As Jeffrey was being bombarded by Reggie's powerful explosions in air, he started to monologue to himself as he flashbacked "Right from when I was little, I've always had a silent drive for strength. Unlike most kids who'd open their mouth and yell how strong they wanted to be, I simply just kept to myself while training my ass off. But unfortunately for me at the time, I wasn't all that strong, even for my age.". Jeffrey continued to monologue "According to what I know, my mother died when I was born. And as a result, my father grew very depressed. He'd teach me how to use weapons like guns and blasters, and even train me on combat exercise. But even at that, I was still no good.", Jeffrey remembered his dad leaving the training room while he was on all fours trying to catch his breath. In a sad tone, his father held the side of the door and muttered "You're such a failure.", and walked off, all Jeffrey could do at the time was just stare with sadness as his dad left the room. Jeffrey continued to think "At the time, I couldn't really tell if he was talking to me or himself. But with the way it sounded, I was able to understand that it was myself he was talking too.". Jeffrey had a saddened smirk on his face as he floated in a white void "Hah! As if that wasn't bad enough, the system here is too brutal. Kids would have to fight to the death in some occasions, and would even have to endure extreme training. No wonder we knights are either sadists tired of life, or we're just trying to take out our frustrations at weaker nations in the name of the Knight Country.", he scoffed "It doesn't matter. At some point, I never even saw my old man again after I clocked ten. Only on a few occasions, but that was always once in a while.". As Jeffrey got blasted apart in the real world, he continued his monologue "If only things weren't like this. If only we weren't bred to live our lives and then unfortunately die for our nation, maybe things would be different. Worst part is that I'm only 22 years old, was thinking I'd die at like 50 or something. Guess that's just something that wasn't attainable at the first place.". He continued to wonder, a smirk on his face "I wonder how dad's doing. Did he always mean it when he called me a failure? Or was he talking to himself. Well I guess it's too late for that.", he uttered one more word "Wish I didn't end up like this.". Somewhere else in the country, in a city not too far from where Reggie was invading, a man was sitted on his bed as he drank. The man looked depressed, he was a slightly slim man in his late forties. This man was Jeffrey's father "If only I had been more honest and clear with you, maybe you and myself wouldn't be so miserable.", he looked at his window just to see a shining white beam of light a few cities away. He continued to talk to himself "Right now, I can't help but to wonder if you're In the middle of all this. Jeffrey, you looked so identical to your mother, I couldn't bring myself to look at you. Each time I saw you, i saw her. And for that, I called myself a failure for not being able to save her. And because of that, I also couldn't bring myself to see you. Your mother and I had promised to be together and have a family together, yet she died. I couldn't even be a proper father to you.". Suddenly, a giant white explosion from far way started to catch up into the city he was in. Before he got destroyed, he said one last thing "Jeffrey, my boy, I'm sorry.". Within seconds, he and the entire city he was in, was destroyed and incinerated in seconds with a dangerous explosion. The explosion was so powerful that other cities in the country felt it, even Fragmell as he was sitted in his lounge felt a huge shake. He looked up "Looks like the war's getting out of hand, I should probably do something to get it back on our side.". After the explosion had cleared away, Reggie stood above Jeffrey. Jeffrey's body was slowly regenerating it's lost parts, but he was also turning back to his normal human state. Reggie had a sad look on his face, while Jeffrey had a sad smile on his face as he looked at him. Reggie said to his fallen opponent "See? Told you being crazy wasn't enough.", Jeffrey managed to cough out some words with his worn out voice "Yeah, I guess you're right.". A moment of silence followed before Reggie asked "When we fought, I couldn't help but to feel a sense of loneliness and emptiness in you.", Jeffrey scoffed "When you grow up as a knight in this country, you're bound to feel that way at some point. Especially when you're a full time one or a high ranking one. Fortunately for me, my talents were seen by the higher ups of this country. So i guess that's what made them use me as a part human part robot tool of war.", Reggie scoffed "Heh. I can understand that.". He continued to talk "So, is there anything you'd like to say? You don't have much time left. The nano tech In your body is trying to piece you back together, but with the way you're injured, you're going to die.", Jeffrey scoffed "Hm, I guess death was the only outcome for one of us.". Jeffrey then proceeded to ask "Hey, Reggie. What do you feel about war or deadly missions?", Reggie replied "I think war and missions are just a way of bringing an excuse for people to hurt each other for whatever reasons.", Jeffrey almost laughed but scoffed "Damn right.". As he was about to die with a part of his body burnt and fading, he said to Reggie "Well, you've won. You're the one who decides what to do now.", Reggie replied "Yeah.". Before Jeffrey died, he said "Reggie Lancer. Thank you, I really needed someone like you around. Even tho..... it was just for a short time.". Jeffrey stopped talking, he died, his upper body burnt but intact, while his lower body was destroyed. Reggie felt sad "Yeah, glad we met.". He took a deep sigh and reflected for a few seconds, his head faced forward with a look of seriousness "Now then.", he said to himself before he started to float in the air. His hands slightly raised while facing down, his body emitting energy like falling lightning "On to the next city.", his serious face changed to a devilish smirk.
END OF CHAPTER.