Chapter 24, "I've Waited Long"

Chapter 24, "I've Waited Long"

Sams breath hitched. Somehow, just from a glance, just by comparing the pure sense of power permeating the air around him, she could tell that this man was beyond Frank. His ??? was beyond Franks in a way that Sam just couldnt understand. Who the hell was this? What the hell was a Divine Human? Had they-, had they captured an angel? No, going by the way this man looked, the way his every move and every breath seemed to move the world around him by manner of pure intent, he seemed more like a demon.

That was how Sam regarded the man sitting beyond the glass wall. Georges perception was both more and less nuanced, in part because he didnt have her intuitive sense of how strong other people were.

All he knew was that this man, this person sitting in the deepest recesses of the Other Island, guarded by the Strongest Fighter in the world, must have been a fantastically powerful otherworlder. That was all he knew, and although a faint idea seemed to tug at the back of his mind, that this man seemed almost familiar, he ignored it fully. Itd be a cold day in hell before he let his thoughts wander in such a direction.

Darius was about to ruin that self-imposed chastity. My He cant recognize your scents at all. Fascinating.

Is he supposed to? George asked, his eyes narrowing.

Darius gave a quick nod. To be absolutely clear, what youre looking at is not just a one-sided mirror, but also Currently, the worlds most dangerous subject. Though, the fact that he hasnt recognized you yet is a good thing, as it means we have some time to discuss matters before you initiate conversation with him. Unless you would rather that Inmate Wiedemann explain his situation to you himself?

Any calm that had previously possessed the two siblings now completely escaped them. They both turned to Darius with complete and utter befuddlement, mouth pressed into thin, white lines.

...Did I perchance not tell you? Pardon me, I-, Frank, would you be so kind as to give me Inmate Wiedemanns black card? Darius asked, turning to Frank who was still cowering behind him, though more so out of fear of the man on the other side of the window than Sam and George (a perfectly adequate reaction by all measures). Frank fumbled with his robes for a few seconds before handing Darius a business-card sized black piece of paper. Darius, in turn, handed it to George. This is his status. Considering Sams occupation, Im sure you will find the layout to be familiar.

Divine Human, Lv. 999+

Guardian of Sacred Walls

War of the North, Survivor, Fugitive

Sam turned to George. The confusion they shared, the uncertainty and fear it was equal in both their eyes. But they had asked for this. To meet the brother they thought had died.

As it turns out maybe he had. Though not in a physical manner.

...Yes. Were ready, George said, turning to the window. Kreig was still pouring out over the paper. His hair was long and unkempt, but it had the same black, charcoal hue as Goerges own and their mother did. Although his eyes werent visible, somehow, George could tell that they wouldnt be anything pleasant to look at.

When Darius spoke in the affirmative, twisted a key and pressed a button, and when the one-way mirror changed into a mere glass window, and when Kreig then glanced up, his hollow, far-away eyes settling grandly on the two siblings, Georges beliefs were reaffirmed. Those eyes were not the eyes of a common man. Those eyes had seen war. War and death and the cause and effect that those two had. He had caused them, too. His eyes were hollowed-out white holes, as if someone had scooped holes in a rotten log.

And he didnt speak a word. He looked at Darius, at Frank, at Sam, and, finally, at George. Not a single glint of recognition shone in his eyes. If anything, he seemed mildly confused.

Darius patted George on the shoulder. Go on, tell him the good news.

To George, it felt like Darius was way too happy here. Frank was terrified (rightfully so, from what George could tell), Sam was anxious and George felt no different. Still, he would do as Darius said. So, he took a step forward, established that he was the one who would speak, and cleared his throat. I-, erm. Good evening. K-, Kreig. Its Its been a while, huh?

Kreig didnt even blink. He just sat there, glued to his chair. Hed stopped painting though, his entire attention focused on George.

M-, My name is George, and this is Sam, and And were your family. Uh. Brother and sister. And youre our brother. Did-, did you know we-,

The pen in Kreigs hand literally exploded. Wooden splinters and sawdust burst from where his hand was, and without so much as glancing at the feat of unbelievable strength, Kreig stood up, and walked closer to the window. Good God, he was large. Kreig had always been a bit taller than George, and broader, too. But this was ridiculous. George was perfectly dwarfed, forced to arch his neck just to meet Kreigs eyes.

Then, Kreig spoke. Ive waited long.