The main idea of this novel was inspired by the anime series GATE. Everything else is original as can be.
While the world is in an already state of terrible news, it just got even freakier. In Washington state, a door to another world has opened. A...
Once Max was done retelling his tale, quietness surrounded the room. Hunk and Rylanor looked at Max in horror for what happened. While Rylanor put his hand on his shoulder to tell Max it'll be ok, Hunk thought stressfully as he laid back in his chair. Reaching in his drawer for an emergency pack of cigars he thought, 'Magic? F*cking MAGIC and the PBC has control of it! Damn it all to hell this is going to kick up a storm if the other districts find out about this.'
Rylanor had noticed Max was a little darker ever since he arrived back, but he just assumed it was Max being himself. He never could've imagined he was forced to commit all those...
"Max..." He said but his words were already clogged up in his throat. Rylanor was a soldier and knew what it felt like to take away a life. Albeit he was a shield, a soldier of humanity. A product of a nation meant as the protection of others. Max was not. He wasn't trained to act upon the same rules and doctrine as a soldier. He is more of a spear, a weapon to kill enemies out of reach of the shield and eliminate any threats in uncommon ways. He is the iron districts freelancer, the one unbound by rules and free to step out of bounds. He is known as the cult hunter. Perhaps that is why he has created himself his own infamous reputation among others. For Max can protect the iron district, when the iron districts own protectors can't.
"It's not your fault Max" Stated Hunk firmly surprising Rylanor before he could get a word in. As Max's half-brother he felt worried about the well-being of Max.
Max replied back, "It is. The woman in the closet, crushed or suffocated. Any other worker in that building. Dead. A girl lobotomized by magic, dead by my hands..." He stared at his shaking hands wanting to go on but couldn't.
Rylanor could see his biological father Hunk gearing up for an assault of words. His Commander father was a steeled man crafted by the horrors of war, but he often forgot others around him aren't as dense as him. He doesn't act this way on purpose, but Rylanor could see his harsh truthful words incoming.
As Hunk was taking in a deep breath, Rylanor stood up from his chair and gripped both hands onto Max's shoulders in front of him. Demanding unwavering attention, Rylanor spoke from his brotherly soul.
"Max, you and others may paint yourself as a monster for what you did, but they and you don't understand. YOU fight for the world of tomorrow. While I fight in the dirty trenches fighting today's threats, you are already five steps ahead taking out enemy leadership from behind lines. I am a soldier and must protect the masses by fighting masses. While you protect the masses by fighting individuals. Just take a moment to think Max. You were approached by a farmer and his family right?" He asked unblinkingly.
"Y-Yes" He stammered. "What does that have to do-" he was the interrupted by Rylanor.
"The girl that attempted to hold onto you. Her BASTERD of a father was going to sell her and the other family members to an auction held by the skin harvesting leadership of Rot Creak. By destroying their base of operation and sending their leader structure into a frenzy you have just saved that little girl, and every other slave who was going to be sold to them. While they may have another step up to command, at least it will be a normal scumbag versus their previous sickening scumbag. At the end of the day, you may have caused deaths, but a perfect mission never exists. There will always be anomalies, casualties, and unplanned events. This magical girl... she was already brainwashed and turned to the dark side. From what you said, she had no restrain with her actions and didn't hesitate to kill. It was you or her, and oh boy am I happy that my brother came back to us." Said Rylanor. Passionately looking at Max who was now the speechless one.
