After nearly three minutes of sobbing, Zavin finally let go and looked up at Linux. His eyes were stained pink from all the relentless crying. Linux looked all over him, searching for any injuries. There was none thankfully, and his Gaxtex was still firmly in place.

“What happened?” Linux asked.

Zavin sniffled and held back more sobs. “I wanted to know if you actually killed those guards, but Rugel caught me and-” He stopped and began crying again. He was subjected to such a horrifying situation at just ten years old. The fact that he could even talk at all was a miracle.

“Listen to me.” Linux tapped the side of his side. He held back his tears again. “I want you to go back home. Your parents must be worried about you.”

He shook his head. “I don’t want to. I want to help you.”

Linux sighed. Even with the threat of death and what he just went through, the boy still wants to help him out of this mess. By this point, he really was just a dumbass.

“No. If you try to do that, there’s no guarantee you’ll live.”

“I want to help, please.” Tears streamed down his cheeks in another wave. “I just don’t want to feel useless anymore.”

Zavin’s body quivered and more tears stained his eyes to the point Linux wondered if his cheeks were burning. The kid was beyond scared by this point, but he would rather be scared than to feel useless. Linux sighed. He was the same as a kid. During his father’s funeral, as he looked down at the closed casket, he felt the urge to open it and see what his powerlessness caused. He wanted to face the true meaning of death head on and walk away unscathed, if not determined.

He never did so. The thought raged in his head over and over, but he was too afraid to. Even now, as he stared at a kid who was much stronger than the past him, he wondered what would’ve happened if he let that fear go and just let his eyes feast on such a sight. Nothing good perhaps, but the emptiness that lived in him hurt more than facing his own mistakes.

“Zavin.” He slowed his crying down. “You can’t come with me. But, if you don’t want to feel useless anymore, I want you to do me a favor.” He looked around the lab. “Are the notes in here.” Zavin nodded his head and pointed to a table. Linux approached it and sifted through the pages. None of them were damaged or scarred in any way.

He held the books to Zavin, and his cries turned into whimpers. “If you want to help, then just keep on doing what I told you before. Become a genius, even more of a genius than me. Once you do that, and once you grow up, I want you to change this floor. Turn it to something that can last for a millennia instead of a few hundred years.”

Zavin nodded his head, finally wrapping his mind around about what to do. He needed a meaning in life to escape the uselessness that traveled behind him and whispered threats and deceits into his ears. With a meaning, he no longer needed to risk his life at such a young age.

“Now I want you to head back home. If you can, try to explain to them the truth. They won’t listen to you now, but you will know the truth of what happened here.”

Zavin nodded, and a smile appeared on his face. It was a perfect smile, except for one fatal error. He was missing a tooth, and at first Linux was afraid that they kicked it out or something. Then, he remembered it was the tooth that was loose. It was the last baby teeth that his mouth carried and will slowly be replaced by one that will be permanently etched in his gums.

As soon as their conversation ended, Linux guided him up the stairs. Zavin’s legs were shaking like crazy and he wanted to make sure that he didn’t trip and touch the walls. They made it up and went into the living where the first floor trio was waiting. Kauss waved to Zavin, and he waved back.

As soon as he left and shut the door behind him, Linux turned around and looked at the trio. Now that the situation with Zavin was taken care of, the hard part was yet to come.

“Okay then.” Linux said. “You three keep on the lookout up here. I’ll be down in the lab working on the weapon.”

Helona grabbed the freeze organ and tossed it to Linux. He caught it then immediately headed into his bedroom. Now that everyone was out of the lab, the lights were completely shut off. He looked down into the darkness and took one step in. The first line activated and illuminated the first section of the stairs. His heart slammed against his ribs and his feet felt like they were nailed to the floor.

He took another step, then another. The second light activated and his feet grew heavier and his heart thumped faster. His mind became lightheaded, only adding on to the sinking dread. It wasn’t the normal type of dread where someone would expect something to be waiting for them. It was a dread much worse than that. It was the type that occurred when someone feels like they’re about to lose something.

The third light activated, bathing the entire staircase in light. He stood in front of the closed lab door. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door, and what awaited him was something much worse than Rugel. What appeared in front of him was normalcy. Everything was exactly the way it was, minus the broken chair and dead body. No noise left the room except for the fated hum. It was a hum that made his ears pop and his mind weak.

Sitting on the table at the far end of the lab was the Gaxtex weapon. The faint green glow shined into his eyes, almost hypnotizing him just from gazing at it for a few seconds. He blinked and held his head, a headache forming from the depths of his mind. He looked back at the weapon again, and it tranced him once more.

Every time he looked at it, he was blinded by what he was having to do. He wanted to complete it, to finish his father’s work once and for all, but what’s left for him afterword. He’ll climb the tower, and find new stuff to create new and better Gaxtex with, that’s a given, but what did he want to create. The device that could handle long distance conversations was high on the bucket list, but what would he do in between then and now. What to do; what to do. It all came up as a blank spot in his mind.

Sighing, he walked past the corpse on the ground and placed the organ next to the Gaxtex. He took a deep breath and flexed his fingers. There was no certain time that he could point to and say it would be finished by then. He knew how to apply the organs frost into the Gaxtex, but it would involve creating a whole new Gaxtex just to fit within it. It could take as little as an hour, or as long as ten. Either way, he wiped sweat off his face and began working. Better to just start it and worry about when he would finish later.

Two hours had passed since Linux left Kauss and them to work in his lab. The first floor trio sat in a triangle placement and passed the time by talking about random shit that came to them every few minutes. For the first fifteen minutes, they just looked at the journal more, but once it became repetitive with more God talk and useless stuff, they shut it for good. The next few minutes, they reminisced about the first floor, but they stopped at the first hour. Then they talked about what each of them did when they split up at the fire. It lasted for barely ten minutes and they spent the rest of their time just talking about the random thoughts that appeared in their heads.

“What if babies are just reincarnations of dead people?” Stuff like that, Kauss could barely give two shits about.

“Are you high or something.” Helona asked.

“No, it’s just something that I think about now and again.”

“If that was the case, wouldn’t they remember their previous lives?”

“Not if they forget it.”

Kauss sighed as they talked more about a concept as stupid as reincarnation. Everyone knows that all there is after death is blackness. It’s not something he wants to admit or vocal about, but that’s all there was at the end of the alley. Did people get up and float to the sky when they die? No. They’re cremated, and either kept in vases or spread around the city. He’s not going to ruin their theories though, cause then who would be the true asshole.

Suddenly, the front door opened. They didn’t wait a single second as soon as they heard the identifiable sound of creaking wood. They ran into the kitchen and hid. The sound of the door hitting the wall and footsteps entering the home echoed into the living room and kitchen. Kauss heard only one set of feet stomping on the floor as it made its way down the hallway. The steps grew louder the closer it got to them, and he already had his knife out and ready to cut someone.

The person who entered the home walked into their line of sight. He was tall, nearly six foot five, with dark skin and turquoise eyes. He wore a coat that fell all the way to his knees, which were covered by black pants.

Kauss was the first to react to seeing him. He jumped out of their hiding spot and tackled the man to the ground, drawing his knife to the man’s throat. The man fell to the ground and struggled until he saw the blade on his throat. He gulped and locked eyes with Kauss.

“So you’re one of the first floorers.” The man said. “Nice to meet you.”

Helona walked up behind him and pointed her gun at his head. “We’re not the biggest fan of discussions. The last time we did this whole spiel, we got into a bit of a gun chase. I would recommend you to answer our questions before something as annoying as that happens.”

“What is it you want to know?”

“How many people are following you here?”

“Nobody, I came here on my own to check on Rugel.”

“And who are you?” Kauss asked.

“Pigmy Yun, a member of the council.”

Helona blinked rapidly. “Wait, a member of the council came here by himself without any guards.”

“I got my reasons which I’ll explain to you once you let me go.”

Kauss and Helona looked at each other. They shared an unspoken agreement and Kauss climbed off of Pigmy, but Helona refused to move her gun from his head. She nodded her head, motioning for him to stand. He got on his two feet and held his hands up. Killian moved in close and patted him down for anything he had on him. He felt something hard inside his coat pocket and dug into it. He pulled out the thing and saw it was a Gaxtex weapon.

It was a weapon that looked just like a rod with a button on the bottom. He pressed it and red lightning shot out of the tip and burnt into the ceiling, turning the wood black. He carefully lay it down on the floor, far away from his arm’s reach.

“So what is this thing you want to talk to Rugel about?” Kauss asked

“First of all, where is he.”

Kauss pointed to the floor. “Down there. We don’t know if he’s dead or alive though since we left Linux with him.”

Pigmy sighed and looked at them. “I just wanted to have a nice conversation with him, but I can assume I’m never getting that, am I.”

“You’ll be able to.” Helona said. “Just hope that Linux didn’t kill him.”

She pointed the gun at his head and tightened her finger on the trigger. Before she could fire it at him and blow his brains all over the wall, something flew to her feet and embedded itself in the floor. She looked down and saw a glowing green dagger. She blinked a few times, confused by what was happening. Suddenly, it burst into green electricity and the metal turned back into a silver.

She turned to where it came from and saw Linux standing in the hallway with the weapon hanging onto his shoulder by a single strap. He carried it around like a purse and emitted a faint humming sound.

“What the hell was that for?” Helona asked.

“We ain’t killing him.”

“Fuck Linux,” Kauss began his tirade. “You got to stop doing this. I swear to god if that douche down there is still alive-“

“He’s dead.”

Silence covered everyone. Pigmy gritted his teeth as someone that he’s known for over thirty years has finally perished. As for the others, they didn’t think the man had it in him. He refused to kill anyone, even when it made the most sense to do so. Now he said that he killed the man that controlled the entire floor. It seemed so outlandish that they were almost tempted to check for themselves. That wasn’t necessary, however. They could see it in his eyes. It was the look of someone taking the first ever life by their hands.

Linux patted the weapon by his side like a proud big brother seeing their baby brother taking their very first steps. He’s finished it. He had actually placed in the fan nearly an hour ago, and the final hour was spent testing to see if it’ll work. He turned it on and let it set for an extended period of time while taking notes of it. Normally, it wouldn’t last an hour before overheating and needing to be shut down. Once it passed that threshold, he was pleased, but he still sat for the extra forty minutes just to see if all it did was extend the time.

Even now, he didn’t know if all it did was extend the duration that it could last, or if it was truly working. In order to find out, he’d need to stay down here, testing it for much longer. However, he needed to leave and quickly, before he was caught again. Before they left, he needed to figure out what was happening here.

“What are you doing here Pigmy?”

“A guard named Depsy ran into the council headquarters an hour ago. According to the receptionist, he was completely out of breath as soon as he came in.”

Linux didn’t understand why he would even come back. From what Depsy said, and the fact he was alive to begin with, showed that he wanted to fight back against the council.

“What did he want from you?”

“He asked for Rugel at first, but the receptionist said he was gone. So I came out, and he punched me and started calling me all these awful things.”

Kauss chuckled and Pigmy looked at him, confused. “Well, you kinda deserve it, don’t you think?”

“I deserve nothing.” Pigmy’s voice cracked as he was forced back to defending himself. “I just followed along with what Rugel told me. Though I had my suspicions from the start. I majored in history and knew how dangerous the Gone Reds were. Rugel took me aside and said he wasn’t going to use them, only force you to reveal yourself cause he only wanted to talk.”

That time, it was Linux’s turn to laugh. As if he would just want to talk. That was the most boldfaced lie he had ever heard, but it worked and look where they were now. The land stark black for miles outside and everyone inside the domes were completely unaware that their world was just turned upside down.

“Of course, I still had my suspicions, so I approached Elest. Rugel had given him orders to stay outside Olten and execute anyone coming in. Apparently it was because he heard intel that a few guards had sided with Linux and escaped to help him.”

“He followed that order all right.” An unknown voice appeared out of nowhere. Depsy walked into the living room with broken handcuffs dangling from his wrist. A black eye was slowly healing off his face and one of his fingernails was regenerating from being completely ripped off. “I saw him cutting off a guard’s head. I couldn’t get anywhere near without calling it suicide.”

Linux couldn’t understand what was going on. He knew Rugel was planning on framing him for everything, but why go through all this extra stuff. Lying to the people he’s worked with for years, setting off the bombs and destroying their only source of survival, and letting himself die like that. He wasn’t an idiot. Linux was sure he would die right then. He was expecting to die, but why? He stared at the floor; he was standing above where the corpse would be. They’ll never figure out his motives, will they?

“Once I figured out what exactly was happening when Depsy told me his story, I was planning to force Rugel to admit to his crimes.” Pigmy looked at Linux. “How long has he been dead for?”

“Around two hours.”

Pigmy sighed. “He should be okay enough.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it.” Killian spoke up. This time, everyone turned toward him. “I’ve dealt with people like him before. He’ll never feel sorrow or remorse for anything he’s done. He thinks he’s the only one right and everyone else is going down the wrong path. Just keep him dead, it’ll save you all trouble.”

“But-“

“No, he’s right.” Kauss backed Killian up. “He may admit to doing it, but punishing a man that thinks he’s doing the right thing will only validate him more. The best punishment for him is to keep him dead.”

The first floor trio turned toward Linux. “We’re waiting for you. If you’re not out here in five, we’re leaving without you.” They walked to the door and shut it. Linux, Pigmy, and Depsy were left in an uncomfortable silence.

“What are you going to do with that?” Depsy said, pointing to the weapon in Linux’s arm. “Since it’s your father’s, are you going to take it with you?”

Linux stared down at the weapon by his side. A long time ago, he already decided what to do with it once he finished it. He thought nothing in the world would change his mind, and he could climb the tower with a memory of his father. However, after the last few events, and with new information popping up, he had to rethink his priorities.

“I’ll leave it here.”

Pigmy and Depsy looked at him as if he had gone insane. Maybe he has, but what he knew right now was that bringing it along with him would doom this floor to fall. Despite the chaos outside the dome, there was still a shot for everyone to live. All he had to do was give them the final push.

“Pigmy, listen to me. From what I heard, there is a pit underneath a pile of destruction outside. Go under it and you’ll find baby Tetson’s.”

“And I’m guessing you want me to kill them?”

Linux laughed. “For the love of God no. Take them and breed them till they become submissive. Once y’all do that, make sure they turn to nothing but cattle to be used in the future. You need those freeze organs to make more of these, and when you have enough, there may be a chance to rebuild.” Linux slung the weapon off his shoulder and placed it in his kitchen. He walked to the door and before leaving, he turned back with one final message. “Humanity has a chance to live. Don’t throw it away like everyone else has.”

He left the home, slamming the door shut behind him. All that was left behind was Depsy, Pigmy, and the hum and glow of the solution that could fix everything.

Linux walked to the first floor trio, who were already standing in front of the dome. They were waiting for him like they said, and when they saw him approaching, they looked at him. He kept his eyes on the ground, unable to lock eyes with them. They were at the final moments of staying on this floor. Whether they die, or climb the tower, this’ll be his final attempt to see the town again. Because of that, he couldn’t let his eyes up, otherwise he’ll get a glimpse of all he’s leaving behind.

Olten was their destination, and what was waiting there was layers upon layers of traps and death. At the end of the road, however, their prize waited for them, glowing with the energy that would carry them one floor up. Taking one final step, with no hesitation, a single tear sliding down his cheek as he left his father behind, he stepped outside the dome. It was all or nothing from here on out.