Even though Ashton said that he will try to think of a way to help with this calamity they're about to face, his friends weren't so convinced that he could do something on his own.
This isn't them questioning Ashton's abilities or resolve. It's just that the situation was far too volatile that they didn't think that a single person can contain it.
That being said, they're a bit helpless too.
Nobody could really say that they will be able to handle a Black Fog well. Hell, none in the generation even encountered one except Ashton. And Ashton certainly didn't confront, he hid instead, that's how he survived.
So knowing this, the likelihood of him concluding his claim was extremely low.
Nevertheless, something must be done. They couldn't just sit still after knowing this. A lot of lives are at stake. Humanity as a whole was being threatened by this disaster.
Stopping it isn't an option, it's a must. Even if it means throwing their lives away at it to halt its march.
But, in reality, what can they do in a mere week?
They don't have that long, that's for sure. And as much as they would like to seek the assistance of experts, it's very unlikely that they will receive one, after all, they are preoccupied.
One might say that them not being able to respond to this defeats their purpose. After all, if Last Bastion falls under the siege of the demons under the influence of a Black Fog, then what are they guarding for?
However, time and time again, Oracle Felicia told them that the High-Evolutionaries of the Federation aren't allowed to make a move unless the situation turns dire.
Something about a pact or something...it wasn't really explained to them so they could only accept that as is.
What upsets them even more so is the fact that the Federation still insists for this event not be publicized. They weren't rallying the troops to take arms and prepare for the worst, which is something that they all should do but apparently not according to the Federation.
Oracle Felicia doesn't have a say in this, her hands were tied too. It was a collective decision from their council and one that they will be sticking to, most likely.
Alice and Blake don't understand why it's like that. Both of them think that it's better to inform the public so that everyone will be prepared.
Mary, on the other hand, kept mime about the decision. Deep down though, she had an idea why a decision like that was made.
Alice and Blake were probably blinded by fear and panic but to Mary it is obvious...
People are tired.
The recent spike in the activities of the Cult did a number on Humanity's Morale. Throughout the years of harassment; with millions of people dying and cities being destroyed and getting wiped out off the map, the people of the Last Bastion don't have that many high hopes for their situation.
The tense atmosphere was suffocating, so much so that a lot of people are starting to give in.
In their immediate vicinity, the responders to the cult's activities are present, and every single one of them looked tired and just about done with everything. They were in pain, some were mourning, and others had been under the wringer for so long that their bodies couldn't keep up anymore.
Maybe this is a side-effect of her curse, but Mary is more perceptive when it comes to the well-being of herself and others. She feels everything twice as much compared to other people, maybe that affects others too? She doesn't have a clue but still...
She knows that the decision to keep from spreading might be a wise choice.
After all, nobody knows what will happen once somebody just gets fed up with everything, being besieged from both outside and inside might break their spirits thoroughly and might cause them to embark on a path of no return.
As much as she would like to help, her abilities are limited. In fact, she's weak compared to Alice and Blake. She might as well include Ashton and Aria in that list while she's at it.
She's left behind in terms of strength, and it would be a lie to say that this wasn't affecting her since it does. Unfortunately, she couldn't risk thinking too much about this since her curse might be triggered and that will certainly send her spiraling to a dark place where she couldn't recover.
Beep! Beep!
Mary raised a brow and checked her smartwatch. She then saw a message sent to her by Ashton, telling them to come over.
She stood up from her bed and began fixing herself. She still felt tired even with a good night's sleep. At this point, she's thinking that she might just get used to this exhaustion even though she completely dreads it.
After wearing something light and comfortable, she video-called Alice and Blake. They answered and she saw them also preparing to leave their homes to answer Ashton's invitation.
They decided to come together as usual, like how they've always done it ever since the disaster of City M.
After an hour and a half, they all arrived at Ashton's home. Mary knocked on the door and opened it shortly.
Then, they were greeted by someone who they couldn't recognize aside from their voice.
"Welcome to Master's abode, he's waiting for you at his office. Please follow me."
"Who the hell...wait! Jerry!!?" Mary sounded incredulous. Blake and Alice were a bit freaked out too.
"Ah, oh! Yes, it is I! Please do not be afraid, Master installed some recent upgrades to me, that's why I look like this now." Jerry smiled wryly and scratched his head in embarrassment, acting every bit like a human which caused them to feel rather estranged.
"...how did he even— you know what? I'm not gonna ask, it's not I'm going to understand it anyway. Please, lead us to him." Alice replied.
Jerry simply nodded and went inside with the three following him behind. The trio looked at each other and simply shrugged. They couldn't really explain what was going on so they might as well roll with it.
The butler bot lead them to where Ashton's office was but he didn't get in, he just gestured at the door and told them to knock before he scurried off to somewhere to do something else.
Mary knocked on the door of Ashton's office and they heard him say: "Come in!"
They entered and saw a humble-looking office. Ashton sat behind a desk at the far corner of the room, shuffling through several documents that piled up like a mountain.
"Ah, you're here. That's good. Have you guys eaten yet?"
Mary and Alice nodded while Blake shook his head. Ashton then said; "Make yourselves comfortable first, let's talk over some snacks and drinks. I'll be within a while."
So, they sat on the nearby couch. Mary glanced at Ashton from time to time, seeing him filing through documents with one hand while holding a really thick book in the other. She assumed he was cross-referencing. As for what the subject is, she doesn't know.
After about ten minutes of waiting, Jerry entered the room with a pushcart. The cart has trays of food and snacks with it. They heard the bot whistling a tune while arranging the food on the rather bizarre table.
"Master, lunch is ready."
Ashton peeled his eyes away from his documents and smiled at Jerry: "Thank you. You may continue with your other duties."
Once he said that, Jerry happily exited the room. Ashton got up from his desk and plopped on the couch next to Blake. He gestured for them to help themselves with the food as he himself reached out for his lunch.
"You haven't slept at all did you?" Mary asked Ashton out of the blue.
To this, Ashton merely nodded and said: "No big deal, it's just a night's sleep. I can go for an entire month without that and still be able to function normally."
"Where's Aria, by the way?" Alice asked.
"Lab." He replied, "She's busy with her inventions and can't be disturbed right now."
Mary and Alice nodded at that. Then Blake asked: "So, what's up? Why did you call us here?"
"Ah!" Ashton acted as if he just remembered something.
That was when he suddenly took out neat stacks of paper inside an envelope and handed it to them.
"This is?" Alice raised a brow.
"Contracts if you will," Ashton replied as he ate. "It states there that I'll be your sponsor from now on. Anyway, read it first and carefully, please. I know you guys aren't new to those, and feel free to ask me any questions."
"Whether to sign it or not, will ultimately depend on you. But whatever your decision is, it won't affect our friendship I promise."
Mary, Blake, and Alice looked at Ashton as if he just grew a third head. He looked at them and asked: "What? Come on, read it first before you say anything. The contents will explain everything."
The trio looked at each other before nodding.
Well, it's just reading, isn't it? There's nothing to lose here so they might as well see what Ashton has in mind.
