Chapter 4: Indecision part 2

July 2, 2011, 17:34

The Saint Crown Institute, where Philip attends, is located on a huge campus north of the city's financial center. Behind it, surrounding the campus, is a vast nature reserve filled with trees.

What few people know is that in the center of that reserve, there is an abandoned shooting range that belonged to the country's armed forces. Philip and his teacher, James Akrep, train there daily.

James is a former local hero of the United Kingdom and was familiar with this place because he had participated in several military trainings prior to what is known as "The Great South War." It was a war in which the United Kingdom, along with its allies, defeated the Union of South American Countries. He was a vital protagonist in the war, so after its conclusion, he was given the opportunity to be a Local Hero of the country despite being a Psychi.

James is a tall, robust man of fifty-five years old. He has a thick, unkempt beard, a large scar on his left cheek, and his left arm has been replaced with a metallic prosthesis. He wears heavily armored military clothing.

After leaving the Hecker clinic, Philip stopped by a famous fast food place for lunch and immediately headed to this shooting range. The routine there consisted of meditation, stretching, martial arts practice, and finally, using firearms and bladed weapons. Philip excelled in all disciplines, making James think he was a monster.

Philip decided to finish training early because he had a date with Clara and needed to prepare. While he was getting ready, James initiated a conversation.

"Starting tomorrow, you're free," James said.

"What are you talking about?" Philip asked, quite puzzled.

"I have to return to the United Kingdom," James replied with a serious expression. He had been somewhat absent throughout the training, and Philip began to notice signs that something was wrong.

"Is it something serious?"

"It's serious, but it's something I have to solve on my own," James said, clenching his fist. He then pulled out some photos from his pocket and showed them to Philip. "Look, someone has been sending me these for some time now."

Philip took the photos and, upon seeing them, was horrified. Several adults between the ages of thirty and fifty, brutally murdered. Among all of them, one woman stood out, clearly recognizable.

"Who are they?" Philip asked, shivering.

"They are my former comrades from the first regiment of Local Heroes of the United Kingdom. Someone has been hunting them down and sending me these images. It's some sort of revenge against me or something, so I must assist in the investigation."

"Why would someone do something like this to you? I don't understand. If it's revenge against you, why involve other people in this way?"

"The only thing I can think of is that it's someone resentful of the Dark Reform of 1993."

Philip instinctively widened his eyes. Cold sweat ran down his neck and back.

"James, how was the Dark Reform in the United Kingdom?" Philip asked, somewhat anxious.

"It wasn't something pleasant, but it was completely necessary."

"Even when the freedom of your own people was taken away?"

James scratched his head, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the questions.

"Agggh. Like I told you, the only way society would accept Psychis was by forcing them to be harmless. There was much suffering before we arrived at that point, things very similar to what's happening here now."

Philip didn't respond. He was aware that James wholeheartedly supported the British Dark Reform, but he still felt it was a profound mistake. James continued.

"If you're wondering if I

did the right thing, I don't know. I can only assure you that to this day, I don't regret it, even with everything I had to sacrifice to make it happen. Friends, family, my heart."

"... And the Dark Reform worked."

"Until this incident, there hasn't been another serious one related to Psychis or dark energy in eighteen years."

James crossed his arms. Philip sighed and tried to speak normally.

"So, we'll be apart for a while. It will be difficult, considering what's happening and the fact that I still haven't managed to control that technique you taught me."

"Soon you will. Although absolute evasion is a technique that takes years to fully master, you understood it quite well in just one go. You still have a long way to go, but I'm sure that in a few years, you'll be the hero defending this city. You have talent."

Upon hearing that last sentence, Philip's expression changed to a more depressed one.

"What's wrong? Don't you like your talent?"

"It's just a bittersweet feeling. This talent benefits me; I use it to protect myself, and I will use it to protect others, but there's something that bothers me a lot."

"Mmmh?"

"Why do I have it?"

James placed his right hand heavily on Philip's shoulder.

"Talent is not something you can explain, kid. If, as a result of the guilt it generates in you, you decide to use it to help others, that's fine, but don't waste your life. The most important lives for you should be your own and those of your loved ones. Then you can think about the rest of humanity, don't forget that."

"I understand..." There was a brief silence. "Well, it's time to say goodbye."

"Wait, Philip, one last thing," James said. He took out a large black suitcase hidden among the trees and opened it in front of Philip.

"I brought you this as a farewell gift."

The suitcase contained two firearms: a small Skorpion vz. 61 submachine gun and a silver semi-automatic pistol with a strange engraving of a dragon with muted colors. There were also many magazines for both weapons.

"This pistol is modified to shoot bullets charged with energy. I brought you some of its magazines. They may come in handy in the future, and you already know how to use them."

Philip felt a slight discomfort seeing those weapons. They were specifically chosen items for him. He could tell that, but he still felt that something was wrong or, at least, that there was something he didn't understand.

"Why would someone who wants to be a hero need firearms? I've been wondering this since we started training."

James put his hand on his chin, thoughtful. It took him about ten seconds to resume the conversation.

"Mmmh. There are moments when a hero must make difficult decisions. I'm just giving you the tools for the day you have to make such a decision."

Philip said nothing; he simply closed the black suitcase and walked towards the exit, turning his back to James.

"I guess you're right. I hope we meet again soon."

"If..."

Philip turned around and bid farewell to James with a handshake. At that moment, he felt a tingling sensation on his wrist, beneath his bandage, and the sound of glass shattering in his ears.