"...you said you were some sort of a bridge between us. Care to elaborate more on that?" Ashton asked.
"Well, as you can see we turned into statues because of the Twisting Heavenly Tree. We sacrificed our freedom to seal the Blue Planet and prevent the true army of the invaders from descending."
"We're not necessarily in slumber. We're acutely aware of the real world still but we also are stuck in some kind of a special plane of reality, if you will."
"In there, we could see each other and we could also talk. In there, we could see the seal we are powering and we could repair it in real-time should the invaders decide to damage it."
"We could leave the place at any time but it's too risky. The invaders could attack the seal at any given moment and we don't have a way of knowing how much damage they'll cause so we have to be constantly on alert."
"Me joining the others in this duty was fairly recent, and since I'm not as capable as the others are, for now, I could divide my attention and take care of the matters in this reality, allowing me to act like some sort of a bridge between you all and the others on the other side."
"...huh." Ashton raised a brow. "How long has this been going on?"
"Oh, geez. I don't know...maybe 200-plus years already? We don't have an accurate sense of time here on the other side. Hell, I don't even know what year is it now."
"All I know is that...we must keep enduring. Humanity still has a chance."
A tense silence happened between the two of them. Ashton stared at George, seemingly in deep thought, while George himself seems to be struggling with how to continue.
Eventually, it was George who broke the silence...
"I saw what you did to the Revenants." He said, "And we are also aware that you know more than what you're letting on. I'm guessing that you must be the new keeper of the Grand Archives?"
"..."
"...I understand. No need to say more." George sighed, sounding extremely exhausted. "Look, we...we searched for ways. We have been trying for so long, we're tired too. But for the sake of Humanity's general well-being, we must endure."
"I heard that you contributed a treasure that allowed Humanity's fate to be obscured from the perverted visions of the invaders. We couldn't thank you enough for your service and generosity."
"You even wrapped up the Revenants for us, and you seem to be helping your friends to become stronger than ever." He continued, "I'm guessing that you have plans, and truthfully, nobody could stop you. In fact, we don't really want to stop you."
"I can tell that your goal coincides with us, so there's really no reason for us to clash. Our ways might've seem questionable or downright disgusting to you, but know that we too felt remorse for our actions."
"At this point, no amount of apology or repentance can absolve us from what we did. Believe it or not, we don't seek salvation or anything of the sort. We just want to do what's necessary to keep our race alive."
"I know that you have your own method of carving a path for humanity forward. And we're willing to lend you as much aid as you need. We only hope that you succeed because frankly, it's been so long...we have no idea how long we could still hold out."
Ashton didn't say a word. He only listened with an open mind to the plea of an exhausted soul.
Believe it or not, Ashton didn't exactly hate them.
While it's true that their decision was disagreeable for the most part and very immoral, it is what caused Humanity to last this long, no? So it did have some merit in it.
And Ashton could tell how much it breaks them to make those kinds of decisions -- sacrificing one for the sake of the many might sound like a logical decision but in truth, it is extremely difficult to pull that off.
They've suffered as much as the martyrs suffered. He won't say that they did the right thing, after all, nobody could tell what would've happened if they continued tossing more and more bodies to fight against the invaders.
This is the reality they have now, and like what George said, no amount of apology or repentance could absolve them from this.
They more or less figured out what Ashton was set-out to do. They don't have any idea how exactly he was supposed to achieve it but they are aware that he has his own way of doing so.
George just gave him the go signal on behalf of the others. In a sense, this is nowhere different from making him the Federation's new President, is it not?
"I'd tell you to take your time, but I'd also like to remind you to not take too long." George helplessly said: "After all, we don't know what the Invaders will do next."
"Should you fail in your duty...don't throw your life away. Sit among us and prolong the Enduring Victory. We will welcome you with open arms."
"But if you succeed in leading our race in a new Hopeful Dawn, know that our blessings will always remain with you. All we ask, is at the day of the decisive war that will decide the ultimate ending for our world, don't forget about us."
"Wake us up, and let us fight to our heart's content 'til we draw our last breaths. We have been enduring for so long, at the very least, let us go off in a final flash of brilliance. Let us open up a path, for a brighter tomorrow."
Ashton saw George's eyes moving and looking directly at him.
"This will be a heavy burden to carry, but I can see you already know that. Very well..."
"I hereby declare, Ashton West, as the new President of the Morning Sun Federation! May he lead Humanity into a new age filled with hope and prosperity."
Several System windows appeared in front of Ashton's eyes, yet he didn't pay attention to any of them. His attention remains focused on George who's on the verge of disappearing.
"...I thought I was here for a brief chat, not more work." He remarked playfully.
"Well, what can I say...I've been looking for a suitable replacement for so long. Can you really blame me for doing what I must when I finally got the chance?"
Ashton saw how the glow on George's body was dimming even faster, therefore he didn't waste any more time and said:
"You got me, Old Man. You all win this time, now go ahead and do what you must do, leave this place up to me."
George didn't even have enough energy to reply to that. But it was obvious that he was relieved before he left.
Now, just like his predecessors, George will remain in slumber. His spirit will tend to the Twisted Heavenly Tree on the other side.
Judging from how he acted in a hurry, he truly didn't have much time left. And this will likely be the last time he'll be able to interact with the real world.
This leaves Ashton to fend for himself. Now, since it had been made official that he is indeed the new president of the Morning Sun Federation, he had a lot of things to do.
Well, at least this way, he's free to do what he deems necessary for Humanity's development. This gave him freedom and authority, but it also place a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.
Now, every suffering, injury, and death will partially be blamed on him. Now more than ever, he had to be smarter towards each step he takes because he isn't just risking his own life, the fate of an entire race rests upon his shoulders.
[You have been elected as the new President of the Morning Sun Federation.]
[Congratulations, you have taken the first necessary step towards your ultimate goal. Please work harder to achieve your dreams.]
***
[Beneficiary]
[Morning Sun Federation]
Type: Governmental Office
Enhancements Available: 100+
Upgrade Paths Available: 5
***
[The Morning Sun Federation had been registered as your new Beneficiary. ×100 Benefactor's Return, Triggered! You received: Federal Insignia.]
"...right, it also works this way. Ashton mused to himself. He took a deep breath and checked out the item he just received.
[Federal Insignia]
Type: Insignia Design
Effect: Double the Work Efficiency of all Employees who sees it.
***
Ashton's eyes sparkled a bit. He closed his Inventory for now though. He took another deep breath and withdrew from the Twisting Heavenly Tree.
When he turned back, Felicia was there, respectfully waiting for him. When he got close, she handed him a badge that represented his new status. It even had on it.
"Would you like me to show you where your office is?" She asked after handing him the badge.
"Not for now." Ashton shook his head. "I'll officially take office tomorrow but I'd still like you to keep this to yourself for now. I can still do my sworn duties even if the people who work here don't see me at all."
Felicia didn't have any qualms with that, so long as Ashton does as he promised, then these little things don't matter.
