Hannes Assmann, Now.

a man of a formidable stature stares at the streets from a large window. he has a military uniform with a red tie. his has thin short silver hair. the iris of his eyes is red with a touch of orange, making his eyes seem more intimidating. he has a defined jawline that makes his face seem sharp. there are multiple scars on the left side of his face. they cover from the neck all the way to the eyebrow. he has pale almost gray lips. 

the man is in a penthouse at the heart of the city. but war has done a pretty job on the city making it seem like a desolated are out of an apocalyptic film. the sun is bright red bringing to light even the darker parts of the city. there is so much decay and destruction.

a man like Hannes can only observe the consequences of his actions without taking the blame. as he is a man incapable of feeling guilt. such an imperfect emotion as guilt can only be reserved by the weak of will or the ones who are wrong. at least those are the rules Hannes plays by ignoring the truth of his actions.

someone knocks on the door. Hannes nods. he pronounces some words in a foreign language.

 an older version of Jack gets inside of the office. time was unkind to Jack. he was clearly above overweight by now. he was bold from the frontal part. there were some long hairs at the sides. he had a long white beard that wasn't enough to cover the double, no. triple chin. his face was full of regret and lack of life. there are some massive eye bags adding torment to his decay. he took slow and loud steps as he makes himself be known. he was pathetic to look at. pitiful. 

"If you're here it better me for a good reason Jack." said Hannes in a monotone tone of voice.

"Sir, no. sorry. my Lord Assmann. I am here as your coffer's advisor to inform you of the lack of funds for the project you plan on bringing to fruition." said the man in a weak trembling voice.

"I like you, Jack. but you're pathetic. not good enough to fit your position. the only reason why I keep you here, is because you are resourceful. you know how to do big with little." said Hannes as he fixes his tie without taking his eyes from the city.

"Yes sir. my lord I will do my best to make it a reality." said Jack lacking the strength to pronounce a single word without showing contempt. 

"I know why you are here. you think working for me is atonement for your past actions. you assume that I am the key to the chastisement that will cleanse your soul of all sins. but you're mistaken Sir Hall. I am no holder of sins, no sin eater. I am like an infant God falling to the realm of mortals to make of it my playground out of a childish and ridiculous tantrum. make no mistake. there is no honor in my kingdom. there is no purge of the soul in my world. there is no chastisement that can redeem you of your past transgressions." said Hannes coldly.  

"I know. and that is an internal struggle for me to carry for the rest of my life. I know it is too late to regret and blame. but can we just end this hell. we had gone too far. there needs to be a stop before crossing too far. not for me, but for your humanity." yields Jack while crying.

Hannes listens to every single word. he never looks back. he never turns around to look at Jack. he knew that man behind him was right. he knew that there needs to be an end. but even so Hannes also knew that it was too late for them. history has already written them up in the books for all eternity as the villains of a tragic tale. and Hannes was waiting for the Dragon slayer who would put a stop to this parody turned tragedy.

Hannes was a man full of hatred. there may be other emotions hidden or overwhelmed by the immense amounts of hatred he was feeling. there was rage on his eyes. he no longer felt human as he observed the hell he has brought to the human realm.

there is some awkward silence. Hannes finally turns around. he observes the man in front of him doubting his actions. he then walks in circus around his desk observing a neon yellow box. he opens the box exposing a pistol. he then looks at Jack.

Jack smiles aware of what is to come. he closes his eyes. there was no hesitation from the man as he had been waiting for this precise moment for the past fifteen years of his life.

"So, you knew." said Jack trying to contain the tears that kept falling.

"No dog should betray their lord. did you expect me to be of deaf ears when your loud exaggerated ego went crawling like a little bitch to him. when you turned against me. my enemies are them. but my allies are worse than them. they are ferocious starved dogs." 

Hannes picks up the pistol. he aims at his trusted ally. he then shoots twice. Jack falls on his knees crying and screaming loudly. he asks for forgiveness as a final attempt putting aside his useless and wounded ego. Hannes mocks him before ending his life in a final shot. the bullet penetrated Jack's heart ending his long and tiresome journey there. 

Hannes claps asking the help to send someone to clean up. they do the cleaning. he is present there but of absent heart. there is no remorse, neither a hint of sadness. there is only one thing he can think. he laments not ending Jack's life any time sooner. it took too long for him to finally put an end to their relationship that started in doubt and ended in betrayal. 

another name to add to the list. another reason for the people to hate him. as Jack was one of the few members of his government that ever helped the people. he laughs like a maniac. is as if today's event has proven him right. he has walked the right path or so he thinks.

Hannes leaves his office behind. he directs himself towards the dungeon. there is something he needs to take out of his chest. a doubt that eats him from inside. there is something that clouds his judgement.

once in the dungeon he is face to face with a wounded beaten up Alfred. it seems like he has seen too many interrogations. his pale complexion hints to a lack of sun. and even under those circumstances he doesn't break. in his eyes the determination to defy his horrible fate.

"Tea and cookies?" ask Hannes making of Alfred a mockery. 

"Yes, please add two cubes of sugar to mine. I am a bit lively as of late. so, two cubes may not even affect my cholesterol." said Alfred in a playful tone.

Hannes pulls a chair as he sits down in front of Alfred. the dungeon was old. rusty. it looked sinister will blood stains everywhere. there are some stains of unknown origin in every corner as a scar of time and a proven truth of the horrors that had come to be in the past.

the lack of light made the environment worse. some of the darker, most brutal views were obscure for the public eye, but the noise and screams added to the dread. the horrifying screams that would keep awake and praying the sane minds. the light would come to illuminate and add focus to some visual parts that would make the strongest man tremble in fear of what awaits in the heart of the dungeon.

"Do you know why I am here? sorry wrong question. let me reframe the narrative from a point in which my question would seem logical. Jack Hall is dead. do you know why?" there was weight in every word Hannes said. even the most absurd question would sound wise.

"Why should I give a damn? hell. I should be clapping and singing praises to the genius who gave you the initiative to erase some dead weight." said Alfred avoiding eye contact.

"Oh, you absurd fool. I am the prime evil to your downfall and here are you dancing at a deaf tone in ignorance. a buffoon you made of yourself." yields Hannes out of rage.

Hannes didn't say a single word. but he was affected by the hints of a fourth party emerging from the shadows. a rabid handful of obstacles. he had to deal with the revolutionary party, he had to deal with the Erase Timers, and now a murder of crows come forth.

he was running out of patience. taking over the world and ruling at his liking was for sure a tiresome task of endurance. he was too old to keep up with every new issue. and even when the odds aren't at his favor. he fights and stands strong just to make a point.

Hannes stands up. he slaps the dust off his jacket. he walks slowly out of the dungeon. he can hear the loud voice of Alfred cursing him. he can feel the resentment in the air. the stares of those he had sentenced to a fate worse than death.