Downgrade

Sand Dune Confession

The family had been a rare thing for most of the Era. Some came from the orphanage, independent ones, or just from the streets lurking by. They are lost souls trying to find what's right and are worth their lives. They were pieces being shattered by the status. Era, a team who had fallen in life but eager to keep alive. Not for revenge but for justice and faith. Their drive is getting stronger, pushing them up to their limits. A smirk welcomed everyone inside a junk typed house - Mr. Owen's place. Everything is not in order and that made Cody listless as being an organized person.

It's been thirty minutes when they arrived. The team was busy and doing their parts. "It's been so long since the last time you visited me here, Guilbert." Mr. Owen muttered, sipping his hot coffee. "What took you so long to visit me again? Is everything doing well for you two?"

Guilbert was sitting across at him together with Kinzel. The others are in the basement, keeping themselves busy packing some oil. Kinzel looked at the man with guilt. She couldn't take the risk of giving their uncle about their plans and establishing a group to dismantle the system. They don't want him to worry just like before and have him taking doubts about what's going on. They need to be steadfast with their goal. Guilbert held Kinzel's hand below the table and smiled at her. Looking into her eyes, he assured the woman that everything will be fine, and it's fine to not tell the man about their real agenda why they visited him.

They owe their lives to him and a part of them still wanted to be with Mr. Owen. Kinzel and Guibert were with him when they're still kids. Just like Cody and Vixen, Mr. Owen fetched and saved them from the Orphanage. He was their hero – the man that took their father's role. They lived with him up until their legal age. They made a bond that no one can destroy.

When it was their time to leave and have their own path, Guilbert would often just visit Mr. Owen, bringing him some goods and corn coffee – his favourite. The man had taught them things in order for them to keep still with their lives, training them each and every day in combat. Kinzel embraced sadness. The day is almost too beautiful to have someone died with his sins or maybe ruin his plans to seek oppression. She couldn't afford to lose a person she loves for their goal. They needed to keep the truth.

"Ah, the thing is…we want to have some slime, uncle." Kinzel said shyly, rubbing her hands on her tattered faded blue jeans. She tried to put on a smile and pretended that everything is okay and there was no agenda being hidden. After all, she's the only one who seems to be oblivious at the moment. She couldn't deny the fact that lies are being shared with the person they call as a family. Her heart stopped and was crying for mercy.

Slime – one of the things they need and will use once they get to the next level. Guilbert's shoulders cocooned under his scarf, patiently waiting for the man's response. Rubbing his thick beard, Mr. Owen's eyes fixated on both of them, as if he's trying to dig deeper than what he sees in front of him. He was a father, after all, he knew that something is off, but he instead decided to keep himself shut and wait for his kids to tell the truth.

"Mhmm…I can give you some. But you should tell me why you need it." His voice was deep. His muscles are too hard to handle together with his purple sleeveless. He had been working out. Perhaps, packing sand and delivering them to the market is his exercise. The dust just went in his kitchen – everything seems fine to Mr. Owen, but it was the opposite to them – a total mess. His house was located near a cliff. Two boulders can be seen at the very edge of it, enough to stop anyone from falling below. Dust is everywhere, from his bookshelves, drawers, kitchen sink and even in his bedroom. Mr. Owen didn't bother cleaning his own place. He knew that it will end up being pointless and will just drain his energy – his house is in the dust, literally.

"Uhm, we need it to make some moldings. You know, just like before, miniatures. Kinzel…and I are planning to sell some next month. It's better than doing illegal ones." Guilbert pondered, putting his arm around Kinzel's shoulder and gently pressed it. "Oh yes, we need it to mold some of our designs, uncle." The woman added.

Mr. Owen pulled his tenacious sight out of the two, leaning over his chair. Crossing his arms, he said, "Then I should start grinding." He laughed all of a sudden. Slime is his power. A different one. To think his job is also helping him in getting his power, his body is literally producing slime. His sweats are turned into it. He needs to work in order to produce an amount of slime. Taking his clothes, he started to do some push-ups. Guilbert went to the kitchen and brought back a black pail to be filled with slime later.

"Are you sure you're going to fill this pail wholly, uncle?" Kinzel said and was kind of worried.

"Oh yes, dear. I just sold the ones over the drawers I saved just two days ago. That earned me a lot. I didn't know slime is on the trend nowadays. So, I need to do this again. And don't give me that look. I'm still sturdy." He assured her.

"Then what should we do so we can at least help you out while you're uh…exercising?" She asked.

"You can take some rest. Your friends are taking care of the basement right?"

Guilbert walked around the living room. He saw something familiar – a piece of paper with a child's drawings – an ocean with birds flying freely above. People are enjoying and playing. It was a dream being drawn by a child – it was his. He slowly pulled it from the top of the drawer, where they used to light some candles before going to sleep or just pray to those from above. They believed that the ones who died are still looking over them and giving them guidance in enduring daily pains and hopes. "You remember that thing?" Kinzel said behind her. She was also looking at the paper. He nodded silently and continued to watch what he drew a long time ago. Memories. The thing that keeps them drive to do their plan, their main goal.

"We will go there soon," Guilbert said. He was dead serious – a promise to himself and unto the others was just made.

After some time, Mr. Owen stopped and carefully sat on the floor. The pail was filled with pale white slime. He was languid. "Aye, child. Come and lend me some help." He demanded. The two immediately rested upon their feet and help the man. Kinzel grabbed her clean towel and carefully damped it with his sweats. A fresh scar on his right cheek can be seen clearly by the woman. He was closing his eyes as he catches his breath. Guilbert grabbed a glass of water and assisted him in drinking. With his age, a fifty-five-year-old man, sometimes it will be difficult for him to handle things around, especially with his job. Kinzel was worried about his state.

"Are you okay, uncle? Do you need some medications again?" She timorously asked.

The man gently held his hand unto her palm, patting it several times. He nodded silently.

"Where did you get that scar?" Guilbert took a look at it. It was a large one enough to be recognized as one. Base on it, it didn't come from an accident but from the hands of a killer.

"Have you been into secluded places again? Are you doing that thing again, uncle?" Guilbert now did look him in the eyes. It was turning rage and he was serious.

"W-What are you talking about?" Mr. Owen stuttered and couldn't dare to look him back in the eyes. It was definitely a lie from him, Guilbert thought. He still does it, every time when he has the chance to do it. When did the old man learn to lie? Is it for his own safety? Or is it because he doesn't want to see such disappointment in the eyes of the children he once called as his own? Guilbert knew the answer – it was fear. Fear made Mr. Owen dwell with the lies in the city. Why did he do it? It is self-pity that drove him off?

Guilbert harshly grabbed the man through his shoulders. He's not thinking straight. Kinzel was shocked and was trying to pull him off but his grasp was solid. "G-Guilbert…" Kinzel said, almost in silence.

Mr. Owen tried to look him straight, but he couldn't do it for long. He was conscious. "You don't have the right to hold me like this, Guilbert." He opted.

Guilbert's eyes showed desire to thwart but somehow dread. He was scared. He was scared that something might happen to Mr. Owen. They couldn't lose him. They still need him somehow...as a parent. "Why…Why are you doing it again?!" Guilbert gritted his teeth, shaking. His nails dug deeper on the man's arm. Tears fell rapidly through his cheeks. He was desperate for an answer. An answer that will tell him the reason why Mr. Owen is doing the thing again – being a negotiator with the Elites and the Royal's army. It was his old job. A negotiator with the traders in both levels. He was a bridge. A connection. But it was an eerie stead. Gunpowder, dangerous explosive devices, power up potions and bane are the things to be transacted. But a person will earn a lot. At the same time, his other foot is buried in the sand, and no signs that his life will be taken away – either naturally or it will be bloodshed.

"How many times do I need to tell you…you don't need to do such a thing again?!" Guilbert's voice raised. His shoulders are moving up and down. Kinzel pulled one of his arms but he immediately shrugged her off.

Suddenly, Mr. Owen pushed Guilbert away from him, enough to catch him off guard. He was now angry.

"Do you think I have a choice?!" He shouted. Vixen and Loshiana ran towards them, stopping by just some steps away. They didn't say anything. Kinzel was sure that the others heard the noise. Their faces couldn't paint what's going on.

"Go downstairs. We'll be the one to handle this." Kinzel whispered and instructed them. The two girls nodded and went slowly, without letting the men notice their presence. Kinzel looked back to Guilbert and Mr. Owen, she sighed.

"Can you just take things in a peaceful way?" Kinzel pleaded.

"No." Both the man said in chorus.

Suddenly, they disappeared through the thin air in front of Kinzel. Guilbert just used his transportation power. He led them both to the cliff, where they can talk man to man. Guilbert sighed and didn't utter any word. He waited for the man to explain himself. He heard Mr. Owen's footsteps coming at him. He slowly raised his head and looked at him. Tears in the presence of guilt were shown in the face of Mr. Owen. He embraced Guilbert just like a longing father who hasn't seen his own child for a long time. He missed him. Guilbert was shocked but slowly, the moment welcomed him and eventually he hugged the man he knew as his second father.

"You should explain yourself." He muttered.

Slowly, both of them pulled off from the hug and sat on the ground. The view wasn't that horrific, instead, it was peaceful. A clear image of the river can be seen from the distance. Below them, was the old clothing factory that had also been abandoned. The Long Range fountain and the circular opening of the levels are there too. Embreal City can be a nice place to look at from afar. But in near, it's dreadful.

"When you left me for good, a man came over my house. He was wearing a black cloth, covering his face, except for his eyes. From what I've seen he got the same age as you. I didn't know how he located me but he surely has the knowledge of the place here. He told me that a job is open for a person like me. It was an opportunity…I needed to grab it. I went with him to the Upville, the usual place where transactions are made. It was the time I knew that he dragged me into the job that I was trying to run over my life. I got no choice…I was starving…I needed money, a work to keep me alive." He wiped his tears and looked over the horizon.

"You could have put yourself in the market instead. Go sell some wild flowers, or scallops, might even as well try shred some wool. You have a choice. You always have a choice, but you decided to come back from what's hunting you." Guilbert expressionlessly said.

"You're the only ones who succeeded to stop me from continuing that job. But I guess, it's my destiny. The truth is…the man who brought me to the place again…was the Jack."

Guilbert stared at him. Jack. The same name he heard from Vixen. He knew that the man is showing off his presence again and doing some unbearable for himself, and not for the Royals. The Royals might even have a death or life situation with the Jack. He hissed.

"Of all the people you're going to have a connection with, why the Jack? You're kidding me, right? Right?"

The man was silenced. It was the truth. The truth that hurt both of them. "You told me that you don't want to put yourself in danger…and even us…Yet, you did."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Your sorry is not for us, uncle. You should say that to yourself. You could have at least told us about your situation. Did you forget?... You have a family to call and lean on…Us…" Guilbert said. He slowly put his hand on Mr. Owen's shoulder. "Aren't we a family?"

Mr. Owen cried in tears and hugged him tightly. "I-I'm very sorry. I'm sorry." He slowly lost his balance and knelt on his knees. Guilbert held him tight. They stayed at that very moment for a while.

"You're right. I should have called you. I should have asked for your help. But I didn't. A thing had been made and a consequence to be suffered." The man said, wiping off his tears. A sigh came out from him, knowing he had sin.

"You can stop again." Guilbert directly said.

"I can't…It's not the same as before. Negotiators are into a deal for two years. It was a contract they made. Up until then, negotiators can only abandon their job after the contract is finished."

"Hah. So, they came up with that thing too. Everything is getting in their hands." Guilbert couldn't believe it. The Royals are taking its steps to rule the whole city again. What's their plan, their hidden agenda of sending contracts to negotiators? Are they going planning for a great mischief or they are making a grand event where everyone can see them as the rulers? It was ridiculous that it made him laugh with exhaustion.

"They are setting traps for you," Guilbert muttered. "I realized that too… But…I told you. It's not the same before. Now, I wasn't assigned to negotiate the gunpowder or even the atter. To think they had been in handling the goods instead. I thought it was lucky for me to be on a safer ground now." Mr. Owen pondered.

Guilbert grabbed him by his shirt, making him stand. "We should get back to your place and tell the others. I smell something fishy is about to happen."

In a split second, they have acceded to the same spot where they left Kinzel. But now, it was different. The whole team was there, enjoying themselves with cards.

"Who told you to have playtime?" Guilbert can't believe what he saw. He was still holding the old man. Then he realized, it was his time to loosen up. A hand was slowly raised at the back of Cody and Quinten. It was Kinzel's.

"Unbelievable. You still have time to play." He hysterically said.

"Hell, yeah." Kinzel snagged him off, putting both her arms at the back. She stood and faced the two. "Where have you been? You just left me hanging, like I'm not here talking with you a while ago." She was a prick. A cactus that might spit spikes any time.

"We…were just having a dad and son moment." Mr. Owen said, looking over Guilbert as if he needs a corresponding answer to support him.

"Oh yes. I just want to have some time with uncle…so I brought him to the cliff all of a sudden." A laugh came out from Guilbert, a vexing one.

"So you're the father." Quinten snooped suddenly.

"Uh…"

"We call him, uncle." Kinzel said.

"Mhm. You seem older than him, Guilb. You know…you often scold us and then your eyebrows meet." He bluntly said. "You're getting old."

Mr. Owen burst into a laugh. Quinten saw Guilbert clenching his fist. He just stepped Guilbert's ego that he had been protecting since then. Quinten lost his voice and gulped.

"Did you get what you need? Packed all of it?" He asked the team.

"Yes. Are we heading home?" Miguel added.

"Not yet. We have to discuss something. It's urgent. And it's regarding Mr. Owen's work."

"Spit it out then."