The Liberal Assassin

As the days rolled by, Nash and Ignacio were kept busy at work. Rush was faring no better, running errands for them. I spent most my days in the lab with Khronos discussing designs for new gadgets and analysing data while formulating plans. It was a pleasant distraction but after a few fumbles and a few rare moments of forgetfulness, I knew there was no way to ignore the nagging issue.

The brilliant researcher caught on quickly but opted to remain nonchalant.

"You seem distracted. Is everything alright?"

I watched how his experienced hands poured and measured out different liquids, holding tubes to eye level and nodding or grunting in approval at times. There was no rush or pressure to answer as the scientist bumbled around in his natural habitat. With much difficulty, I sorted out the messy thoughts.

"Say Khronos, why did you write the Legend of Kozzo?"

The scientist paused and glanced up from his journals before returning to them without missing a beat.

"Why the sudden interest?"

Shrugging, I faked nonchalance to keep up with the game. "The ending bugged me. Wouldn't it be better to end the story in Kozzo's moment of glory or after he overcame the grief of his mother's death?"

Khronos chuckled. "When I wrote that book, that was exactly where my story ended. Like the boy who had his wish granted to become a strong hero, I became a successful experiment and turned into a living immortal. My friends passed one by one, leaving me behind while I continued to live indefinitely with no sense of purpose or time. I wouldn't know what to write after the death of the Kozzo's mother because I didn't know what I was going to do with the remainder of my life, however long it was."

That made sense.

"What if the boy went back in time and mad a different wish that could save his mother? Do you think you could write a story that everybody can be happy?"

I noted how Khronos carefully considered my question. Although dubbed a genius, there were things that even the immortal didn't know. Human nature was unpredictable and sometimes, there wasn't an answer for complicated affairs of the heart. Reality was a cruel mistress.

"I might. However, I wouldn't know how it would feel. The boy had to suffer in order to find his ending. That's just how life works. It doesn't matter if you lived for ten years or a thousand years, it's the same. You can't undo the past or know what the future has. You can only walk in the present. Experience is a useful factor but it isn't absolute. That's why wise men say that life was a journey and not a means to an end."

"Isn't it lonely? Weren't there times you felt that death would have been easier? Wouldn't the story be less depressing if the boy managed to die with his mother or saved her with his dying breath?"

Khronos s.u.c.k.e.d in air, reliving the memory of painful years. There was torment in his eyes that spoke volumes about how much he must have gone through. If they knew what immortality did to people, would they still try to attain the impossible?

"There were times I thought that dying with my friends was a better choice. However, I knew that as long as I lived, there would be a purpose for me. I found it eventually with Team Night Walker and Project Nova Homo. Life doesn't give anybody a purpose. Everyone has to decide what they want to do with the life that they've been given. For me, I've decided to continue breathing for as long as I can and assist those who are in need."

"Isn't that just sad? You're being used like some sort of tool."

I wasn't quite expecting a casual reaction, much less carefree laugh. It was odd how anyone could find p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e at being used like a tool. I never thought of Khronos as a m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t but I might change my mind.

"Sometimes it's not about usefulness. There is more to human relationship than mutual gains. A good example would be the one between Nash and you. There are even those like Rush and Ignacio's. The twisted one you share with Spencer can be a reason to look forward to another day, not everything is bleak and dreary."

"What about you?"

The evil grin sent shivers down my spine.

"You're my greatest muse as of now. What better test subjects do I have? Also, you're my only rival. No one else has managed to break through the mainframe system. For me, this is enough reason to look forward to a new day. Speaking of which, wouldn't you like to test the new smoke bombs?"

I felt weak in the news at the innocent question and invented an excuse before running as far as I can from the mad genius.

I only stopped when I was a safe distance from the scientist. Flopping onto the floor cross-legged, I clutched the sides of my head and g.r.o.a.n.e.d. Everything felt so conflicted on the inside.

Was it alright to be selfish and want more? I knew the severity of my sins. Taking a life was wrong no matter the reasons. However, I wanted to spend more days laughing and goofing around with everyone. There were so many things I wanted to do and so many people I didn't want to leave behind. If anything, I felt like I've only started to live.

"Mia, what should I do? Everything's so messed up right now."

The cold corridor offered neither reply nor solace from the turmoil of my thoughts.