Spectacular World

The One She Would Save

"Mind if I sit here?"

Max frowned and stared up at Ruby, who had her arms thrown behind her head. "It's a public space, do whatever you want." He sighed and scooted over on the bench, allowing her to take a seat next to him.

"Thanks." She crashed down next to him and looked up toward the sky, watching the clouds. Max shot a look at her, studying her up and down. Her hair was black, and her enhanced strength had faded away. The sense of godly might was nowhere to be found, yet he knew better than anyone that it was still there. That was twice now; she had defeated one of his targets that Nier had sent him after. "So, what are you doing out here, exactly?" Her voice nearly startled him as she began to speak once again.

He just awkwardly shrugged. "I just needed to clear my head a bit."

He had no idea which city they were in. After the battle with Fire Prince, he had blacked out from the strike Hell Hound had hit him with. Full Monarch hadn't talked to him much after the incident in the lab. Most people had been seemingly avoiding him. All but Ruby, that was.

They were still at the Hero Branch base. It was a large, massive metal tower that went up higher than even the clouds. He didn't get to leave the building; his body still hadn't recovered, but he got tired of staying in his room and busted out. They had insisted he stay and would bring him food, but he just wasn't able to take it anymore. While he wandered the building trying to find a way out, he discovered a floor that looked almost like a garden. The roof had been painted to look like the sky, and a series of fake clouds floated across it. There was freshly cut grass and various mazes of plants and bushes. He didn't know how big the room really was; he had gotten lost in the middle of the maze while exploring it, where he had found a simple wooden bench waiting for him.

The bench had been placed somewhere in the center and was surrounded by all sorts of plants and trees that grew in the tower. Fake sunlight poured from above, keeping him warm. He had switched out of his gown and wore simple gray sweatpants and a black T-shirt now. Despite being totally lost, Ruby had been able to find him. She was also dressed in normal clothes, wearing some long-sleeved shirt that had a popular idol on it, and a skirt.

"So, you know Nier?" The silence between them was broken when she spoke up.

"Yeah, I guess." He nodded. "My dad always talked about him, Sini, and Full Monarch. When Nier showed up, it was like I was meeting an uncle or something. He was there for me when the Emperor attacked and was the one who rescued me. I'd likely be dead without him."

"That's cool." Ruby didn't sound like she was actually listening to him. He got the feeling she was one of those people who were in their own little world. She reached out, grabbing a rose that bloomed off of one of the bushes. "He created the room we're in."

"Nier did?"

"Yep." She plucked the rose and tucked it behind her ear. "I guess a long time ago. Before I was born and before the Hero Branch had even been fully created. He was one of the guys that found this tower and named the city Rose. That's what Mermaid tells me, at least. You'd need to ask her more about it; she cares more about all this goofy history stuff than I do."

"Goofy? It's the history of the Lords? You'd say that's goofy?"

"Sure. What does being a Lord mean in the first place?" The girl said, rolling her eyes. "The same thing applies to those who call themselves heroes. Does it actually matter?"

"They're saving people-" He stopped and shook his head, sighing. "I don't know why I'm even talking to you. I still remember what you did when we were on that boat. You even declared yourself a bad guy in front of the Emperor. I bet the only reason you're not locked up is because your dad is Full Monarch."