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"I need your help finding this place. Together, we can find the tomb." His words hung heavily in the air.
As Wemmbu and Null Leader Spoke stood upon the balcony, the vast empire stretches beneath the both of them. From afar, the tall castles and buildings seemed peaceful. Their gazes land on eachother, their expressions couldn't have been more different. But the tension still remained, as the anxious stretch of silence lingered further.
Spoke gazed at his empire, looking smug. His posture relaxed as he leaned against the balcony railing. There was an aura of effortless confidence in him, as if he knew how the conversation was going to end.
Wemmbu was the exact opposite. His shoulders tensed, his eyes constantly shifting betweem Spoke and the view from above, unable to hide the concern in his face. Wemmbu suddenly started speaking, "No, I—I'm not joining. Your army is cool and all, but I'm not risking it."
Spoke raised an eyebrow, “But you'll have anything.”
Wemmbu looked at him.
“You'll have your freedom,” Spoke continued. “You won't be used as a weapon just like every other civilization you joined.”
For a moment, Wemmbu said nothing.
The offer sounded tempting.
More tempting than he wanted to admit.
Freedom.
That was all he'd wanted for so long.
To stop being dragged from one conflict to another. To stop being treated as simple as just a "weapon". Wemmbu just wanted to explore the server in peace, with his friends. To stop being used whenever people liked.
But there was something about Spokes words that made Wemmbu hesitate.
"No, no. Sorry, I won't," Wemmbu said. "I have to keep Egg safe from now on."
"But he's already taking a liking to me."
Wemmbu froze. He hated that Spoke was right.
Eggchan believed Spoke. Egg had started seeing him as someone he can rely on.Someone he could trust. Wemmbu couldn't afford to lose Egg again over another tyrant. Before Wemmbu could even speak, Spoke suddenly said—
"Come live with us in the empire, there's a room waiting for you.."
Wemmbu was surprised. Did Spoke really want to recruit him? "Wha-"
"Just let us adore you. Today, right here, right now.. You'll get your freedom, you'll be able to roam around as free as a bird with your little friend Egg.."
Just him and Egg, living freely inside an empire that seemed to have everything they could possibly need.
It sounded almost perfect.
Too perfect.
...
Wemmbu wanted to believe Spoke. He really did. But he didn't want to make the same mistake again. Not again.
——
"Alright, alright, If you don't want to join, it's fine!" Spoke gave him a small smile, befong continuing, "You're still welcome here, I mean, that house the Null built you? It's all yours, really! And invite Minute next time, because I'm sure you brang him here today, didn't you?"
"How did you know."
Spoke ignored the question, as he turned his back away from Wemmbu and walked off as if nothing had ever happened.
"Wait—" But no response came from the other sidem as Wemmbu was left there in silence.
Maybe Wemmbu did believe him.
Just maybe.