Vyral

Chapter 15: Part 2 - Don't be afraid to say goodbye. For now.

-------------------------------------------------
Zamaton Colony - Outskirts
Mission: "Armageddon"
Open roof chamber - 12:05
-------------------------------------------------

At the crack of noon, Proteus and Kohen stand before one another, anticipating his transformation.

Everyone else is gathered in a balcony with a clear view towards the ground, nervousness creeping its way into their minds.

Kohen: "You sure you're good enough to do this?"

Proteus: "Do you honestly think I couldn't handle that parasite...?" He confidently states, smirking. "Child's play."

His appearance has drastically improved, almost as if the altercation made his original body better.

Kohen: "Well in that case, don't blame me for going all out!"

Proteus: "Sounding like you're in control already.. Bring it on.."

Despite the lighthearted banter, Kohen's thoughts dig far deeper than usual. His life really has been utter shit for as long as he can remember. Despite doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants to, he somehow never found his purpose.

For some reason, the things he does have felt shallow ever since... Well... ever.

He barely found time in his mind to consider paying attention to anything outside of his own dreams and ambitions, much less any of his friends.
But what even are those?
Studying the Old World to such an extent, and for what? Where did this fascination even come from?

What has he been trying to accomplish this entire time? What was he trying to learn?

Why exactly did none of these questions ever cross his mind before this mission?

Seeing Orton and Myra splicing the way they did, hearing the things they said and seeing those physically manifest in such a violent manner, was what finally made him take a step back. It was something he wasn't prepared to see, and that's exactly what he needed. It flipped a switch inside of his mind, one necessary for his personal growth.

Suddenly, his conversation with Orton in the facility made sense. It made him listen. For the first time, it made him care about someone other than himself, and what they might've been dealing with until now. It made him think about why his friends keep so many different feelings inside the padlocked boxes they call hearts. The same way he does.

He knows it's because they understand each other's issues, and respect each other enough to not burden one another with such matters. He does the same himself.

Doesn't he?

They understand him. Don't they?

He's never questioned or cared about their worries for him until he lashed out on Lily. The only reason he never spoke about his tattoos or the tragedy surrounding his sister's death was because he was the only one who was going to suffer regardless of how much he spoke about it.
Despite their comforting words, they'll never understand what it's like to lose something like that. Someone so important to you that you'd give their life up for them in a flash.

He didn't care to explain that in spite of their curiosity, or wish to help him. Why should he? This false sense of security and denial made him lash out, ultimately turning him into a complete prick for the sake of himself, and himself only. He thinks it was for his sister's sake.