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Ever since ten years ago, Ardashir never expected his heart would once again beat in excitement over a task. He considered himself not a workaholic despite being diligent and hardworking in achieving the task assigned to him, so each time it beats, he can feel warmth spreading from there and trying his best to not to burst out.
How long has it been? Dijiang never got a sun to let him know how many seconds and hours had passed. The quiet and empty corridor he first entered is now filled with other operators and staff working and doing their usual routine. Seeing enough time has passed to let the scenery change, Ardashir can't help but let his tail wander and grip his leg tightly.
'They surely won't forget.' Ardashir whispered in his mind. His lord, The Endministartor is everything but a liar, so what he must do is just patiently waiting like he usually does.
Last time it took him a decade, now he surely can wait for more and less than that.
As he lets his eyes get entertained by staff activity in his field of view, Ardashir notices just how much it changed from decades ago. He isn't the type to frequently come here, but somehow the atmosphere has become more lively than before.
It made him wonder, if Endministator currently also live in better circumstance due to his amnesia. It somehow felt right to think that way, the way they talk and the expression they put somehow felt lighter than it used to be.
While the burden is not completely gone from what they can't hide, the thought of their suffering has lessened because of the supposedly unfortunate incident able to suppress the sadness of losing the person that used to be his Lord.
'Ah. Once again let my thoughts be filled with nonsense.'
Endministator isnt someone who used to be his lord, they are his Lord. Despite having no memory, half of Ardashir believe someone isn't decided by the memory they experience. While his other half, quietly whisper a hopeless wish to be remembered by them.
"...Ardashir."
Ah, those voices. He recognizes it despite the different tone.
Having been called, he immediately turned his head to the source of voice before him. And as he expected the Endministrator is there with their black hair still damp from not properly drying it—he guesses.
"Endmin, it's good to see you this early." Having no clue in time, Ardashir just let any greeting that fit their situation.
Yet instead of returning the greeting, the Endministrator just frowned before replying. "Huh. Don't say something you didn't mean."
Huh?
Ardashir blinked. As each word of those sentences replayed in his head, he could feel his back felt colder.
Did he say something wrong? Or maybe his greet was impolite?
He truly didn't have any single clue of what their word was supposed to mean. However their frown and tone clearly far from pleased, make his heart drop.
"Forgive me if my words sound unpleasant. I truly didn't mean to displease you." It must be his word. The thought of his lord regaining a new self must let him slip and forget his manners.
What he should do to please his lord? Ardashir can't seem to find the answer, never in the past he was able to find a perfect answer for that. And it feels like he won't be able to find it either now. He just prays that each word he carefully speaks won't become a needle in their already fragile relationship.
A silence between them now felt colder than the north. In his thought, he can feel a thorn made from air was ready to pervade and prick him in an attempt to not let him take any more relief after his rudeness.
It made him weak as shame forbade him to maintain his composure.
"What?"
"I'm sorry Endmin."
"No? Shouldn't I be the one that says 'sorry' right now?"
"Pardon?"
Their words once again made Ardashir blink in cluelessness.
"Despite being the one that promised, I overslept and made you wait for hours. This one is clearly my fault, I'm truly sorry."
If not because Perlica had told them that Ardashir had already been waiting in the corridor for three hours, they clearly won't wake up and be here at this time that is already far from being late. Seeing no excuse in what has been done, they bow their heads in apology.
"?!"
However, having seen the sign of their action, before it could go any lower, Ardashir quickly placed his hands on their shoulder and pushed them in an attempt to not let it down. He makes sure to use as little as he can in the force so it wont hurt them, hoping Dijiang' gravity will let him fail their attempt.
"Please don't say such a thing, Endmin." The image of his Lord bowing down and asking for forgiveness from him is a horrible scene to see, even to imagine. On top of that, Ardashir never anticipated those to be able to happen, making a bead of sweat drip from his already full of guilt face.
"But–"
"This one is clearly my fault. Having no ability to tell time made me put you in an uncomfortable position. I should take initiative to manage time for myself to avoid this situation." The shock seems to have made Ardashir lose his calm composure as he no longer thinks of the logic behind the word he just spoke.
"Yeah... what?"
Now it felt ridiculous.
What kind of person blabber nonsense of being at fault when the other party broke their promise? If Endmin needed to think about the answer, they probably said the question is reasonable to exist in the first place since there's Ardashir.
Anyway.
Having too much excitement last night after getting manpower for their factory now felt like an evil thought for taking advantage of someone in their labor work. It clearly didn't sound and felt any better when they tried to put reason in it.
But he agree? Can someone with impaired way of thinking give consent?
It didn't feel right to them. But the factory must grow??? Right?????
In whatever is happening in their head, the Endministrator decides it will be best if they ask the person related to this immediately.
"Ardashir."
"Yes, Endmin."
"Did you still remember when I recruited you to be Enfield' operator?"
It happened not long ago, just a week ago. Yet Endministrator themself somehow having trouble remembering as their memory from that time became hazy from having overused their originium arts.
"Of course. After proving my foolishness, your generosity still let and gave me a chance to walk together with you to complete the task of the past and future."
Hm? Somehow it felt far from what I said that time. Having no concrete memory of what they said, they just let him continue.
"...and just last night, you said about make me as yours." At the end of his word, there's a bit hesitation and shyness in his face. Ardashir's pale complexion makes it easy to notice as he is unable to keep his eyes straight.
So far, there isn't anything that strays from their original intention from his word. This made them a bit relief as he understood well enough, but... yours? They certainly said 'mine' last night.
'Is he mean 'your' manpower?' Considering his words, there doesn't seem to be any misunderstanding between them.
Having confirmed this, the Endministrator then extended their hand. "Then shall we go?"
Ardashir' eyes shook for a split second before finally regain his usual composure, sign of hesitation still showing as he took their hand. "Where shall we go this time, Endmin?"
"Good question. I'm thinking of Valley IV's hub."
Following their word, Ardashir makes a light tap with his cane, creating a light to appear in space creating a purplish triangular portal.
"Then, lets we go."
"Yeah."
Everything began a week ago.
After exhausting their power to stop him, Ardashir doesn't have heart just to let their encounter end like that. And so to pay for the price of his own action, he accepted the final word of the Endministrator before they lost consciousness.
"...return to me. Once again serve me as Endfielder."
As it is spoken, the strong figure of the Endministrator crumbles to deep slumber. Leaving no soul to know when light will return to their eyes to see. The image from that moment shattered a layer that Ardashir had created for ten years preparing to oppose his lord, a stone cold heart of his just melted into nothingness as his heart sank and crumbled to witness it.
In the midst of uncertainty, one thing he is sure about is where he must harbor his loyalty after all these years. And so he threw the mask off and ran to them, carefully holding them—treating them like a flower that would wither from the wind, making sure that his touch wouldn't break them more than what he already did. And return them to where their heart currently belongs to.
The following event was far from pleasant, having the enemy brought their leader never a good sign. But somehow operators named Perlica and Chen trust his word about the Endministrator recruiting him, however their trust wasn't enough to let him free from their surveillance. And so for past few days he has been held in Dijiang, just last night he finally he able to get out from confinement room.
Contrast from what he expected for, there not much happened after he went out that room. Same eyes still look him with suspicion and word about him still lingering without him. The exception was that the Endministrator finally regained consciousness, and that being the most joyful information he ever wanted to hear.
Luckily he was able to meet them, seeing them in their weakened state grunching his heart and lungs, stopping him to think he deserved to live after what he had done to his precious lord. But it's not the same for them, second chance, new life, and towards the future were the words they gave him to aim for.
And so, after they finished their conversation, even though it already ended right there and then, their words still linger in his mind and keep him from sleep and nightmare. Keeping him in warmth as his heart flutters each time the words are spoken and replayed.
Ten years ago, this was the first time his heart felt truly at peace.
And back to the current time, nothing changed except for his understanding.
"Make you mine... so it's mining?"
"Yeah. Ardashir, you should be responsible for what you've done."
"...what have I done...?"
At first he thought about making the Endministator fell ill from overusing their arts and he need to make up for that, which perfectly align with what their mutual understanding is,
But...
What's the correlation between that and mining? Ardashir is oblivious about this but dares not to ask as he does not want to add more displease to his lord's heart and mind. To him, Endministator satisfaction is his first and most priority, he used to hear that someone's mood is able to affect their health. While having no accurate medical knowledge about its confirmation, Ardashir does not dare to let down their mood, even for a slight change is already risky.
And so he continues to cripple each stone in his sight and transport it to the AIC Factory with his portal. From originium to amethyst to ferium and from Hub to Valley Pass and to each corner of Valley IV.
As he works, he notice just how much Endfield' technology has scattered across Valley IV. While most of its machinery seems to be turned off, the ziplines and electricity pylon and relay seems to be still in function even though they unable to use it. The way it was placed was a bit messy but each in few show a pattern of 80 meters length one between another. From it, Ardashir able to tell just how much the Endministator took care of this place.
However he is still unable to fathom what he did to what he did right now.
Seeing how quiet Ardashir was, Endministator felt a bit concern.
There's no way he will be upset and runaway, right?
The used to be a lively expression full of smiles somehow unable to be traced on his face, he just quietly do his work, never complaining, sighing, and never smiling. Which gives an off feeling to them.
"Ardashir." They called.
"Yes, Endmin."
"Are you perhaps not curious?"
"What this might be about?"
"Um... mining and what you're working on right now."
Following their words, Ardashir glanced at the stone, himself, and back to the Endministator. "Well, I can't help being curious. However, it's only if you allow me to be one."
His answer was weird, almost he himself has no decision over himself.
"So you were curious right?"
"I do. If Endmin is kind enough to tell me, I would be honored and forever remember what you've told me for all my life."
"Stop with flattering. Since it's related to you, in the end you deserve to know."
Back to correlating, Ardashir is still far from understanding it as it became the third time he asked himself.
"The mineral you've been mining since then is the key to our AIC production. Without them, The AIC won't operate and without the power from PAC that sourced from the AIC, this material won't be able to gather." As they explain, they took one of the ferium that has been mined.
"To put it simply, both are needed to each own advantage. Sadly, an unfortunate incident happened because of our last confrontation."
Upon hearing it, Ardashir eyes havering. "Unfortunate incident... yeah, I am responsible for the Endministrator' s condition from that fight."
"No."
"No?"
"You see. I think I've miscalculated."
It felt off, Ardashir felt he was in between understanding and a void about what the Endministrator will say next. And he can fully see the void will swallow him.
"I thought it would be okay to fully move to Wuling. Yet I did not predict an accident would happen and it led to the current AIC condition."
"Accident from miscalculation... So, Endministrator, are you saying that..."
"Yes."
A short answer from the Endministrator felt like thunder right behind his ear. Ardashir can felt goosebump in all over his body, his tail griped strongly that it block blood from flowing to his leg.
"My factory is clogged."
"....."
"I thought it's enough to let them operate automatically but it seems I miscalculated with the battery production that it somehow wasn't able to power the whole AIC."
"End-Endmin...?"
"Last time I checked they were fine, but I think the anomaly started after I fell into a coma and was unable to check in periodically. Causing the power to drop to nothingness and clog for almost a whole week."
This... so it's not Aggeloi' attack...? The truth that contrasts from Ardashir's expectation gave him a sense of relief but it didn't stop from turning his leg into a jelly. If not because of his cane that supports his leg, he can be sure he already met the ground.
Noticing his paler complexion, the Endministrator felt a bit guilty for being absorbed in the factory topic. "Well, the loss is inevitable as it had been done. What you can do now is take responsibility in helping it get its power again."
"Yes... My Lord..."
Now, Ardashir can feel he is totally lost at the conversation, he didn't even notice to use their previous title to call them. Glancing back at the Endministrator, there was a satisfaction smile showing. He couldn't explain it, he was still in an unstable mind between void and void but his heart fluttered once more from their smile.
"Now, since you finished at the very last mine, let's go back to PAC."
"...Of course."
Back to PAC didn't feel any better than previous, that's what Ardashir felt.
Just as soon as they arrive, the Endministrator immediately enters the main AIC area and focuses on there for more than what he is able to tell. Hours have passed as he stood outside the area, he can't help but to wonder if they still remember his presence here. Back when he still mined those minerals, at least there was always a moment and chance for him to see them.
But it's different in the PAC area, it's full of production machinery obstructing his vision to see where and what the Endministrator is doing right now. It felt weird now when he thinking back, for these ten years, Ardashir waited for his lord so long that he felt he can wait for forever. However just being parted with them in just few distance and hours now felt too much to bear.
The peacefulness in Valley IV felt so wrong to him despite him being able to know each of every corner of this place from his ability to sense. Yet... it didn't feel right, or maybe he wasn't used to this kind of peacefulness.
Each time he let the wind brush with his hair and let the sound of grass to his ear, he felt like all of it dulling his senses despite sensing them. He hasn't completed his task and his Lord still hasn't yet achieved their goal to preserve civilization, so the peacefulness he felt right now is merely a fake one that was made from hope and delusion.
That’s why... maybe that's the reason this felt so wrong...
"...shir, Ardashir."
Hm?
"Yes, Endmin. Is there perhaps something I could help with?"
"Oh. You still there. It's too quiet I thought you already left."
"Worry not, Endmin. As long as you don't tell me to leave, I will be by your side forever." The words were bitter as he was told to leave ten years ago, "But since you said it's too quiet, should I sing a song to let you know my presence?"
"Sing? No no. Just speak whatever is in your mind."
"I... Forgive me for disappointing you but I don't think I have something interesting enough to tell you."
As much he hoped it was a lie, he didn't lie. Unable to fulfill his lord's request is painful enough, but other than the story of the past, Ardashir doesn't have anything to speak for. Even for himself.
"Really? You were much of a talker back when we first met in Wuling."
Back in Wuling, yes, back then his failure in holding his long for them caused him to speak more than what he anticipated. But now he no longer wishes for the Endministrator to be strangled by the shadow of the past, his current lord seems much happier than ten years ago and he is afraid their happiness will crumble if he reminds them of the past full of misery.
So... isn't it better if his happiness from the past crumbles over for the sake of his lord?
"...Then. Endministrator, can I ask a few questions?"
"Sure! This can also be done if you don't have a story to share."
Ardashir felt like a lump of steel just stuck in his throat, forbidding him to speak and breathe. He can tell half of him dont want himself to ask such a question. Whatever the answer the Endministrator told him, he already witnessed the answer and it's too cruel for all of him to hear.
So he kept it in his own half. But now, there's no going back.
"Endministator, do you perhaps like the AIC?"
The answer was obvious, yet there's a silence between them. Letting the wind brushed with grasses and fill their silence.
"Of course. So many people were helped from AIC and it's fun to manage it." There is a hint of true happiness in their voice, "Perlica told me that before I lost my memory, me and others already put our best in this project. Even though I have no memory of it, seeing my hardworking project able to help everyone makes my heart happy."
Such a simple word, a word filled with no maliciousness. Yet somehow it stopped his ability to breathe for a moment.
"Then... is there a specific reason for Endmin to recruit me and let me work with you... even after what I've done." Ardashir faltered at the end of his own word.
As wind delivers his word, he gets his answer.
"Ever since our first confrontation, I have already set my eyes on you for a reason that is unknown even for myself."
"....."
"At first, I thought it was a feeling of being wary of an enemy. But when you cripple that Xiranite dam easily, I feel like maybe you have the ability to help me."
"Is it... perhaps the ability to cripple those mineral stones and teleportation? For the factory?"
"Yes. At first it's just a silly thought, but now it felt real and unreal at the same time after witnessing you mining those minerals."
"I see."
Yes. The answer was truly cruel for him. Not for a reason that his lord was happier in this current moment, leaving behind all the past and memory they have with him. But because it made him hope for something that will never happen.
What if AIC was achieved ten years ago? Will his lord go into their deep slumber and leave him like right now?
Ardashir didn't dare to think about it, let alone imagine it, but he can't help but to accept what kind of future it will lead to. Maybe his Lord will be happier, they no longer need to stay awake in the middle of the night just to calculate while holding the Aggeloi from destroying the civilization.
Maybe they can oversleep and continue their routine like usual without any worry. Maybe they can just focus on the factory instead of going to war and getting hurt each day. And maybe, they will let him remain by their side, using his ability to farm more mineral stone rather than assign a cruel mission to him and tell him to leave their side.
"My Lord..."
Ardashir didn't know what to say, he just wanted to know that for once, his Lord was truly near him and he could return to their side. A whisper of praying that calling his lord, hoping this moment won't become just a fleeting moment.
Yet it's a futile.
ZIP
As the sound came from inside the AIC, his lone thought shattered, making him return to reality. A line of light was created from PAC, connecting to other facilities inside and outside it.
"Ugh. It's finally done." From the middle of factory facilities, the Endministrator finally appears while stretching their body after hours of working.
"That's wonderful to witness, Endmin."
"Yeah, the power is finally back again. Now that thing has been fixed, we can return to Dijiang and rest."
"Of course." By then, he also noticed that the sky was no longer blue and a hint of red had already spread across the sky as the sun was ready to say goodbye for today.
Without much waiting, he prepared his staff to open the portal. But before Ardashir could open it, some small force pulled his hand. "What is it, Endmin?"
"Here. Now that you got this, you no longer need to wait for hours for me."
What the Endministrator gave him was a watch, a ferium based watch that matched his color. Not only color, but its strap design somehow looks familiar to his tail.
"Endmin..."
"Take it as my apology for making you wait."
"How can I? It's solely my fault for my own decision."
"Then you reject my apology?"
"No... I..." Knowing how he's been teased by them, he just fell silent to find a proper word. "Thank you, Endministrator."
"Yeah, that's more like it."
Now that they were done in Valley IV, the Endministrator once again offered their hand to him, "Lets go back to Dijiang, Ardashir."
This time, without hesitation Ardashir accept their hand, "Yes, Endministrator."
Tick... tick... tick...
The way it tickled was soft and steady, from the sound itself Ardashir can tell just how much attention the Endministrator has put when making it. It made him happy, ever since he accepted it, he keeps glancing back at it and carefully observing each tiny detail.
At the same time, each moment he looks at the time it is shown, he can't help but to once again feel his heart about to burst. Yet this time is caused by being unable to handle the pain it gave.
As he saw his own reflection in the watch, Ardashir can tell he is the watch itself in this world. Even though it kept tickling, the time itself stopped at 5.30. Never move and never change.
"I'm sorry, My Lord."
The dream was sweet. Sweeter than any honey he ever tasted and softer than any cloud he ever reached.
But it's time to wake up.
Crack–!