Vol 2 Ch 7(Sam)(B): Link-Set (Part 2/2)

I expected the final trial to be some major boss battle, maybe some difficult puzzle compared to the easy ones before. But...it was just two chairs.

"The hell is this?" Well technically, I noticed there were two.

"It's...just chairs..."I was confused. Lee and I walked over to it and circled the chairs, seeing if anything seemed off.

"Maybe this is some Saw puzzle" Lee looked excited...masochist much?

"Why would we be punished though? Isn't the whole point of the movies is that the stupid puppet goes after criminals? Surviving in a zombie apocalypse doesn't really seem like a punishable offense to me"

"Wooaah, relax detective, when'd you get a sense of law?"

"Always did, just never had a reason to act mature"

"Huh?" Lee looked at me confused

"Focus on the room." We continued looking around, that was until the wall opened up, and Raymond and one other robed person walked out.

"It's not some puzzle, relax and sit down." I was getting some major Dejá Vu, didn't I get jabbed in the head last time I sat down with some robed guy? "You're not gonna die, sit" Raymond's voice started to get more passive-aggressive.

"Alright! Come on Sam, we kinda knew we would've been in pain didn't we?" Lee sat down reluctantly...I guess he was right I was the one who dragged him to do it...and I knew it would be painful...so...I sat down and took a deep breath.

"Now, the main question, chained down or free?" Huh?

"Is it really that painful that we need to be chained down?" I could feel myself getting anxious. I already now what that pain is like even if it wasn't a Partner li-...or was it? Raymond said it helps share powers...maybe me and Lee already have it if I was able to time travel.

"Well, it's more of an urge to kill us that we're trying to prevent...and also incredible pain but you already knew that." I did...I sat down and waited "So?"

"I'll be fine unchained. I doubt the ruler of Eaxura is weaker than me" I might as well taunt Raymond if I'm gonna be in incredible pain.

"Riiight, Lee?"

"I'll be fine"

"Alright then, don't try and kill me since you asked for this." He motioned for the robed guy to do whatever. Said robed guy walked over to us...err, now that I got a closer look I noticed their face.

"Alice?" I haven't seen her in ages...and yet it felt calming to know she was here...I had a sister named Alice...maybe...just maybe.

"Press Yes on your hud when you're ready" Alice made sure I saw the button, but I read the wall of text before I did

Partner-Link
A Partner link is permanent, the only way to remove it is by certain magical spells
or, if either partner is killed. Partner-Link allows both users to share abilities, and use a modified version of PTS (Partner version is called Partner Telekinetic Speech instead of Personal) That allows you to use it even when magic is disabled. Once a Partner-Link is made you will not be able to leave a certain team menu made specifically for the duo, meaning that even if you disable your team on one hud, your partner will still appear.

Great for what Lee pulled before

Co-op abilities that are obtainable through Partner-links are unique to the duo, and are not able to be activated unless near the other person, or if both members use it.
Other things are possible through Partner-Link, but tends to happen due to an agreement made by the duo, meaning, things may happen that negatively affect both sides, so it is recommended you partner with someone close to you so those negative effects are more rare. There is also an ability to share memories, though it can have some strain on the mind.

Even though not all pros and cons are mentioned here, do you wish to partner with
Lee Ancke#&((

Yes
No

Damn it! I thought it was going to say it all! But...it was an extra letter. I pressed Yes

Waiting on Partner...

Huh, wonder what's taking Lee so long.

"Oh! I gave Lee the button that does the final thing...Making sure, you both want this right?

"Yeah, of course!"I nodded as well

"Alright then, go ahead Lee" Alice stood up and gave stood at a distance. I heard something pop and when I looked over at the noise I saw Lee pop the cap off a button case.

"Ready?" He looked at me, all I could do was nod. "Alright then" He raised his thumb and with as much force as he could, pressed the button. As he did I felt a shock run through my veins, every part of me felt like it was burning, like I was being stabbed again and again. I heard a thud as Lee slammed a fist on the armrest of the chair. I could feel my arms go numb as the pain started going solely to my wrists.

"Y-You B-Bastard!" I just shouted out of pure anger, I wanted to stand up and kill Raymond. But when I tried to stand I fell over onto the floor laying on my side and my legs started to tingle. I never really notices until now, but my sense of smell was gone since I first became a DT, but with this it started coming back, and I could smell something metallic.

"Right-handed or left?" Alice knelt beside me. I wanted to ask, if maybe she was my sister, but all I could do was whimper as I felt tears go down my face, and Alice seemed to notice. "Sorry, I was meant to take care of you" ...is she saying that as a Siste- "After all, that's what a DT handler is for" D-damnit... Just when I thought I could reunite with a family member... "I'll take you as a righty" I could feel myself starting to get hazy, but I still had the sight to see Alice summon something pointed...I know Lee had a feeling earlier about not trusting them...but I started getting that feeling too. I wanted to move away from it but she grabbed my right hand and injected something into my wrist, the more and more that was injected into me, the more and more my hand felt inflamed.

"STOP!" Even while whimpering I was able to scream, I felt something in my hand, I didn't care what it was, I grabbed onto whatever it was and swung it over, slamming it onto Alice.

"Agh! Damnit Sam" She jumped up and walked backward. The only thing I could hear was my own heavy breathing. My vision slowly came to and I saw myself holding my own dagger, and blood started to run down the serrated edge. I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized what I was looking at, and what it insinuated.

"Come on, It's over" A foot landed in front of me, when I looked up I saw Lee extending a hand, his face was pale and I could feel my heart pound as I saw blood dripping from his wrist. "We agreed to this...to be fair though" I took his hand as he helped me up "I didn't think it would be so painful." The minute I stood up my legs started wobbling, but Lee kept me up as he held my arm up. "It takes a second."

"You two alright?" Alice walked back to us, holding her face as blood dripped down it, Raymond was nowhere to be seen.

"I-I'm sorry..." I practically mumbled and whimpered the words out, but it seemed like she understood what I was saying anyway.

"It's fine, you're not the first who tried to stab me, you are the first person who did manage to stab me though" I let out some form of forced laugh, well, however you consider a mess of tears and choking on my own saliva to be.

"Seriously, are you alright" The question was directed solely at me. "Lee seems to be fine...which concerns me...but we'll talk about that later"

"I-I think I'm alright..." I tried taking a step forward but almost fell over again before Lee caught me.

"Are you really?" I faced Lee and saw a stern look on his face "If you're not I can help you walk until you're better"

"...fine" Lee put my right arm around his shoulder, allowing me to lean on him. "Y-you know" I started wiping my tears with my left hand and took a breath. "I thought of something"

"What is it?" Alice put her left hand on her hip as she looked at us.

"Why didn't we go through tests after we got a link? Wouldn't that have made sense?" The second I said that I saw Alice get nervous.

"W-Well, if we're being honest...you weren't really meant to go through those tests" She went to some high mature figure, to someone fiddling with their thumbs. "We umm, thought you were coming in yesterday so we had to...'haphazardly' set it up...so it may have been more painful than it should've been, so we had the 'tests' to try and slow you down a bit"

"So let me get this straight, us getting through the tests quick, us wanting to get the pain over with, only made it worse!?" I could hear Lee getting pissed off, I on the other hand, didn't have the energy.

"Well I mean, we agreed to tomorrow, it isn't our fault you guys insisted on doing it today even with the warnings. Making a partner-Link is unique...actually, it's painful at first but should turn to bliss later on...it really only burns for the entire thing if you have unresolved trauma between each other...there something I'm not understanding?" Unresolved trauma?...I don't recall me and Lee ever getting into fights, maybe in teasing matches but...we don't hate each other...I looked at Lee, he seemed just as confused as I did. "Eh, maybe just something unresolved, it doesn't have to be trauma, anyways, this is where it ends, since Partner-Link powers are unique to the duo, I can't really teach you anything" I see what Lee means when he says this place sucks, Hell, the Madoka that wanted Lee dead taught me more than these guys. "There is one thing I can tell you though" I looked back at Ma-umm Alice.

"That is?" As Lee and Alice chatted I could feel my legs become less numb, and I could start standing on my own more.

"It's hard to get used to since you both have to do it at the same time, but do this" She clenched her hand, pressing her fingers into the middle of her palm. Both Lee and I followed suit, and as we did, a chain formed on our wrists, my right, and his left, that connected us.

"The hell is this?"

"Don't worry, it's not like it restricts movement, the only way it'll stop getting longer is if you grab onto the chains, so an example, you can grab onto the chain and toss each other, it can make it so they basically weigh nothing if you toss them using the chain."

"And? Is there any other reason to have this?"

"Trip enemies, choke enemies, it boosts co-op abilities though it's not needed to use them, it can stop stuff like kidnapping since you can grab onto the chain and prevent it from extending...god only knows how many terrible people are in Zullo...Zullo is the multiverse by the way if you weren't told...well...Zullo is this multiverse, there are probably more."

"Go o- Oh, are you alright now?" As Lee was asking Alice to continue I stood up on my own and Lee noticed. "Or do you still want my help?"

"I should be alright"

"Back to what I was saying you two, remember, the stronger the bond, the stronger the magic, and agreements that the two of you make can change powers that you have, and how the chain works, so who knows, maybe you can make the chain into some firey hellspawn summoner, it can really become anything you two can think of" I tried thinking of something, I doubt it would work, but I thought of the chain turning white-ish pink since it represents the both of us, and to my surprise it did, a glossy coating was on the entire thing, it was pretty bright to look at. "Well, it seems you umm, both already had an idea of what you wanted...Oh! To remove the chains just do the same thing, except to remove the chains it only needs one person" Even with what she said, we both did it, causing the chains to disappear.

"I see why you asked which hand we preferred now" I touched my wrist, the wrist the syringe injected into, and where the chains appeared.

"You got a choice?" Lee looked at me, then Alice.

"Well, we can't exactly have it so you both have it on your right wrist, it would just keep tripping the both of you."

"That's fair" Lee circled his right hand around his formerly chained wrist.

"That's it, get out there and learn your duo abilities, and remember, removing the partner-Link is over five-thousand times more painful than putting it on."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"Don't worry about it, after all, you two got along really well as humans" Wait how would she know? As she was leaving the room, she leaned her head back and looked over at me, sending herself of with a wink...I was sure of it, this had to be my sister. The Name, the way she acts, her both Mature and childish nature, there was no doubt in my mind.

"Hey um, Lee, I'll be right back! You go do whatever!" I took a few steps forward and started running, only to end up landing face first as the numbness came back.

"Well, it's clear you're not fine yet" I heard footsteps walk behind me and two arms go under my arms, I was lifted up and put on my feet...I really don't weigh much to him, do I? As he lifted me up I thought of trying something.

PTS (Partner Version)

"Right, cause yo-

"Ohayo!" I saw Lee jump...Why was he already talking?

"You...

"Who were you talking to?" I saw Lee look reluctant.

"You know what, there's no point in hiding things from you anymore, you have a nack for figuring things out about me. You meet Yuna yet?"

"The girl who kinda resembles you and calls herself your subconscious?"

"...yeah...actually, so I guess she did talk to you earlier"

"And I'm still here!" Out of nowhere, the devil we were just speaking of appeared in between us. "Your's truly Yuna Anckerb-" She stopped herself, and to my surprise Lee ran up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Finish it! You know what it is!" Apparently grabbing your subconscious is possible.

"Wh-whaaaa, I don't know it, after all, If I know it, that means you do"

"What is it with your cryptic Bulls-

"What're you even gonna do?" I just watched the events unfold, I didn't even know what to say.

"What? What do you mean?" He let go of Yuna

"Ahh, duh? Exactly what I said, what is learning your real last name gonna do for you? 'Ohhh, I learned my last name, I've now learned the ways of the multiverse and have gained ultimate power' is that what you expect to happen? Who knows, maybe your family are terrible people who've committed genocide, maybe they're terrorists, after all, why would your real family try and make you forget who they are, if they're such good people?" I could see realization reach Lee...even I agreed with Yuna, what would be the point in learning his last name.

"Even so, I need to know... Maybe...Maybe I can start to understand why killing comes naturally to me..." I...understood what he meant, whenever we were in danger back during that apocalypse, he would kill the person who threatened us with no remorse...it...kinda made me fear Lee, and what would happen if he went back to that way of thinking.

"Oh...or is it because you want to know what that guy meant when he said you'd understand someday?"

"Don't start imprinting your ideas onto me"

"Ain't someone in denial...alright then Lee, do whatever you want, if you need me then you know what to do" And with that she was gone, and a now more anxious Lee was left.

PTS Off

"You alright" I leaned against the wall near the door.

"I think so...so, what did you try and bail on me for?"

"Well...I think Alice is my sister...if we're being honest"

"I had a feeling that was the case, it felt like I was dealing with two Sams"

"hmpf" I crossed my arms.

"Sorry, sorry, It's true though" I smiled and uncrossed my arms

"Yeah, I know, just messing with ya"

"So, still wanna go after her?"

"No...as you can see I can't exactly chase anyone in this state" I looked around the room more, it really was just the two chairs which seemed weird considering the room was massive, I started looking more down and when I got to where Lee was standing, I noticed something on his head. "You have the rose!" My random outburst seemed to startle Lee.

"W-What?" He touched around his head and soon gently pressed against the pink rose. "Huh" He looked at me "You have it too, it's white though"

"I guess our roses represent each other, cute!" I could feel myself smiling, yet my grip on the wall loosened, causing me to slip a bit before I caught my barring.

"Still the same I see" Lee walked over to me and summoned a med-kit, opening it and kneeling down.

"When'd you get a med-kit?" I slouched down the wall and sat down.

"Dunno, it was just in my hud inventory, guess Nicholai meant it when she said she'd train me to be a medic. And I don't really trust myself with medical magic...come on, lemme see that hand of yours" I knew why, I could guess it was still bleeding from that syringe as I felt warmth on my hand.

"Here..." Without looking I raised my hand to Lee, I could feel something wrap around my arm.

"You know, I've been wondering, how long have we known each other?"

"Since birth so...15? 14? years?" My arm started to sting.

"And yet, I still have no clue why you're so afraid of blo-

"How're you so calm with it?" I felt like my question held more meaning, many people are afraid of blood for many reasons, but I don't know many people who are so ice coldly calm with it.

"Same reason why killing comes naturally"

"Which is?"

"I don't know" After he said that I felt a tug on my arm, causing the bandages to get tighter. "Trust me, I which I knew...we're done by the way, you can look at your hand without seeing blood now." I looked back over at my hand, even I could tell that it was slightly sloppy "I tried, it was just so you didn't see blood anyways"

"Thank you" I slid up the wall, using it as support, I got off of the wall and started standing on my own.

"Well, you're welcome" He stood up and went to the door, opening it. "Come on, let's get going" It was kinda difficult, but I managed to walk over to the door and exit out of it. Thinking about it now, I never really had a chance to look at the city, it was stunning, the neon lights were pretty to look at, and I didn't exactly expect cars to be driving when teleportation magic is a thing...Now that I had a chance to talk to Lee one-on-one I decided to ask.

"Those journals...I'm sure you've read at least one page...do...you have any idea what they're talking about?" Lee exited the building and stood beside me.

"Do you still have your pages?" He looked at me, if we could keep our memories and some things in our inventory changed, maybe I still have it. I checked and I did

"Yeah, I do"

"Here then" He popped up his hud and took something out, more pages, it seemed like his was more focused o-...my killer...me and Kenneth's killer "Yeah, I know how weird it sounds...back during our first assignment I got some vision of the future, or at least some version of it...It was a reality where you and Kenneth died, Crystal as you can probably read was also there...overall, there really isn't much. I handed him the pages I had, he only seemed more confused. "Really makes it sound like I'm destined to die..." I could see the sorrow on his face, when he saw me though it turned into a more neutral look. "We should go and catch up with the others, for all we know they're gone by now."

"Alright, let's go then" Lee and I started walking...we didn't know where though, we never really explored Eaxura.

"They've probably gone home" While Lee talked I felt something drip onto the top of my head, then again, then again. "Well, it looks like it can rain in Eaxura as well" I looked up and saw clouds, this place was really giving off a home-like feeling.

"It's been awhile since we've seen rain huh?"

"Well, if this place really is like earth then there may be places that give out free umbrellas" I could tell he was looking around sparaticlly "You know you think some magical floating island would have something to tell us what's a store"

"What about our huds?" I opened mine and went to the map section, surprisingly every store was labeled, not only were they labeled but it also mentioned that they gave free supplies, rain boots, umbrellas, stuff like that. "Here" I moved my hud to Lee as he looked at it, he looked to his left and after a few seconds responded.

"It should be over there" He walked to the edge of the sidewalk and waited...the button was right beside him...

"What're you waiting for?" I walked next to him.

"The walk thing to turn green"

"Umm" A part of me wanted to stay quiet and see how long it would take for him to realize, yet I didn't want to get drenched...I waited for a few seconds, then saw Lee's head tilt to the left, seeing the pole next to him with the button

"Aww fuck off" He slammed his fist against it and after a second or two the walking light turned green. The two of us went along the paint on the floor signaling us to walk in it, I could feel laughter building up in me until Lee spoke again "Not a word, I'm not used to those stupid buttons" Well I guess Lee did live a sheltered life...

"Alright, I'll let you off for now" We made it across to the other sidewalk, continuing the trek to the store...I think Lee knows we can teleport...but I guess walking through the rain is more peaceful, hearing the rain hit our clothes and the floor as the Neon lights shined brighter in the dark, was...peaceful. "Hey Lee, what'dya think our next mission is gonna b-

"Here" Interrupting my question I felt a small bar nudge me, I looked to my right and saw Nicholai holding an umbrella and Kenneth walking past her with one as well. "We saw you guys earlier and tried calling out, but I guess we were too far"

"Here you go" Kenneth handed Lee one, every umbrella was based off our hair color.

"Really?" Lee asked as he noticed it too

"heh, at least you can tell which is yours" Kenneth taunted. We all stood together at the side walk, Lee and Kenneth were in front while me and Nicholai were in the back. "By the way, to answer your question, we got a day off tomorrow, then after that we'll be getting our next mission"

"Of course, if you two are really that energetic, you can of course, get some side job" I heard Nicholai's voice beside me.

"Like a side quest" I said cheerfully.

"Yeah, hey, how about we all go eat somewhere" Lee was combing his hair with his headband as water started dripping out.

"With what money?" Me and Lee both got stunned, right, I don't think we got any many during out missions...to be fair though, we never went back to Eaxura, and my time back was really short. "I'm kidding...you guys don't have much after that spending spree but it should be enough for food"

"Yes, it was a terrible idea" I played it off, hoping that neither Nicholai or Kenneth knew.

(Partner Version)PTS Active

Sam: If I may ask...why are we hiding your time travel power from them?

Lee: Well, it isn't because you guys tried hunting me down because you suspected that I wrote some stupid journal

Sam: You hid it from us even before that...b-but...I guess I should apologize for that...I'm sorry

Lee: ...i-it's alright...thank you...I...didn't really want to hide it from you guys...I guess I was just scared...Raymond...Kai...both just give me this terrible feeling and I didn't know what they could do if they found out through you.

Sam: But Kai was our teacher in school wasn't he? What reason would we be scared of him

Lee: ...Y-Yes...that may be true but...where'd he go? I know our memory ever since we became DTs have been shotty, but...you think we'd remember how he died

I felt something pull me back as I saw something zoom past my face.

"Pay attention damnit!" Nicholai pulled me back onto the sidewalk "What's with you two?" I looked to my left and saw Kenneth dragging Lee back onto the sidewalk as well.

PTS Deactive

"We were just talking about something using PTS, maybe that's why we didn't pay attention since it uses our brain" Lee rambled, technically telling the truth.

"So you're testing out your co-op things...alright, I guess that makes sense." Nicholai let go of me "Come on, most restaurants are probably packed right now, we should hurry before they're full"

"Don't worry, I already got a reservation" Kenneth adjusted his goggles in a cocky manner.

"How?" Nicholai looked at him as we all continued to walk.

"Well, I was going to do it to hype Lee and Sam up for their partner-link, but they just did it randomly today, so I guess consider it a celebration that you didn't get hospitalized" W-Wait we could get hospitalized!?

"Th-Th-t...that's a joke right?" I looked at Kenneth in concern.

"Nope...that one wasn't a joke" I could hear Lee chuckle nerviously from Kenneth's response.

"Let's just ignore that and go eat" I redirected the conversation.

"Sure, I mean we're already here" Right as Kenneth said that, all of us came to a stop. He went to the door and opened it. "Ladie-" Lee gave him a death glare. "hehe" I guess even in this timeline we joke about him looking like a girl...although...I don't really see it like that anymore. We all walked into the restaurant, it seemed kinda fancy...this really didn't seem like somewhere we would go, I wouldn't really call us formal people after all.

"Ah, First and Second Lieutenant, what brings you two here" He looked at me and Lee when he said that...I was a Lieutenant in this timeline?

PTS Active

Sam: lee~

Lee: A Lieutenant is someone who leads...about 2-4 squads if I remember, so 16-45? 44? soldiers?

Sam: Who in their right mind gave me that power!?

Lee: We're part of the same team so I assume we lead them together

Sam: Well...that's better I guess.

PTS Deactive

"Umm? You two alright?" The waiter asked us.

"Abusing PTS huh?" Nicholai looked at us with a smirk "Anyways, we're here because Kenneth put a reservation."

"Ahh, I see, just a moment" The guy opened up a thin book and skimmed through it. "Here you are, if you will, I'll lead you to your seat" The four of us followed him, he lead us to booth seats near the window, Kenneth and Nicholai sat across from us with Nicholai at the window, and on me and Lee's side, I sat near the window.

"So, what's everyone havin?" Kenneth balanced one of the menus on his finger, pressing it onto the table.

"Just Chicken and some shrimp is fine for me" Lee continued to look around the place, he was probably judging it.

"Drink?" Kenneth was still balancing it.

"Wine~" He said in a joking matter.

"sure" And yet to me, Lee, and Nicholai's surprise Kenneth agreed to it.

"W-wait Wah?" I looked at Kenneth but is expression didn't change.

"I mean, we already died once, and you heard Raymond, we can't get killed in Eaxura, or really get injured...unless under certain conditions like training, so I don't really see why not, hell I've seen people get married at our age here, so clearly earth's normal laws don't apply here"

"Well in that case, I mean it, Wine!" Lee seemed amped up.

"Sam?" It was weird that Kenneth wasn't asking Nicholai what she wanted, well, maybe they just used PTS, or maybe Kenneth also realized that she was looking at something out the window...it was kinda peaceful looking out it, the sound of the rain, cars driving by, the lights buzzing...it gave of a nice sound that I could drift to sleep w- "Sam? Your order?"

"hu-O-oh, umm." I've never really been to a restaurant...I was so used to eating just hospital food...a part of me missed that though, being with my family, Lee, the Nurses were nice too, but...Maybe I could go back to that dimension and find them...even if they're alive or dead..."I...I guess Udon Soup? Maybe? If they have it...and I'm fine with any drink" Lee looked amped again "That's not alcohlic of course" Lee slouched down after that. Kenneth raised his menu as a waitress came by.

"What can I get you four?" Kenneth took a deep breath and began our orders.

"Chicken and shrimp, Udon Soup, and two Sandwiches with a specific recipe, which I'll send to you in a second, and for drinks, Wine, Juice, and..." He looked at me, still conflicted. He started doing a circular motion with his hands, I assume he wanted me to answer...I mean, I know what I said...but I heard Wine is good with some foods, maybe not udon but...

"Wine...is fine..."

"Well then, I guess two glasses of wine" While Kenneth continued talking I saw Nicholai look at me with a confused look as she shrugged.

PTS Active

Lee: What happened to no alcohol

Sam: uhuh...I just thought of it

Lee: Well, you don't have to drink it if you don't want to

Sam: I know

PTS Deactive

My head started feeling a bit tingy as it felt like static was going through my head, maybe I should stop using PTS for a bit. Maybe the messaging version would be less work.

"Alright, I'll go get you four your orders" The Waitress left us, Lee slouched onto the table, resting his head on his arms.

"Say, have you seen the update to our huds? It allows us to choose missions instead of going to the person themselves and getting it then" Kenneth had Dave in his arms, I guess it was cloaked. It really was a cute robot.

"I saw something like that, didn't really know what it was though" Lee took out a small box, Pocky, hehe, I remember when I got him into it, guy doesn't really eat anything other than pocky...I wonder how he hasn't starved yet. I opened up my hud and looked for whatever they were talking about, soon, I found it, a few of missions were there

Corruption Hunting(New Min)
Time Left: 3D,15H,20M
Difficulty: CSF Level Threat

Description: Corruptors have been sighted in the New Min region, support of any kind is appreciated

Payment: 125,000$
View More...

Escort Request (Talo)
Time Left: 12H,30M
Difficulty: Recruit Level

Description: I heard that the Talo Dimension is really hostile, yet I need to get something that only grows in that world, I would appreciate some help

Payment: Permanent Discount for Zeek's Medical and Warfare Kits, 5,000$
View More...


Job Assist (Eaxura)
Time Left: 1D,13H,40M
Difficulty: Civilian Level

Description: My best employee left to join the CSF! And now we're understaffed, please anyone that's good with waiting tables or even cooking reply!

Payment: Free Food for as long as you work, and increased pay.
View More...

It seemed like these jobs became less, and less professional .

"And here you are" I pushed away my hud, causing it to vanish as I saw the waitress setting down the food, even though we didn't really ask for some grand presentation, it all looked really good.

"Here you go" Kenneth slid our food to us, Lee almost immediately started eating. "And here you go" Kenneth grabbed one of the plates with the sandwich and set one to Nicholai while he took the other one. I grabbed our glasses and set them near us as Kenneth and Nicholai took theirs.

"So, any jobs that caught your eye?" Nicholai started talking to me as she ate.

"eheh, well, the corruption one did but...we're probably get destroyed" I could get over confident every now and again, but if the difficulty is CSF, something I didn't even know of, then I knew I was outclassed.

"Agreed, I can be dumb sometimes but that's suicide" Lee popped a shrimp in his mouth.

"Well, from what I saw you didn't scroll all the way, maybe there's something else" Kenneth drank a bit after he talked...I kinda like how we seemed to just ignore the other two, hehe. I reopened my hud and continued from where I left off

Reunion Defense Mission(New Min)
Time Left: 3H, 40M
Difficulty: 3-Man squad

Description: It was reported that an attack from the Reunion will be aimed at a DT settlement in the Talo Dimension, support of any squad would be appreciated

Payment: Whatever loot The Reunion Leave behind when they're dead, 15,000$
View More...

Robbing the dead huh....

"Seems like something we could do" Lee leaned next to me as he looked at my hud. "How do you all feel about the Reunion defense mission?"

"You're the boss, I don't really mind" Nicholai finished her food and drink, and while I finished my food, I was still hesitant...the whole reason I got it was to add it...but...When I looked back at Lee he was already finished, yet when he finished drinking he coughed a bit

"Y-yep! That's what I expected" He continued coughing for a few more seconds to Nicholai's worry, until he soon stopped. "Tastes and feels good yet burns my throat...damn..." Kenneth finished tinkering with Dave then looked up at us.

"I wouldn't mind the mission, it's something to do" Lee smiled at Kenneth's words and pulled up his own hud, he pressed onto the mission and I saw the rest

Reunion Defense Mission(New Min)
Time Left: 3H, 40M
Difficulty: 3-Man squad

Description: It was reported that an attack from the Reunion will be aimed at a DT settlement in the Talo Dimension, support of any squad would be appreciated

Payment: Whatever loot The Reunion Leave behind when they're dead, 15,000$

Mission Giver: Raymond Bell

Extra Info: None

Huh...Was it the Raymond I was thinking of? The district ruler one? It wasn't really much more than what I could already see before. Lee pressed something that I couldn't see from where I was and soon.

Mission Accepted: Reunion Defense Mission Located in New Min

"Was that really a good idea?" Nicholai looked at us.

"Why not?" Lee forced his hud to shutdown.

"Do you even know how to get to New Min on your own?"

"Of course I do, we just need some help from someone who's been there before" Lee continued drin- wait...I thought he finished it. I looked at my glass and saw it was gone.

"Lee!"

"What? You weren't gonna drink it" ...Lee...was right...and wrong...I wanted to...but kinda didn't. Lee's face got a bit red but he seemed fine.

"Getting tipsy? Maybe we should leave and do it with just us three, it did say three-man squad" Nicholai started taunting Lee.

"Hell no! I can fight and think the same, a little bit of wine isn't gonna impact me" After pausing for a second, Lee stood up from his seat "I'll be back in a sec" He walked out the door to the restaurant, and I could tell that everyone was curious.

"He didn't just bail and leave the bill on us did he?" Nicholai looked out the window to see whatever Lee was doing.

"He's not that much of a scum, he'll be back" Kenneth rested his head on his left arm as he looked at the window, I looked out as well. After walking to the other side of the road he summoned his sword.

"Umm" I leaned closer to the window and watched. He slashed his sword in the air a few times and opened a portal.

"Yeaaaah, what about not leaving us?" Nicholai mocked Kenneth, but instead, he just pointed back at Lee, when we looked at what he wanted us to see, we noticed Lee stopped, and soon he stepped back gripping his head as the portal disappeared. He leaned against the wall he was near and slid down it, now sitting against it.

"What the hell is with him?" I stood up from my seat and went to the door.

"What happened to paying!?" I could tell Nicholai wasn't actually mad, and in response I decided to joke as well. I put my head against my right hand which was in a fist and stuck out my tongue while speaking in a childish voice.

"eheh, you said it yourself, we don't got money" I went back to normal and darted after Lee, having to stop a bit due to traffic. When I got across the road, however, Lee was already trying to stand up on his own. "You alright? What happened?"

"I-I dunno, this sudden urge to go somewhere came over me...and...it was like someone else was controlling me...hehe, I guess no alcohol for me." He leaned against the wall as his legs wobbled.

"Think it has something to do with it being midnight" I heard Kenneth's voice behind me, him and Nicholai had walked over. "You did this right as it hit midnight, but it's just an assumption" I wanted to say something, but I wasn't sure if Lee wanted me to, I looked over at him, I saw him take a deep breath, then nod.

"Or Yuna" As I said that both Kenneth and Nicholai looked at me with a confused expression.

"Who the hell is Yuna?" Nicholai crossed her arms as she waited for an answer.

"I..." I looked at Lee "We don't really know either, she keeps calling herself Lee's subconscious, and from what I witnessed before, she could implant ideas into Lee's head, so that may be the cause."

"..."Kenenth sighed "Alright, well...how about we go into your memories?" He looked at me "You can do that now after all, maybe we can find out something about Yuna."

"I...I don't know how though" Nicholai scoffed when she heard me say that.

"Well, Kai was right then...alright come here, it really isn't hard" Nicholai walked up to me and stood at my side, while Kenneth went to support Lee. "Pull up your hud" I did as she said "Partner Menu"...It took awhile, as I don't remember there being one, but I found it and pressed it. "Obviously press Lee's name" Both my name and Lee's were there, but I did as she said and pressed Lee's. "There should be something about memories, I dunno, I didn't really hear Kai's explanation all the way, guy had to do something halfway through it." There was something that matched what she said, but it went by something else 'Memory Lane' alright then. I pressed it

Waiting for Partner's Consent...

After that a long line popped up, it showed years, months, and even days, all of them were Lee's memories, I scrolled to the beginning...locked...

"Why is a memory locked?" I peered past my hud and looked at Lee.

"I...don't know"

"You did mention that you had some memories that seemed to just...vanish" I assumed these were it...but...how would this magic know what Lee's forgotten. Almost all of his memories from ages 1-6 were locked...we've known each other since birth...I would've known if something happened right, the only memories that weren't locked were ones that included me, Kenneth, or Nicholai...so at least our memories of the time we spent together weren't fake...no...even then they could be. I continued scrolling past...locked...locked...eventually, they stopped being locked, but only after he became a twelve-year-old, everything past that was unlocked...even our time during the apocalyp- no...there was something there that was locked...two of them, after we died...and something else...something when Lee was alone...If these memories were locked, could it be trauma? But how would someone be so traumatized that they can function...at least semi-normal, yet have their entire childhood locked...Alice said that too...the reason why it hurt so much was because of unresolved issues, but that should've been just between the two of us...was I involved in something traumatic with Lee...did I erase that memory as well?

"W...We can figure it out later." Lee looked at me through the hud. "Don't think too much about it, we can just ask Raymond for answers, especially since he 'supposedly' found us right as we died, so we can at least get answers for one of my memories." I believed Lee...but, something still confused me, we were injected with something when we became DTs...Lee...Lee didn't... "The mission will be starting soon...we should get going"

"Of...course"

"Something wrong Sam?" He got off Kenneth's shoulders. He started walking towards me, yet someone warped in front of us before he could say anything.

"Bravo Team, you signed up for that mission right?" Raymond stood in between us. "I can bring you to the dropship you'll be taking, you'll be going with two other squads. Lee, you're, of course, in charge of your team, but otherwise, you'll be following team Zelot's orders...to put it simply, the chain of command for this is

3. Cinder Team,
2. Bravo Team, and then
1. Zelot Team"

"Alright..." Lee was using his sword as a crutch.

"You alright?" Raymond saw how Lee was, Lee took another deep breath.

"Of course...Everything is fine" Lee had this pissed-off look...I thought he would be talking to Raymond about his memory...I guess we'll be handling that later.

"Alright then, come on, let's get going" Raymond summoned a blunt mace, and with a swing summoned a portal just like how Lee did. "In you go" We followed his lead and entered the portal. We were brought onto the outside of a dropship, right at its door. We were already in gear, but it was all drenched. "Don't worry about it, it's also raining on New Min, doesn't matter if you're dry or not." He walked onto the ship.

"And what're you doing?" Lee questioned Raymond as we all went onto the ship.

"Well, I am part of Zelot Squad"

"The ruler of an entire 500 million population city, risking his life?" Lee taunted.

"Well, if I can't even fight the Reunion, how do I intend to protect Eaxura if it ever gains the allure of the corruptors, you already saw the massacre during the trials." So the attack during the trials still happened. "I must say, you've got guts going in there and risking your life for recruits" And yet, from what Raymond is saying, we weren't part of it, and I could see the confusion on Lee's face.

"O-of course, a Lieutenant's job is to protect his potential future units." We entered the dropship and saw everyone, Matt, Cally, Cypher, Kai, Alice, and of course Raymond.

"Hey Ken and Nichi!" Cally called out.

"Great, we have you with us" Nicholai sat beside Cally and took out a book.

"Don't just ignore your sis" Sis...Kenneth, Nicholai and Cally, Lee and Matt...Alice better be my sister or this world is rigged, why am I the only one without a family member!?

"Nicholai is just in a bad mood" Kenneth leaned in the ship. Lee, me, and Matt sat beside each other, with Alice joining soon after.

"If it wasn't obvious, Matt leads Cally, and Cypher, and Kai leads Raymond and me" Alice told us the team composition. "Of course though, we'll technically be part of the same platoon for now" She pulled up her hud "Whenever you're going on the same mission with other squads, you get put in a platoon temporarily, and unlock a new menu for your hud" I opened my hud and found it, the platoon menu. I opened it up and looked

Bravo Team
Lee Anck
Sam Cali
Kenneth Brok
Nicholai Brok

Zelot Team
Kai Bell
Raymond Bell
Alice Cali

...Alice Cali

...I pulled down the hud and looked at Alice, whom had a giant smug look on her face.

"I know I look different, but, I don't think I act differently, then again, I haven't washed my hair in awhile, maybe my hair is still pink." I stood up and went to hug her, only to trip on Lee's leg and faceplant onto the dropship floor.

"Sam!" I heard Lee call, I stood up and made sure I wasn't bleeding...not like I'd be able to handle blood anyways. I felt someone hug me, I could tell it was Alice. I saw Lee look on with a smile with the platoon menu up. "Well, now you can stop complaining that you have no family here.

"Yeah, she's got her sis now...oh and Sam?"

"Hmm?" I really just let the warmth of the hug take me.

"Next time, pay more attention when you're standing up in a dropship" Yeah, she's my sister alright. I could hear the dropship door closing behind me, we all sat down, against the side of the wall, from left to right it was Matt, Lee, Me, then Alice. On the other side were Cally, Kenneth, and Nicholai, then it was Kai, Raymond, and Cypher near the cockpit door to our right.

"I've got an idea to pass the time, Alice, how about you tell us some missions you went on" Lee rested his right arm on his right leg which was brought up to his shoulder while his left arm rested on his rested left leg.

"Of course...although, it may take awhile."

"Which is why he said to pass the time" Matt spoke out.

"Well, how about you?" Alice looked at me.

"Yes!" I said enthusiastically, causing the others who weren't in our conversation to look at me confused, the only exceptions were Kenneth and Nicholai, they were probably already used to me.

"Alright, let me tell you all some of my favorite missions to have gone on" Alice began showing us her stories as we waited to arrive at New Min, a nice 'peaceful' way to spend our idle time.