Legend of Mautau: Angelorum Lux

Ch 13: Breakdown

Finding it strange that the Warden would stand around and chat like this, Grey was about to ask what he found so interesting when Schmitt suddenly said, “Well folks, time for me to get back to work. Come along now, I got a private cell for each of ya…”

Outside the meeting room waited the pair of armed guards, obviously guarding the only exit from the meeting room in case Grey and the others tried to escape. However, that was not all that awaited them.

Clearly having stayed behind to listen in, Colonel Richter approached Schmitt as they all exited the room and asked, “May I have a word with them?”

With a smirk, Schmitt responded, “Heh, somehow I figured you wouldn’t just run off. You don’t look too pleased though, considerin’ you got whatcha wanted.”

It was true, the Colonel did not look pleased at all, and he sounded as though he was struggling to be civil as he said, “May I have a moment with the prisoners or not, Schmitt?”

Schmitt laughed heartily and replied, “Sure, sure.”

Richter slowly turned to look at Grey, and after a brief moment he simply said, “Why?”

For the first time, Grey realized the hatred he had in his eyes whenever he looked at him.

Just as simply, Grey replied, “Because it was wrong.”

A shadow fell over Richter’s face, and he seemed to be trembling with rage as he quietly said, “Wrong? What does someone like you care about right or wrong?! Wasn’t it wrong when you murdered the soldiers who tried to defend Luminosa? Wasn’t it wrong when you slaughtered the innocent residents of the city? When you killed my wife and daughter?!”

Desperate to make him understand, Scott broke into their conversation, saying, “He was brainwashed Jack!”

With a quiet but commanding tone, Grey said, “Shut up Scott… Just… shut up…”

Scott looked at him in surprise, and saw the painful expression in his eyes as Grey turned to look at Richter and said, “I have no excuses Richter. People died because of me, and no deal will ever make that go away. The only thing I can do to make it right is to give people like you justice. That’s part of why I went after Altera Veritas.”

Heaving a sigh, Grey continued, “But now it looks like that’s over with, so do whatever you like with me. Just let the others go, they’re not a part of this.”

The hall was silent for a moment as Richter and Grey stared at one another.

Richter turned and walked a short distance from Grey, stopped, and said, “Justice… It’s nothing short of insulting to hear someone like you speak of justice!”

Richter had turned his head to glare back at Grey as he said, “I don’t care if you feel sorry! I don’t even care if you were brainwashed, or that you lost your parents as well! You’ll never understand how I feel and I will NEVER forgive you!”

At the mention of his parents, Grey’s eyes went wide and the color drained from his face.

Staring at Richter a moment, Grey dropped to his knees and said, “Lost my… parents…?”

Scott rushed over to him, kneeling beside him as he said, “I’m sorry Matt. They were… They were killed in your kidnapping. I wanted to tell you, but…”

Richter was absolutely shocked, asking in disbelief, “He didn’t know?”

Alexander walked out from behind Grey.

Looking down at him, seeing the tears forming in his eyes, Alexander said, “I know this is hard to take in Grey… I’m sorry, I was just so afraid to tell you…”