Arc 3 - Chapter 2: It All Started With A Letter

(Octavian 26, 59 / 8:30AM)

She knocked faintly.

“Luke?”

Having one of her hands down to her sides, she had the other adjust her glasses. Her ears loosening the hold, she adjusted them up an inch, all the while she awaited for a simple response. Feeling her eyelashes brush the lenses, Jenny furrowed her brow.

“Luke? Are you in there? David needs you.”

Hearing nothing but silence, Jenny grabbed the handle of Luke’s door, and turned it clockwise. Pushing the door open, she…

“Huh?”

Luke slept on the floor.

The door slightly hitting his body, he held a controller within his right hand. His cheek pressured against the oak, dark eyebags circled around his eyes. But Luke wasn’t the only casualty.

On top of his bed, Jack, Miles, and Stan toppled each other like sardines. All three of them deep asleep, not even the smell of stale soda and pizza woke them up. Leftover pizza boxes stacked beside the TV, it looked to be colored rather than black and white.

On the opposite side of the room, Gary and Diego sat against the wall while they slept. Fulfilling the sight of the overnight game session, Jenny felt a vein sprout out from her right eye.

And looked down at Luke.

“Luke…”

Luke slowly opened his eyes, with crust trying to close them back. Without getting up from the floor, he turned his body around, and sluggishly looked at her. His lips parched, it was as if he ran a marathon in a desert.

“Hey Jenny … cough … Do you need something?”

Several minutes later…

“You all look like shit.”

Six men sat around a kitchen table.

Every one of them gathered dark eyebags, as the sleep deprivation kicked in. Except for Jack, who looked like he had a full night’s rest. With the five of them having coffee mugs in front of them, Jack took the liberty to have himself an energy drink.

With David having a cup of coffee himself, he raised one of his brows while holding the mug.

“What the hell did you guys do?”

“We held a video game tournament, but then it turned casual. From there well … I forgot what happened…”

“Yeah, what he said.” Said Stan.

David sighed, and raised the mug up to his lips. Allowing the all-black coffee to bitter his gums, he rested his cheeks.

“Are those party animals awake I take it?”

Coming out from the hallway, was a man wearing a black suit and a fedora.

Within his right hand, he held a khaki-colored envelope, while his left was inside his suit’s pocket. As everyone turned their attention on him, Luke softly rubbed one of his eyes with his knuckles.

“We’re awake, but barely.”

“Then I hope you’re awake enough to take in this info.”

Standing right in front of Luke, Boris held out the envelope, which led Luke to shyly take it. Grabbing it with soft fingers, Luke let the soft khaki color relax his eyes, before staring back at Boris.

“Who’s this from?”

“It’s a military envelope. The color is used for sending mail to soldiers on or off the battlefield.”

“Wait … what does the military want with us?”

“I suggest reading it.”

Obeying his command, Luke began to open the envelope with his fingers. Tearing apart the khaki color, some of it littered down onto the floor, and onto the table. Unfolding layer after layer of paper, he eventually reached a small white sheet.

Clearing his throat, Luke skimmed through the small line of text.

“It’s from President Reed.”

Everyone went silent.

Watching Luke silently read the title, he also skimmed through the beginning. With David and Boris hovering in back of them, they allowed their eyes to feast on the small writing.

“It’s a summoning. The president wants to see us personally.”

“Not personally. The president wants to hold a military ceremony.” Said Boris.

“But this letter doesn’t say anything about a ceremony.”

“For a genius in chemistry, you don’t excel much in analyzing texts.”

Luke placed the sheet of paper to table, and allowed the front page to be viewed by all. Despite it being important, not a single one of them glanced at it, as the lack of sleep rammed them hard.

Except for Jack, who had his hands in his pockets. Getting up from his seat, his groomed hair already gleamed in the morning sunlight.

“Either way, we saved this city and its people. This ceremony, or meeting or whatever, could finally bring the world to acknowledge the labors of our fruit.”

“I think you mean the fruits of our labor.”

“Whatever. Still, we should go.”

Luke softly scratched his right temple. Turning his attention away from Jack, he settled his unslept eyes on the paper.

If they all went, the Dark Angels will be remembered as heroes. All over the world, every household from the rich to the poor will hear their name. With stardom and popularity only within their grasp, Luke felt his fingers softly quiver.

“Maybe I’m just being a little paranoid…”

“True. It took them a whole month to finally recognize us.” Said Stan.

“Come to think of it, remember that phone call Boris picked up? It was on that same day Lagefor was invaded.”

Stan folded his arms, and allowed his thoughts to run around in his brain. Tapping his right sneaker against the wood, he pushed the corners of his lips down to his jaw, and sprouted a frown.

Until he ceased his tapping.

“Many politicians and personnel were ordered to evacuated; right before the invasion. And the order was given by President Reed himself. But regardless of this coincidence, I highly doubt the President would allow the city to be terrorized.”

Getting up from his seat, Luke turned around to face David and Boris. Straightening his back, Luke had also grabbed the sheet of paper, and then stared only at Boris. While the rest of them sluggishly slouch, Luke himself passed forward the letter.

“Here Boris. I think it’s best we give the President our welcomes.”

As Boris took the paper away, Luke then turned to face the rest of his group. Even though they were missing Luna and Hope, he had pretty much everyone gathered. Placing both of his hands onto his sides, Luke’s smile reached a further altitude.

“I think it’s time we make a name for ourselves.”

“I like the sound of that.” Said Gary.

“Me two.” Said Diego.

“Me three.” Said Stan.

“Me four.” Said Jack.

“You killed it.” Said Miles.

“Y-You killed it!”

Seeing all of them chuckle, it was like they broke the curse that succumbed to drowsiness. Letting his ears tickle by their banter, Luke softly gripped the handle of the mug, and brought the tip to his lips. Drinking the bitter coffee with a wrinkled face, he pushed the mug away from his face.

“Before we settle on a date, I should probably tell Luna and Hope about this.”

Turning his eyes on the group again, he then reached for a simple sugar packet. Ripping the top of it off, he then poured the entirety of it into his mug.

—And also our little goofstar.

________________________________________________________________________

(Octavian 28, 59 8:00AM)

A couple of days later.

Soft knocking nuzzled the oak of the white door. No response given, it left the doorknob to twist, and allowed whoever knocked to enter in. Looking to be a young man, he had light brown hair, and red eyes.

—How messy is she?!

Blankets and pillows littered the wooden floor, with the culprits still in a deep sleep. Despite having a small blanket wrapping around her, most of it hung on the edge of the bed. Her mouth riveted out drool, lines of them traveled down to her throat and chest.

And lastly, her mouth was open, with her vocals colliding themselves to soar …

Heavy snoring.

Luke felt his lips flatline, and shook his head once he exhaled through his nose.

Carefully, he began to step over the many blankets, with some of his boots grazing some of the pillows. Once he reached right in front of her, he analyzed her sleeping face, and recalled the first time they met.

—She took everyone by surprise with her beauty. Until she took everyone by the throat with her anger.

Putting his right hand on her shoulder, he gave her a little nudge. But once he did it twice, her snoring ceased. Trying to nudge her a third time—

A hand gripped his wrist.

Luke remained absolutely still, and held his breath as he saw her open her eyes. Nearly instantly, she glared at him. But instead of tightening his wrist even more, a low groan rumbled against her vocals.

“What do you want?”

“Uh … today is the military ceremony.”

“Not going.”

“But I wrote to them that I’ll make everyone come, that includes you.”

“Still not going.”

Luna turned her body opposite of Luke, as her blankets covered her. And inside her blanket, she gripped an old pillow, her palms feeling the old stains of sweat and drool.

Luke scratched the back of his head, and shyly smiled the more she refused. Unable to see what she wore, even though he didn’t care, the way she dressed reminded him of his mom.

“Luna…”

“Go away.”

“sighs … okay.”

Pushing both of his hands into his pockets, he then twisted his body toward the door. Leaving her alone, he began his walk, but once he reached the doorframe, he stalled.

While staring forward at the hallway’s wall.

“You know … Hope is coming along too.”

“... so?”

“Wouldn’t you like to be there with her? You know, as her friend?”

Luna shuffled from within her bed, and quickly had her eyes feasted on him. Turning his body in return, Luke had a shy grin, but to Luna, it felt like he was smirking at her.

Which pushed a couple of veins to sprout from her right temple.

“Excuse me?”

“Well you guys seem like rivals, but I think deep down, both of you care for one another. Well … mostly you.”

She let go of the pillow she held, and pushed the blanket off with just her feet. Allowing her pajamas to be shown to him, she wore a simple crop top and sweatpants; exactly what Luke predicted. Adjusting herself, she sat on the edge of the bed, and felt her stomach beginning to boil.

“Me and her are not friends!”

“But—”

“None! I don’t want to hear it! You’re making up fantasies! Fiction!”

“Uh Luna … you could be honest with me you know…”

Luna sprang her feet to the floor, and strained her bare toes with the wood below. Having her body be off the bed, she stomped and prowled toward him like she was on a mission. Standing right in front of him, she felt her knuckles creak and shift, pushing her to growl and sneer.

“Hey … you could calm down now … there’s nothing to get mad at—”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut! Up!”

Instead of being angry, he softened his face and along with his cheeks. Radiating a sense of warmth, a sense of kindness that burdened her cheeks pinkish red, she continued to growl amidst her anger … and something else.

“Oh Luna…”

“Ah! You … you manipulative bastard … I’m going! You heard me! You win!”

“But I wasn’t trying to—”

“Get out!”

Taking a step back, Luna slammed her door shut.

Scratching his cheek with one of his fingers, he then turned to his left, and noticed a woman leaning against a wall. Having blonde hair and blue eyes, she watched the event unfold. Her hands clasped together, her somewhat laid-back pose made him softly smile.

“At least she’s going.”

“Honestly, I don’t really care if she’s going or not.”

“I can’t tell the President that our strongest soldier slept in. It would be disrespectful.”

Hope gave him a simple nod, and found her fingers to fidget. Twirling her pointer fingers around, she looked down at them, all the while she allowed her thoughts to circulate. But it didn’t take long, before she slowly lifted her face.

“I want to talk to you about what happened a month ago. It was during the attack on Lagefor, when me and you fought Gemma…”

Luke felt his eyes quiver, once he raised his right hand up to his shoulder. Softly rubbing the leather of his jacket, Luke turned the other way.

Looking down on the carpet, all of the memories from that day flooded in. Unable to look up, his wry smile was replaced with a frown.

“What happened?”

“I uh, I don’t know.”

“You were not like yourself.”

“… I’m sorry.”

He continued to submit to regret, one that swelled and circled around his soul like an invisible hand.

Pushing off from the wall, Hope tapped the floor with her boots, with her hands loose against her sides. Once she reached right in front of him, her face didn’t show an ounce of shyness, but hidden frustration that blemished her nerves. Like a mother scolding a child, Hope could only frown at his guilt.

“Please don’t let that happen again. I thought you went crazy…”

“I-I promise … it won’t happen again I swear.”

“Then pinky promise.”

Taking a small step back, Hope extended her right hand, and stuck out her pinky. Still having that motherly frown etched onto her face, she pushed her blue eyes into his red ones.

Slowly lifting his head from the ground, his breath slowed from the innards of his throat. But even so, he extended out his hand, and took out his pinky. Both of them cradling each other’s finger, she kept eye contact.

“Now make an oath.”

“Uh … I, Luke—”

“Again. You have to be confident.”

“Ok, ok. I, Luke Fenix, will never let my frustration get the better of me.”

Hope continued to keep her pinky locked on him, and continued to stare deep into his red eyes. Both of their irises created a world of purple, with her blue and his red mingling.

Keeping her motherly scowl, Hope raised her right eyebrow.

“And?”

“And I promise to keep my promises … i-is that all?”

Hope finally let go of her pinky, and pulled back her hand. Letting out a simple exhale of air, her breath blew from her thin lips. And at long last, a small cheery grin replaced her frown.

“Thank you Luke.”

Pushing a strand of hair away from her forehead, she then walked toward her room. Waving off Luke, Luke returned it back, before straightening his back along with his legs.

Walking the opposite way, he began his trek toward an old oak wood door. Using only his right hand, he didn’t need to turn the handle, once he set foot within the garden.

Feeling the cold morning air bristle his skin, he saw his own breath but only softly. Having his boots crunch the grass, he placed his hands in his pockets, before reaching his destination at last.

“Looks like you need a trimming.”

—In front of him, was a tombstone surrounded by sunflowers.—

Glancing down at a set of shears, they looked to be the size of scissors. Grappling it with his cold hand, he bent down halfway, while keeping his eyes on the new grave. No dust trailed from the top, or on the sides. Being maintained with care, some of the smoothened surface slightly glowed.

Hunching his head forward, he began trimming the sunflowers one by one.

“After everything we went through, we’re finally getting the recognition that you wanted. You could’ve had a date with your favorite guitarist. James Heefield right?”

Snip after snip, stems and small branches nestled against his boots. Feeling the air beginning to warm, the sun began to break the dreaded cold. But even so, the chilly wind wouldn’t stop. Pushing his heart to every snip, he slowly nodded at the haircut he bestowed.

“But you told us to move forward; told me to move forward. And honestly … sometimes I feel like you did the most out of everybody…”

Finishing his trimming, he settled the shears near the tombstone. Straightening his body, he then extended his hand forward, and pressed his palm on the stone.

And smiled.

“So rest.”

Pulling his hand back, he turned his body the other way, and walked toward the building. Feeling the bottom of his pants cultivate dew, and having his hands in his pockets, he couldn’t see his breath.

As the sun began to glow against his face.

“You did more…”

He heard a voice. Soft and mellow like a forbidden whisper.

Glancing around him, he had one of his eyebrows raised. Turning his head back, he glued his eyes on the tombstone, which softly glowed underneath the sunlight. Having that same smile, he shyly chuckled…

Before entering the main building.