Chapter Text
Two men sat on the edge of a tower, watching stars light up the sky above the country they built. They sit in silence until one of them speaks out.
“Hey Saps?”
“Hmm?”
“If there really is a life beyond death, I hope I can be your friend again.”
“Aww, getting sentimental on me now Flux?”
“Oh shut up.”
As the two continue to bicker, a shooting star streaks across the sky.
Fluixon was having an awful day.
Not only did those idiotic leaders completely ignore his concerns about island 1, not only did they do the exact opposite of what he wanted, he also had to get demoted by the Luminaran council! It was a complete and utter outrage, in his efforts to save the thousands of people he swore to protect from what was absolutely an incoming threat, he only managed to harm his reputation and power.
So it was no wonder why, after a day full of foolish, nonsensical decisions and discussions, he’d take Saps up on his offer to relax at his vacation home.
“Do you really consider this a fun activity?” Saps asked over his shoulder, looking over at his sketch for a new roof.
“If it means I won’t have to be greeted by the horrendous sight of your current roof” He shivered at the mere thought of Saps’ barn roof, who in their right mind would pair an acropolis with a barn roof?
“You just don’t get my creative vision!” Saps pouted.
“Oh sure.” Fluixon said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Saps playfully nudged him before heading to the kitchen to cook dinner.
Fluixon made sure Saps was distracted before opening his communicator. There was a message from Thomas asking about the time and date of their next meeting, everyone was thankfully free in the afternoon of tomorrow. This meeting was crucial, if his plan were to be executed flawlessly, the invasion of island 1 could still be thwarted.
As he looked back to Saps, he couldn’t help but wonder if he should’ve let Saps in on his plans. He was a trusted mediator that could help convince the more...mentally challenged leaders to follow Fluixon’s plan. He shook his head, he knew Saps would never agree to his methods, he was too much of a pacifist, a trait he both admired and loathed.
“Alright dinner’s ready!” Saps called out which snapped Fluixon out of his thoughts. As Saps plated the dishes and sat down, he decided to just enjoy this moment with his best friend, it may very well be the last peaceful moment he’ll experience before all hell breaks loose.
Saparata smiled as he saw Flux laugh. It was nice to see his friend happy after the events of today, even if he didn’t necessarily agree on Flux’s...rather extreme views on island 1, he didn’t need to get demoted because of it!
“These are- they’re actual buildings in the Cass Coalition?” Flux chuckled. When Saparata still lived in the Cass Coalition, he got used to the sight of strange and unique designs of some homes, the coalition prided itself on its ideals of freedom after all, but now looking back on some of them, Cass proabably should’ve stepped in with her building inspector plan much earlier.
“I think this one somehow made it past the quality inspection.” He said as he pointed to a picture of a den someone made, he thinks the person was called Zack?
“No way.” Flux scoffed, “Cass should’ve hired me instead, I would’ve done this job for free.”
Saparata giggled, it seems like he’s need to do this more often. Who knows how Flux would react to the various styles of Commonwealth architecture.
“Didn’t Cass give you a tour of the coalition before?” Saparata asked. “I thought you’d know all about the state of architecture in the Cass Coalition.”
“Well it seems Cass decided to hide the more atrocious parts of her nation from me.” Flux rolled his eyes before a yawn escaped out of him.
“Well I think that’s the sign for us to stop.” Saparata says as he closes his journal. It was full of pictures and stories of his travels through each nation of Pandora before he decided to become a hermit.
“Have you finished the guest room already?” Flux asked.
Saparata blinked, “It may have slipped from my mind.” He sheepishly replied before being met with a disappointed stare from Flux.
“Well then, it seems I’ll sleep on the couch again and no, I’m not arguing with you about this for the fiftieth time.” Flux said quickly as Saparata was about to interject. He’d always insist on letting Flux sleep in his bedroom while he took the couch but every time, Flux would stubbornly proclaim that he’d take the couch.
“Alright fine.” He raised his hands in a surrender position. “Goodnight Flux!” He cheerfully said as he headed for his room.
“’Night.” Quietly replied Flux.
“I’m surprised Solev, you never make deals like this.” Said Ish, an amused grin on his face.
“I know, but I owe a huge favor to someone and this is my only chance to repay it.” Solev replied. Elanuelo had always been his most reliable ally throughout his days as a player. The man helped him run both his union and his sanctuary and in the latter, even took over when Solev couldn’t function after that bomb explosion.
“So what are you willing to offer for this?” Ish asked. “There’s a reason why I take away the memories of the players’ previous lives.”
“You need a strong dictator for the next season, use me again, you know I have the skills to do so.” He declared, he just hoped it would be enough for Ish.
“Really? You want me to restore their memories of the previous season just for your cooperation in Imperia?” Ish mocking asked. “That’s not enough.”
Solev scowled, it seems he may have to drag Elanuelo into another hell with him. Then again it may be deserved, if he wasn’t such a bad father to begin with, they wouldn’t have needed to make this plan in the first place!
“Then use both me and Elanuelo, we’re both willing to do it if you just grant me this one wish.” Solev said desperately as a hint of a satisfied smile made its way onto Ish’s face.
“Alright, I accept.” Ish stated to which Solev sighed.
“Thank you for your help Ish.” Solev bowed before teleporting away to Elanuelo.
“Did he agree to it?” The former Aculon emperor asked.
“Yes but on the condition that we’ll be the ‘villains’ of the next experiment again.” Solev replied.
“That’s fine with me, as long as my children can live the lives they deserved, I’m satisfied.” Elanuelo breathed out a sigh of relief.
“And we have to go through all of this effort just because you couldn’t be a good dad to your children?” Solev raised an eyebrow at him. As much as he respected Elanuelo, the other could infuriate him to no end with some of his more idiotic, paranoia fuelled decisions.
“I’m sorry.” The other man said quietly.
Solev sighed, “I just hope that your idea will go according to plan.”
As Ish watched over the sleeping forms of Saps and Flux, he looked down at the world of his second 4 islands experiment.
“Have sweet dreams you two.” He says as he returns their memories of their past life together to them.