"The first duty of a man is to think for himself"

― José Martí

He calmed himself down as he pushed the urge away. The body still was bleeding as it began to spread. Alaric stood up, but stumbled as he leaned against the wall as he closed his eyes again. I guess I got something to talk to Lisa about now he thought as he wryly laughed. He stumbled again as he made his way out of the ruins, wincing as he tripped and fell down at the entrance. He heard voices as he barely managed to look up again to see two of his platoon members come towards him, not knowing exactly who they were. They picked him up as a smile made its way on his face as they carried him to the truck.

"What in the world happened to him?"

"Relax Sophia, we don't know either, we just found him like this."

Ajax sighed as he mumbled something, most likely bad mouthing her again as he held Alaric.

"Anyways, get him in here and let's take him back."

Sophia replied as she got into the driving seat and slammed the door closed. She started the gear as she looked forward, not looking back at them.

They changed seats this time as Lein sat in the front, leaving Lisa and Ajax on both sides of Alaric.

Lisa looked at Alaric, a small grin on her face as she stroked his hair softly.

"What's so funny Lisa?"

"What makes you think that Ajax?"

"The fact you're smiling, it seems you know what happened to him am I right?"

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't." Lisa teased playfully as she didn't stare back at Ajax, keeping her attention on Alaric, who now was sleeping.

"If you harm him, even just a scratch, I'll make sure to end your existence personally."

Ajax said intimidatingly, surprisingly taking on a more serious tone than usual.

"Oh my, so scary~. You don't have to worry about anything, I need him alive."

"So you're manipulating him?"

"Oh my, I never said anything about that."

"Yes yes....but I'm watching you White Witch." Ajax said as he whispered the last part in her ear before he moved away, staring back at the moving scenery.

Lisa didn't reply as she sighed. "Seems I have been caught." She said playfully as she snickered, changing her attitude almost instantly as she continued stroking Alaric's hair. She closed her eyes as she got some rest, knowing they had a good amount of time before they got back.

The sound of a bump and the screeching of tires woke up the two as the car stopped. Alaric rubbed his eyes, surprised by the fact of not feeling blood. He realized he was resting on something comfortable as he looked up, his eyes meeting with Lisa's.

"Sleep well?"

"It was average."

"Shy I see, I guess that's cute too."

"Where did I say I was shy, and no, that's disgusting."

Alaric sighed as he pushed himself off of her legs and yawned. Getting out on the other side of the car.

"I'll report to the captain, for now pack up and head back to the dorms. I'll notify you when the teacher gives us our next assignment."

Sophia turned around and walked away as she told them with Lisa following behind her.

Alaric walked over for a moment and grabbed Lisa's hand.

"I need to talk to you about something."

"Are you asking me out? How bold of you, you're getting me excited."

"Yes yes, very funny. Meet me in front of the academy at eight."

"Ok, but your confession better be good or I'm gonna be pissed."

Alaric rolled his eyes as he let go of her and walked back towards Lein and Ajax.

"So what was that about Alaric? Trying to pick up girls again?"

"No, just some small business to take care of. I'll see you guys later, I have some things to take care of."

"Alaric! If you need help I'm always happy to help."

"I doubt that.....Thank you Lein, I'll be sure to come to you when I need it."

Alaric gave a fake smile to him, causing Lein to smile in return. Alaric took a deep breath as he walked ahead of them, putting up his equipment and quickly leaving.

He checked the time on his phone as he mumbled to himself.

"Enough time to make a visit I guess."

He changed his course for the academy towards the train station. He quickly bought a ticket and boarded the train.

He closed his eyes as the train began to move forward. He hadn't seen his sister for a couple months and now that he had the time, he finally could. He smiled knowing her reaction would mostly be excited; being able to see him after a long time.

The more he thought about his sister, the more his smile faded. She was disabled and hurt badly from the event which took their mother's life. Even though she was happy, he knew there was a sadness that she kept to herself so others wouldn't be troubled. This very fact hurt him as he sighed, knowing she was the only one person he could be honest with.

He was snapped out of his thoughts as the train stopped at his destination, He got off as he began to walk again, making his way towards one of the nearby apartment complexes.

He passed through many of the rooms before stopping and knocking on the door. Soon footsteps could be heard along with a familiar voice coming from behind the door.

"Hello? Who is it?"

"It's me, Alice, sorry for not visiting for a bit."

The sound of the door being unlocked and opening could be heard as a mature-older looking person could be seen. She smiled softly as she hugged him.

"It's been a while Alaric, I'm sure Kate would be glad to see you."

"Alice? Do we have a visitor?" A softer voiced asked from within the house.

Alaric stepped into the house as he looked around, seeing that nothing really changed in the last couple months since he had last been here.

"Who do you think it is?" He smiled genuinely as he chuckled.

"Alt!" Kate cried as she finally appeared from the corner in a mobility scooter. Alaric winced seeing that she was still injured, although he knew he didn't have the money to get it fixed.

"Is something wrong Alt?"

"No Kate, just been a while since I saw you. It's nice seeing you happy like this."

"I'm always happy! So, how has the academy been? "

"Not bad actually, I got to move up a class. So I'm one step closer to helping my cute little sister."

He smiled, patting her head as he saw her smile. His heart ached secretly as he slipped some lies into there, he inwardly laughed at his hypocrisy.

"He checked the time as he frowned. "Sorry Kate, I have to go do to some arrangements. I promise I'll visit again real soon ok?"

"Already? F-fine...I love you brother."

"I love you too." Alaric smiled softly as he kissed her on the cheek as he left the house and bid farewell to Alice and Kate.

He made his way back to the station as he waited for the train. He blocked out the constant yelling and loud noises as he thought to himself as he sighed. His sister was disappointed at him. Even if she tried to hide it, he could tell. He felt sick to his stomach that he couldn't help her as he yelled in frustration, ignoring the new attention from the surroundings.

He quickly boarded the train as it arrived and began looking for a seat. He walked to the back till he found a seat that was not surrounded by people as he took a seat. He closed his eyes as he dozed off, trying to rest as the train made its way back to the academy.

As the day changed and the moon shone down the train came to a stop. Alaric woke up groggily as he checked the time, seeing he was just on time. He slowly made his way off the train as he cleared his mind. He took a deep breath as he made his way to the academy.

He stopped when he saw Lisa standing at the gate, waving towards him. He waved back as he took on a more solemn expression.

"Did you wait long?"

"No, Not a-"

"I don't really care, it was a joke."

"Rude!" Lisa yelled as she playfully hit his shoulder. "So, what did you want?"

"Let's go somewhere....more private."

"How daring, already going to push me down so soon?"

Lisa smirked as she giggled. Alaric didn't care to respond as he grabbed her hand and tugged her along, making sure they were alone as he stopped and turned around.

"Back at the ruins...explain what I saw."

"Whatever could you mean."

With one quick step Alaric moved towards her. He grabbed her by her collar as he pushed her against the wall, his eyes glaring at her.

"Don't fuck with me Lisa! Explain! Why did that mortem. And the eyes, explain it all!"

Lisa looked at him absentmindedly as she simply pushed him away as his grip was lost. She walked towards him with a smile as she leaned forwards.

"The truth."

"How does tha-......you mean?"

Lisa giggled as she nodded as she stepped away. She placed her hands behind her back as she walked around Alaric.

"You see my dear contractee. One of the powers of your eyes is that they can see all the truths of this world, no matter what they be. In addition, as you have experienced they can look into the future for a moment. But how well and what they can do depends on you. So yes, that mortem was human."

Alaric eyes widened in surprise as he looked at her.

"So are you saying...we've been fighting our own all this time?"

"Yes and no. Remember Alaric, truths are never simple. They are complex, and usually, have the power to change the world. But it's human themselves who are the ones who use that truth to change that world. So Alaric, now that you know? What will you do about it.?

Lisa stopped moving as she leaned over from behind, resting her head on his shoulder. Alaric thought about it for a moment as he turned around and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"What exactly are the higher-ups planning since they made us think they were fake beings."

"Don't get them wrong Alaric. Monsters and Mortems still do exist since the collapse, they just added an extra variable into the equation. They just made you perceive them since birth when they implanted you with the chips."

"Why would that though? You never answered my question, and why do you know so much?"

"I have no clue Alaric, I just am friends with the ones at the very top. So once again Alaric, now that you know the truth, and that you have the power to change the world, what will you do? You see Alaric, I want to destroy this world of lies and build it anew, so will you help me?"

Lisa smiled as she held her hand out to them. It was tempting to Alaric as he hesitated to take it. He thought about it as Kate flashed through his mind. He sucked in a deep breath as he breathed it out slowly. He took her hand as he looked into Lisa's eyes.

"So what do we do first Lisa?"

"Come to my room and I'll fill you in on what we will do next ok? And by the way, you never had the say in the matter, either way, you would've been helping me my little contractee."

Lisa giggled as she let go of his hand, smiling as she thought of the feeling in her head as she skipped away. Alaric, on the other hand, mumbled as he made his way back to his dorm as he sighed.

"What have I gotten myself into?"