The text was rather recent, Viktor only having sent it about an hour ago. Looking around, I saw the sun going down. I wondered how much time had actually passed while I was down there, since it was more than likely that my perception of time down there differed from what was actually happening. It's also entirely likely that down there, time either slowed down or sped up.
I decided to reply to him, since I did owe him something.
F: Yo, I'm finally out of the ruins. I know you're the one behind this.
Quickly, soon after, Viktor responded.
V: Haha, I knew you'd figure things out soon enough. Well, I do still need a favor. You know you owe me one.
F: Yeah, I do. What do you need, man?
I figured out the truth awhile back, in fact right before I left for the Ruins of Babylon. Viktor was the guard that sent me here. I know that he's been plotting something for a while, and I honestly wondered what was involved, since he's always been able to dodge my questions.
V: From what I've heard, you were able to become quite close to that one really popular girl, Emma, right?
It seems her influence was as widespread as I had thought.
F: Yeah, what do you need?
V: I just need you to ask her to run as my vice president in the upcoming student council election. If I get her by my side, then I'll win for sure. Don't you worry, big brother, all this ends with you back here. I knew you'd survive the Maze of Archon. It's because I survived it as well.
I was stunned. My phone almost slipped between my frozen fingers. Viktor had gone to the Maze of Archon? Then why doesn't he have the Glass of Time? He was definitely working towards a bigger goal, but I couldn't see the full picture just yet.
Then it hit me. What if this plan was because of what happened in that Maze of Archon? The game Aion had him and I play was a 2 player, but what would happen if 2 people entered the maze at the same time? Aion said I was the first person to clear trial 2, but what if Viktor and his unnamed companion skipped the trials since they weren't designed for 2 people, and they played something completely different? I don't entirely know what would happen if you lost, but Viktor is incredibly persuasive. What if he somehow traded his soul to extract revenge. I know humans, if they're in a life-threatening situation with someone, no matter how close they are it's almost guaranteed they choose their own life over their friends.
What if someone did Viktor dirty, and now he's going for revenge? But…
Who would've even attempted to do that at Jefferson High, though? No one really struck as cunning, except for…
F: You got it, man. Best of luck with taking care of that man.
V: Haha, so you've figured that out, too! You're truly a masterpiece. Well, I can only thank you. Please try to lie low while I deal with things here. Everything will be over in one week.
I think all my strings are coming together. Everything makes perfect sense. Jeffrey Thompson was the guy that tried to trap me on my first day here. He also conveniently was at the school with the watch, and someone only found it after my arrival, meaning they had to come into contact with me. It can only lead me to one conclusion. Jeffrey Thompson has the watch, and the person Viktor is trying to exact his revenge on.
F: You know me. Anyway, I'll contact her. You better not fail, not that I'd expect you to.
V: Thanks man. I'll get to it ASAP!
I knew Viktor wouldn't disappoint, he never does. My impression was that Jeffrey was probably cunning, but I doubt he would even compare to Viktor's genius. That man can read humans like books, and is a manipulative mastermind. It's scary. Sometimes, I feel like he can read my thoughts.
Anyway, I decided to text Emma, so Viktor could continue his plan. I couldn't help but think that there were still parts of the picture that I was missing. But, that's beside the point.
F: Hey, sorry for leaving so suddenly, something came up. But you know the new kid, Viktor, right?
No response. I figured it would take her some time, or she was probably already asleep. It was starting to get dark, so I'd understand it. Although, I don't know what day it was. Checking my phone, I saw that the day was Monday. Well, while I was here, I might as well take a vacation.
Just then, I got a new notification on my phone. I yanked it out from my pocket to see a text message from Emma.
E: Yea!! Ik him! He's giving… interesting vibes. Why? Do you know him?
F: Yeah… he's actually my brother. Could you help him run as his vice-president?
E: Wait… what? He's your brother?? Why didn't you tell me before?
F: Long story. Listen, he really needs a VP, and you'd be perfect for it.
E: Hmm… I don't know. Something about him feels… off.
F: Trust me, I get it. But I promise, he's a genius when it comes to leadership. Plus, we designed this council plan together.
E: … Alright. But if he turns out to be a creep, I'm dropping out.
This texting style never made sense to me, but I understood what she was saying for the most part. She said that she was down to help, might as well report to Viktor.
F: Hey, Vik. I got Emma to help
Viktor immediately responded, seems like he predicted this as usual.
V: Awesome! I'll let you know if I need anything else. Enjoy your vacation.
Viktor was playing a game, and I don't know all the rules, but for now, I really need a break. After physically and mentally exhausting myself in the Maze of Archon, all I wanted to do right now was sleep. I slowly trekked my way back towards the city I had been dropped off at, taking in the surrounding scenery.
I eventually made it to the city and the moonlight shone strongly around me. A guard was posted near the airport and escorted me to a hotel. This time, the guard wasn't Viktor. I've seen her around, but I don't have a lot of information on her. If I remember correctly, her name is Rebecca.
"Greetings, Fredrick." She greeted me, coldly.
"Greetings." I returned in acknowledgement. I was hoping that there wouldn't have to be a lot of talking, but it seems that she had a different idea in mind.
"So, did you get it?" She questioned interrogatively, showing me the way to the hotel.
"Hm?"
"The glass, obviously."
"Oh yeah, sorry. I've been through a lot today. Yeah, I got the glass. It's in my pocket right now."
She seemed surprised by this response, almost as if predicting my failure.
"Oh, really? Nice." She then turned back to the path. "Listen, Fredrick."
"Hm?"
"I hate it here." She stopped and turned back to face me, tears starting to stream down her face. "This organization is terrible. Hearing everything that's gone on at that school… I want to be there. Please, take me with you. You know the boss is going to send you back after this success. I just want to get out of here."
I thought about it for a second. Her emotions were real, and honestly having an extra person to help would be nice.
"Sure, I'll see what I can do."
Her face lit up, then she quickly tried to hide her reaction.
"Really? Oh, thank you!"
"Yeah, of course."
We then finally arrived at the hotel. Both of us got separate rooms, but there was a buffet available, and we were starving. All that mental cognition combined with the physical challenge definitely worked up my appetite. Rebecca took some time to go change out of her guard uniform into more casual clothes. While she was gone, I picked up a plate and started loading it with chips and queso, toast, and some turkey. After sitting myself down, she returned and got a plate for herself. She came and sat down next to me so we could talk some more.
Her normal attire was pretty casual, nothing more than a pair of blue jeans and a black hoodie. Although she was rather pretty, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was decently well-built, not a stick figure, but she wasn't large either.
"So," I started through a mouthful of turkey. "What do you hate so much?"
She fiddled with her food a bit before responding.
"It's just… I thought being a guard would be cool, or at least like helping people. But I just sit around all day waiting for the boss's orders. I just wish I could be doing something like what you're doing."
"I see. He is a very particular man. There's actually only one person I've seen him ever take orders from, and that's Viktor."
When I mentioned Viktor's name, she jumped slightly, as if startled by his name.
"You okay?" I said as I placed my hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
"Yeah… it's just…" She swatted my hand away before responding, still trying to play the harsh girl act it seems. "That man has traumatized me…"
Viktor traumatizing her? I remember Vik saying he had a girlfriend at one point, but I never really inquired about it, but what if..?
"What happened?"
"Well, we dated at one point. At first, he seemed like the perfect boyfriend. He's super smart, really strong, he seemed to care for me a lot, would shower me with attention, gifts and pretty words. After dating for a few months, though, he just pulled away. All the attention, gifts, words, anything, he just stopped. He became distant, and I became desperate for his attention. I would beg him to talk to me sometimes, and he would turn and walk away, without a word. He became cold, something changed. A week later, he broke up with me, saying he had no need for me anymore. It was terrible, and I was heartbroken. I cried for almost an entire week straight after that. I changed schools, I didn't want to see him ever again."
I almost wondered if we were talking about different Viktor's for a second, the Vik I knew was incredibly cunning, but I didn't think he was a monster. This made me start to wonder if I was his next pawn. Nonetheless, something stuck out to me from what she had said.
"School? What school did you guys go to?"
"Oh, sorry. I forgot to explain that part." She wiped some tears that had started to form at her eyelids and blew her nose. "We went to a middle school in North Carolina. We were in the 7th grade, and he was a new student to our middle school. It was about halfway through the year, in February when he showed up. He quickly became a popular figure in the school. All the girls were talking about him, he was just so charismatic and mysterious. When it came to academics, it was almost as if he knew everything. We shared a couple of class periods together, and in my math and science period, he would be able to answer questions even the teachers couldn't solve. I must've caught his eye or something, since he came to me and asked me to be his girlfriend. I had caught feelings for him a while back, but I thought one of the really popular girls would've been who he'd go for."
"Yeah, that's what'll happen. We both were raised to be super humans, both in intellect and physical strength."
"Yeah, I know that much. I just don't know what happened to him to make him such a monster."
"Yeah, it's very interesting. Anyway, I'll get you into Jefferson High with me. I'll do what I can do with the boss to get you as either my personal guard or just my partner.
"Thanks, Fredrick, but why are you helping me? If you and Viktor were as close as you, what makes you so different?"
"Well, you already opened up this much to me. Don't you already trust me?"
"Well…" She faltered, realizing I was right. "Yeah…"
After that, we continued eating our food in silence. When we finished our food, we went back to our rooms for the night.
Lots of things were happening. I'm starting to get a better idea of the timeline of events after hearing what she had to say. I know there's more she either forgot to tell me, or purposefully didn't tell me. Since she wasn't physically strong enough to qualify for an Arcane Syndicate guard, meaning Vik probably put in a good word for her.
Before I was about to get my much-needed sleep, I got a call from the boss.
"Fredrick!" He yelled in a stiff tone. "Have you gotten the damn glass yet!?"
"Yeah, I have."
"Good. I only partially forgive you for your past mistakes. A plane will come pick you up in a week, feel free to take a break until then. I've decided that I'll send you back to Jefferson High, since Viktor told me that he just wants to grab the watch and leave. You'll be the one to purge the guy who got the watch."
"On it, boss, also- one thing."
"What's that?"
"You're guard, Rebecca. Could I ask to have her as my personal guard? I know you're probably getting wrong ideas since we're both young and opposite genders, but it's not that. She just wants a less physically demanding job, since she thinks she's not up to your standards."
"Hmmm, I'll consider it. That'll mean Viktor also gets a guard, too. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Yeah, we're the only high tiers without guards anyway."
"Alright, I'm okay with it. Also, I want to tell you something important."
"What's that?"
"We know the person that has the watch, they're named Jeffrey Thompson."