The next day...
Nyx, Arthur and Kay were transported back to the main continent – Novopangea. As the cruise arrived near the great eastern wall while surfing on the massive waves of the gatekeeper's sea, lightning tore through the ocean as benthos swarmed the ship. The gates opened and the cruise roughly entered the small opening barely. The benthos were destroyed by the LAWS stationed on the front, exploding into flesh and bones. As the gates closed, the water level inside rapidly decreased until only dry land was left.
Albert stood in front of the cruise – hands in pockets, planning to greet his sister and the expedition team.
'I thought they would be gone for at least a year but I guess they finished rather quickly…'
He smiled as the captain walked down from the ship using the inclined plane. Albert waited patiently when Kay drove off the ship in a wheelchair. Albert raised a brow.
"Did you get disabled…?" He inquired.
"No…just used my legs a little too much." Kay replied with a sorrowful smile.
Crew members pushed Arthur out on a wheelchair. The lieutenant general looked dazed, hollow eyes and chuckling every few minutes. His eyes were void of light and embedded fear into anyone who looked at them. A chill ran down Albert's spine as he glanced at Arthur's eyes.
"What happened to him…?" Albert asked.
"…" Kay didn't reply.
"Not talking much, I see…" Albert sighed. "But I did want to ask…where's the rest of the expedition team?"
Kay went silent. The air grew thick tension as the crewmembers rolled out a bed with someone on it – Someone Albert knew dearly. Albert's eyes widened, his jaw dropped slightly as he realized who was lying on the bed.
"I'm sorry…" Kay whispered. "We're the only survivors."
Albert's arm dropped as he stared at his sister – unconscious.
"Stop." He stated in a loud voice.
The crew members paused as Albert approached the bed. He lowered his head, staring at his sister – the one who could handle any situation no matter what happened, the one who would tease him continuously and the annoying sibling that he loved so dearly.
She was now in a coma, fighting for her life. As Kay neared him, Albert asked a question.
"How did she become like this?"
Kay paused and opened his mouth. "Chaos backlash. She teleported us back to the Bragg using her power."
Albert nodded biting his lip. A hollow feeling arose in him as tears began forming in his eyes. He wiped them and drew a few deep breaths.
"Take her away."
Albert turned away so no one would see his face. His hands shook — just once — before he forced them into his pockets.
The crewmembers then, took her away while one of them called for an ambulance. Kay watched as Albert left the room. He knew what he was going through but it was less than what he had gone through. For that reason, he only felt pity for the general of the great eastern wall.
***
The trio were taken to a hospital in Kharagen. Arthur was placed in a psych ward with a nurse monitoring him at all times. Nyx was placed in a room for coma patients though she was the only person in that room. Kay was transferred to rehabilitation to help him walk on his feet once more.
Meanwhile, in the AEOC special ops division HQ, in the supreme commander's room, Chris phone rang wildly. With a sigh, he picked it up while placing down a document.
"Who is it?" He asked sternly.
"Sir. Christopher. This is Von June hospital. We need to inform you of something." The man on the other side replied.
"What is it?" Chris leaned back.
"The expedition team has…returned."
"Really?" Chris leaned forward.
"Yes…that problem is…there are only three survivors."
Then, the man went silent. Chris froze – tapping his finger against his phone.
'I expected this to happen to some degree but…three survivors is…lucky.'
"Who are the survivors?" He drew a deep breath.
"The supreme commander of the UEOC – Ms. Nyx Armstrong. The lieutenant general of the…"
Chris listened intently as the man spoke the next words.
"…AEOC – Arthur von Ashking and his teammate – Kay."
Chris heaved a sigh of relief and replied.
"I'll be right there. Make documents of their condition…"
"Yes, sir."
After the man replied, Chris cut the call and tucked the phone into his pocket. He jolted up from his seat and calmly walked out of his office, heading to the hospital.
***
Chris arrived at the hospital in sleek red-striped car, matching his outfit. He parked it and exited it. While walking towards the entrance, the car locked by itself. As he entered, he was greeted by a nurse.
"Sir. Chris." The nurse bowed, respectfully.
"Where is Arthur?" Chris asked.
The nurse straightened. "He's in the psych ward."
"Very well. Take me to him." Chris urged.
The nurse nodded and led the supreme commander to the psych ward. While strolling through the empty hallway, Kay appeared in their path.
"Supreme commander." Kay smirked. "Here to see Arthur?"
"Of course. "Chris replied. "What happened to you?"
"Ha…I just used my legs a bit too much." Kay stated while lowering his head.
"Did you at least preserve the information you gathered during that expedition?" the supreme commander questioned.
"Yes, it been transferred to a facility for research." Kay answered. "Please, honor Sir. Sterling and Sir. Charles for this achievement. Without them, none of this would've been possible."
"Why wouldn't I?" Chris walked passed him, ending their conversation.
Kay smiled as the Arthur's older brother passed him. He spun around and went back to whatever he was doing. The nurse and Chris finally arrived at the psych ward. The nurse pushed the door opened for him. Chris entered the wooden room with a beautiful room. A sense of relied washed over him as he saw his brother lying on the bed.
His caretaker turned around and gasped in surprise before greeting him.
"S-Sir. Christopher. Are you…?"
"Yes…" Chris acknowledged. "Now, you please awaken him. I wish to talk."
The caretaker nodded and lightly pushed Arthur awakening him. As Arthur sat straight, he noticed his elder brother. He didn't greet him nor did he react to his presence as if he didn't matter. The nurse brought two chairs and the siblings sat down on either one of them. Arthur didn't meet his brother's eyes as the two nurses left, leaving the siblings alone.
"So…" Chris started the conversation. "Did you enjoy the trip?"
"…" Arthur didn't reply.
"Will you respond to me? I'm genuinely worried for you." Chris raised his voice and yet Arthur didn't respond.
After that, Chris talked to Arthur for a while. As the birds chirped, sunlight hit the floor and wind blew past, Chris continued to try to make his brother talk. Arthur didn't respond or react to anything as if he was a ghost. After a while, Chris got frustrated. He face-palmed and slammed his fist onto his knee.
"My dear brother…" He stated in a worried but annoyed tone. "What have you become after going to that forbidden place?"
As Chris's words echoed throughout the room, they also echoed in the lieutenant general's mind.
'What have I become…? What have I become…? What have I become…? What have I become…? What have I become…?'
He remembered – he remembered the massacre, the blood, the screams, the explosions and…Maple. He remembered the demon that killed her – he remembered the prince flying above him like a deity, mocking his mortality. A new fire ignited in him as he spoke two words that shook Chris to his very core.
"AnAvenger." He whispered in a chilling cold tone.
(End of Volume 2 – The Avenger.)