Crossroad

Upon his question, Ko and I shared a glance at each other. It was unbelievable to imagine he'd offer us an out from his master plan, especially now that we knew everything. I'd fully expected him to force us into being pawns, but this was a whole other ordeal entirely.

“Do you think we're just going to kick our feet up and retire while the world burns?” I asked him. “You're messing with everything, and you actually think we'll let you keep doing this?”

“When the flood comes, you’ll be washed away. I’m offering you an ark to leave it all.”

Did he think that would change my mind? I didn’t want to submit to him. Giving in now was just as bad as helping him.

“How selfish do you think I am?” I asked. “I won’t ever be able to live knowing others are suffering around me. Ko thinks the same thing.”

“Kitsune…” Ko said softly, turning toward the floor.

We’d come this far, and both of us wanted to find a way to save this world without killing anyone. If his survival of the fittest game was on the horizon, then we’d just have to find a way to stop it.

“Words of ignorance. If you think what I'm trying to do is bad, would you really want to bring back the world we left behind? People suffered far more then.”

That was true. Even if the stories we were told in school were exaggerated or selectively picked, things weren't great back then. To be honest, I really didn't see any future in that idea either. Humanity was at a major crossroad, and turning around just meant we’d be back in the swamp we swam out of. On that, we could agree.

“That's why I'm not interested in bringing it back. We want to make a new way. So here’s my answer. No. You might have this world around your finger, but Ko and I are going to keep fighting to save everyone. Including your superior humans. We'll make a world where everyone can live in peace.”

“And inevitably, it’ll all end up right back here,” father said, his head shamefully hanging over his desk. “Why don't I give the two of you some time to think over what I've said. This has surely been a lot to take in.”

The door swung open behind us. Bear and a few of his men surrounded us and pulled us from our chairs.

Father gave Bear a nod. “Take them to the brakeroom.”

“You got it, boss.”

Bear made sure to cuff us both up again, this time tighter than before. As we were dragged out of the office, I made sure to give my father one more nasty look.

It's hard to believe that my own father had been up to such a grand scheme right under my nose, but the reality was staring back at me, not responding to my greivious expression. His apathetic face just made me all the more bothered.

Ko and I were dragged down the hall and locked in a nicely furnished room. It still had an office feel, but with a premium flare that gave it a relaxing feel. I guess things could be worse. If this was a taste of what he had to offer us for going along with him, I'd wonder how long it'd be until we were spoiled.

“What a luxurious cage they've locked us in.” I commented.

The maid in white and Seiko followed us in, offering us some baked treats that were left for our pleasure. Neither of us were the least bit hungry.

“I apologize for the inconveniences.” The maid in white bowed. “Please consider our master's words as you enjoy your stay.”

I had a good feeling we'd be stuck in here for a while. Rather than sit on any of the nice furniture though, we chose the floor to plant down on as a protest.

“Kitsune, do you think…” Ko stopped talking. There was conflict in her voice.

“What is it?”

“Do you really think there's another path?” Ko asked.

I didn't want to admit that a part of me felt deathly sick when I considered the horrible hole we'd fall into if we tried to fight against my father. He'd had generations of planning and plenty of resources to set his plan in motion. I'm sure he had plenty of allies too. Our resource pool was extremely limited. We would easily be able to convince the Guardian of the Soul to work with us, but then what? How would we deal with those special humans that have been made?

“If people like me were made to replace humans, am I the enemy?” Ko asked.

How could she even think something like that? None of this was her fault. Even if I were to stretch my understanding of father’s goal, these children, and even anyone else who’s been unwillingly involved, can’t help what life’s handed them.

“You can’t control your own birth,” I told her. “We all are what we are.”

Oppressing them in any way would be the opposite of what we truly wanted. They were a neutral force, not programmed to help or hurt our progress inherently. They just went where logic told them. They'd be like that even without a pill.

Ko was so mild-mannered compared to Ekko and I. She showed hints of emotion, but her maturity far outweighed ours. She saw things from a different perspective. And right now, things weren't in our favour.

“What do you think we should do?” I asked her.

“I think no matter what we choose, it's fated that people will suffer,” she replied. “If humanity revolts, so many will perish. And even if on a slim chance we make a new world of freedom, father is right. Eventually, it will all come back to this. All these lives would go to waste.” Ko scrunched up and sat with her head on her knees. “Do you think it’s ever logical to take a life? To rid the world of those whom we don't like?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer. I'd been wanting to say that I'd be able to take a life if the right circumstances arose, but I couldn't imagine what having blood on your hands felt like. It must have been even harder for Ko to think about.

She's just a kid, asking questions us adults wouldn't even want to entertain.

She was just a kid…

I found myself sitting close to her, holding her up to my side by wrapping my cuffed arms around her, hoping that a little bit of warmth would comfort her.

“Hey, here's one. Is it logical to take a brake?” I smiled.

She looked up at me with a blank stare, unsure of how to respond.

“Hey, maid!” I shouted. “Bring over those snacks, if you’d be so kind.”

“Kitsune?” Ko questioned me.

“Of course, sir!” The maid was more than happy to fetch us something nice to eat.

Ko was even more confused. “What are you doing?”

“Let’s ease up for a second, alright? All this pressure's been a pain.”

She needed someone to show her things were going to be alright, at least right now. Ko was logical, so just telling her everything's going to be fine wasn't going to work. She needed to feel it for herself, even if just for a little bit.

She needed hope. We all needed hope.