Finn issued the order to clear the deceased and gather them at the end of Gate G near the ocean before heading to his home in the Housing Society near Gate A.
After a few minutes, Rose visited Finn to discuss his speech.
Knock, knock...
Rose tapped on Finn's door.
"Yes, come on in," Finn replied from inside the room. He was reading some papers when he saw it was Rose who had come to visit.
"Hey Rose, what are you doing here?" Finn asked.
"I just want to thank you for... you know, for saving me twice," Rose said.
"No need to thank me. I owe you just as much for saving our people," Finn replied.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Rose's tone was hesitant and slightly anxious.
"Of course, Rose. What's on your mind?" Finn set aside the papers, giving her his full attention.
"Do you really think a war is necessary at this time?" Rose inquired.
Finn fell silent for a moment.
"Yes, I know they've initiated the conflict, but can't we handle this more diplomatically? You saved me twice, a complete stranger, yet you and those people have a history. Why not seek a more mature resolution?" Rose pressed.
"Do you believe they're the ones who started this war? No, it was me," Finn confessed.
Rose was taken aback.
"It was me who killed Lila White, the wife of Lilly White, the leader of The White Revolutionists. Lilly wasn't someone to forgive easily," Finn revealed.
"You? But why?" she asked.
"Because, it has to be done. She..." Finn was interrupted by a knock on the door.
knock, knock. Iris interrupted, asking Finn to accompany her.
"Finn, we need you at the tower," Iris said.
Finn motioned to Rose, "Hey, could you stay here until I'm back? There's something important I need to discuss with you."
Rose nodded, and Finn left the room.
Sector 201,
Home of The White Revolutionists Faction.
"Hey chief, it was a huge success. The tower has fallen," Alan informed Lilly White, Leader of The White Revolutionists Faction. She was a medium-height girl with black hair and a tattoo near her neck—a heart symbol with 'L+L' inscribed within.
Lilly chuckled. "See, I told you it would work, didn't I? Now it's time to eliminate every Marxi bastard, for Lila."
"Don't you think you're crossing a significant line here, Lilly?" Paul, one of the commanders, intervened.
"WHAT? There is no line here. Those bastards killed her. And I am going to kill them all. That is it," Lilly retorted sharply.
"Is this war worth risking our people's lives? Is her life worth all of ours?" Paul asked, concern etched on his face.
"Yes, I am willing to risk every life for her. Do you think she deserved to die? She tried to save not only us but every survivor in this wretched world. But Finn killed her, and now I am going to kill every Marxi faction member for her. I don't care if you stand against me, but I won't recommend it. You know what I will do to those who oppose me or even try to hurt me. You can ask your previous leader when you meet him in the afterlife," Lilly asserted firmly.
Paul left the room, sulking.
"Leave him, Lilly. What do we need to do now? They will obviously come for us," Alan inquired.
"We need some help. We can't face them head-on. Yes, they have fewer numbers, but we can't underestimate them. They have some of the best weaponry in this world, and there's Finn. We can't fight them with our numbers," Lilly replied.
"So, what's your plan then?" Alan inquired.
"We are going to need the help of the Browns," Lilly declared.
"Shit, those fucking cannibals," Alan exclaimed.
Lilly nodded.
Alan was disgusted by the thought of aligning with the Browns.
"Why do you think they would help us?" Alan asked.
"It will be a fair trade," Lilly replied before adding, "We will get revenge for killing Lila, and they will get their food. Simple."
Alan was too stunned to speak.
"I have sent Dylan to Huran for negotiations," Lilly explained.
"Wait, WHAT? Dylan?" Alan asked, concern evident on his face.
"Relax, Al. He is the best negotiator in our faction, and he will be safe. Don't worry; I have sent a few with him," Lilly assured Alan about Dylan's safety and left the room. Alan followed her.
City of Huran,
House of The Browns Faction
In a room, a chorus were singing hymns. In an adjacent room, a man shouted as others tied him to a chair. "Leave me, leave me."
Then, a man wearing pastor's attire, adorned with a reverse cross around his neck and tattoos covering his arms, entered. He held a book inscribed as The Brown Bible.
"Mr. George, how many times must I prove to you that I am the chosen one? I don't want to lose any more people. You are the sheep I came to protect, and I need your belief. I will protect you from this wretched world," Michael Brown, the leader of The Browns, said.
"Fuck you... Fuck you and your blasphemy. It's just shit," George spat at Michael's face.
Michael laughed. "Every chosen man was treated like this. Nobody believes in us at the start, but when we're gone, people search for us. But this time it is going to change. I will change you people. I will make you believe I am the chosen one who will protect you from this wretched world and take you to the place that once was given to Adam and Eve, The EDEN," he declared as his men took George away.
His men dragged George to a red room, while Michael proceeded to the room where masses had gathered, singing hymns about him. He stood on the pulpit, about to preach a sermon.
"Brothers and sisters, listen to my words and heed them. There is a war coming, a big war that will threaten our existence, but fear not because I am here. I will guide you through this war. Believe in me and sing for me. I will go to war and ensure our victory because our God doesn't leave us. Now pray for Brother George, as he is going to transcend and become one of us," he concluded the preaching and bowed his head to pray.
The chorus sang louder, while in the red room, George was tied to a chair, and the men prepared a drilling machine and other torture weapons.
Machine whirling noises...
A man held the drilling machine and punched a hole through George's hand.
"AHHHH... AHHH," George screamed in agony.
Michael finished the sermon, and as all the people left for their homes, a man approached him and whispered, "Brother, The White negotiators have arrived."
"Good, let them rest in the main hall," Michael ordered.
Dylan sat in a chair near a table. Michael entered the room and Dylan rose to greet him. As Michael sat across Dylan their conversation began.
"Hello Michael, I know you expect Lilly to come but she couldn't make it to this meeting because she's busy preparing for the upcoming events," Dylan explained.
Michael nodded, acknowledging the explanation. "What is it you want?" he asked, cutting straight to the point.
"It's simple. We need your men for the upcoming war," Dylan stated plainly.
"And what's in it for us?" Michael inquired, his tone betraying a hint of skepticism.
"Every war has its winners and losers, and with war comes spoils. Everything will be yours - the spoils, the defeated. All we need is justice for Lila," Dylan replied confidently.
"So, do we have a deal? The Browns and The Whites versus The Marxis," Dylan proposed.
Michael fell silent for a moment, contemplating the proposition. Then, he began to speak.
"I was chosen as the protector of the people of Earth, but you want me in a war. However, God has spoken to me; this war is an honest one, a righteous one. You're fighting for justice, and I agree with the terms. I will help you win the battle," Michael declared, rising from his seat.
With a firm nod, Michael extended his hand, signaling his agreement. Dylan reciprocated, and they shook hands, sealing the deal.