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"Hey ... Jeb ?" A man with purple eyes called out to another who considers him family, trailing said eyes off the book he was previously concentrating on. It was the same book where he learned about his name, and also where he came up with his brother's new name. He has read every single book the science tower's library had to offer, it didn't hurt to reread some. "Do you think I'd be a good director ... ?" He asked the one sitting behind him finishing off some work, who simply hummed in response. "Ah, sorry, I mean ... I'm kinda having doubts. 'Cause alongside being the director of Project Nexus, I have to lead a whole city too ... it's a lot." The sound of scratching on paper came to a halt as he finished speaking.
"Phobos. I don't have a doubt in my mind that you will be a tremendous director to this project and this city. As you already know, we're not going anywhere with our recent findings ... we just can't seem to wrap our heads around it yet." As Jeb talked, he was tapping the end of his pen on the sheet of papers he was writing on. "But I'm sure your guidance will help us. You will help save the world, basang." Shuffling was heard behind Phobos and before he knew it, his hair was being ruffled and patted by Jeb's hand.
"Agh-!" He sunk his head in his shoulders at the sudden attack and quickly shook the old man's hand off, which didn't seem to want to let go. "Hey, quit it !" He complained with a sharp tooth grin, allowing the chuckle that rumbled in his throat out through his parted lips. Jeb, in turn, let out a gentle laugh as his hand left the other man's head, his smile growing wider as said man tried to flatten his hair again by running it through his fingers. After a brief moment of silence, Jeb spoke up again.
"I recognise that all of this is a massive change for you. I couldn't even begin to understand the thoughts and feelings you're having right now. But I at least know this," Jeb raised his hand and confidently squeezed it against Phobos' shoulder. "I will be with you every step of the way. I will support you in any way I can. If you ever feel like it's getting too much, I'll be there to shoulder your burdens and we can get through it together." There was a glimmer in the older man's eyes. From how tired he is most of the time, there's rarely any light that reflects off the man's eyes. He wasn't tired right now though, no.
"Basang ... Remember that I'm here."
Dead Nexus Core agents and Gol3ms were sprawled out on the floor, their blood being soaked up through the cracks of the tiles.
Pinned down on the floor by a man who considered him family, the tip of his own sword was pressed against Phobos' neck.
The end was near. But not before they exchanged a few 'parting words' to each other. A light sigh huffed out of Jeb's lips, his head lowering right after.
"Why did it have to come to this ... Why couldn't you have just followed along with the project ?! We were doing so well and you-! Your selfishness got in the way !" Phobos felt the sword quiver a little against his skin. He seemed uninterested in this conversation but kept it going nonetheless, with a question.
"How did you come to the conclusion that killing me would stop all of this ?" A smirk tugged at his lips as the older man covered in blood raised his head to look at him, confusion written in his eyes. Before Jeb had a chance to respond, he was immediately interrupted by the other's booming voice. "Did you really think all of my work would come to a halt just because I died ?" Laughter was followed as soon as he stopped talking. It was quite chilling to hear a man who's tasting death right on his tongue to be laughing right now. Jeb's grip on the sword was tightened. "Years of blood, sweat and tears put into this project and as a result of killing me, you think all of this will wither away to dust ?" Another laugh, this one being a lot softer. Phobos reached his talons out towards him and gripped onto the sword's blade, pulling it towards him which pierced further into his flesh. "Surely you jest. The self-proclaimed saviour of Nevada can't be this stupid, can he ?"
Before he could utter another word or roar out another condescending laugh, Jeb slammed the sword right down his throat. The director's hands on the sword soon fell limp. He had done it. Christoff let go of the sword's handle and trembled to his knees, tears stinging his eyes though they would never dare trickle down his cheeks. The heavy breathing that echoed before was replaced by shaky ones. Blinking the blurriness out from his eyes, Jeb looked at his family's face one last time. He shuffled closer and was about to reach his hand towards him before he realised his fingers were caked in blood. Pausing the action he tried to do, he tried his best to wipe the blood away with any clean part of his clothes. Didn't work much ... but it will have to do. Jeb reached his hand out again, his fingers quivering, and gently stroked the dead man's hair. It didn't feel the same ... of course it didn't feel the same. With a light sniffle and huff, he pulled his hand away.
"Goodnight ... basang ko ..."