Crisis Core-6
In the following days, Exodus displayed a cold almost dead like persona. He no longer boasted or displayed that loud and boisterous voice of his. Instead, all those who knew him, noticed that he seemed almost like an echo of who he used to be.
" Hey, boss Let's go out for lunch today, huh? It's been so long." Kunsel said to the man.
However, Exodus acted as though he hadn't heard him speak at all, and instead walked right past him.
Kunsel watched as Exodus stepped into the elevator leading up into the Shinra HQ main building in sadness. When he was gone, he took his helmet off and rubbed his face.
Exodus descended the floors of the building and stopped right on the 67th floor. The floor belonging to the SOLDIERs, there he met with Lazard, who took notice of Exodus' changing appearance. His unkempt hair, his growing facial hair, and the dark rings around his eyes.
" Exodus-"
" The mission is complete, Lazard. Is there anything else you need?"
" No, I just-"
" If that's it, then I'll be going." Exodus told the man.
Lazard pressed a button on his desk and locked the door just before Exodus could leave.
Exodus pushed on the door, but it wouldn't budge. He then turned back and faced Lazard. " What are you doing?" He asked.
" Listen, Sam..." Lazard rubbed his face and sighed. " I can't keep letting you go like this. I'm sorry, but... I'm afraid for your health, so are some of your colleagues. We're worried about you. And so, I'm... Putting you on leave. I just can't keep sending you out there, you're coming back injured sometimes, you've barely said more than two sentences to anyone, and now, you're letting your hair grow. It's not healthy for you to be here. I want you to know that this isn't personal. And you're certainly not being punished, you'll still be paid."
" Is that an order, Lazard?" Exodus asked the man.
" It is." Lazard told the man.
" Fine. Is there anything else?"
" I've arranged for you to stay at the Golden Saucer for a while. The theme park is buzzing with new attractions lately. There's also places around it, for you to see. Costa Del Sol is a few days' journey from the saucer. You'll have everything you could want. Just... You'll be alright. Go ahead and get changed. I've already arranged for your transportation. Your crew will be in the Hangar waiting for you."
Exodus sighed loudly and walked out of Lazard's office without voicing even a bit of protestation.
Lazard watched as the man vanished beyond his doors and sighed. " Damn it.... I'm... Getting too emotional."
.....
Exodus returned to his room, and stripped out of his clothing, discarding them, before stepping into the shower.
The warm water rushing down his body brought him a brief moment of relief. However, it would not last long.
His thoughts were a jumble, he hated that he was being sent out for no reason, but he just didn't have the energy to protest it. That was something he found common these days. It was becoming harder and harder to find the energy to do anything at all real.
After lazily washing his body, Exodus turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. However, he noticed something weird on his back as he was passing his mirror. It looked like a deep red welt, growing near his left shoulder blade.
Exodus stared at the welt for a few moments, before shrugging it off and entering into his room, where he grabbed a change of underwear from his wooden drawer and then an outfit from his closet.
He grabbed himself a black turtle with no sleeves, a pair of black baggy pants, and a single leather belt to hold them up. For shoes, he simply threw his black boots back on.
He then grabbed a dark purple coat out of his closet and threw it on over his uniform.
" Let's get this over with." Exodus muttered. He grabbed his sword and his gun, and his money, and then walked out of his room, locking it behind himself. He didn't feel the need to pack, knowing he was just going to buy new things anyway.
Exodus was silent all the way down to the hangar where, he was greeted by the crew that was to take him to his "Vacation."
" Welcome sir- Uh... Where's your luggage?" One of the SOLDIERs asked.
Exodus walked past the man. " Don't need any." He told the man as he took a seat in the helicopter.
The SOLDIER looked to the other crew members and shrugged his shoulder. "Alright, then... Let's get going folks!"
The SOLDIERs quickly scrambled into the helicopter.
The blades started turning and before he knew, they were leaving Shinra HQ and flying over the city of Midgar.
As he stared out the window, Exodus observed the city from above. It was beautiful at first glance, but when you realize what went into making the city the way it was, the amazing sight deteriorated into nothing, but a box made for a bunch of greedy, selfish, suits. Sure, there was some good down there. But even the little bit of good that existed, existed under the wall of slime and dirt.
Now, Exodus began to wonder if he should feel bad for the people that existed beneath the plates? Or if he should feel envious.
......................
The flight to the golden saucer was long and arduous for the crew, but for Exodus the time seemed like a blink of an eye.
The black chopper landed on top of the saucer's Helipad, and standing there waiting, was a tall man with muscles larger than any man should have.
Dio seemed almost excited to meet Exodus, as he wasted no time in greeting him the moment he stepped off of the Heli.
" Greeting! My name is Dio, I am the proud owner the Golden Saucer. It is a pleasure to meet you SOLDIER First-Class Exodus." Dio exclaimed. " Your superiors have called and notified me that you'll be staying here for the time being. I am glad to be of service."
" Yeah." Exodus muttered.
" Hm? You don't seem very excited to be here."
" I'm not."
" Well, don't be sour my friend. I know just how to cheer you up!" Dio exclaimed. He patted Exodus on the back with enough force to knock a normal man over. " COME! We must venture to the Battle Square. I know just what will turn that frown upside down, my friend!" Dio grabbed Exodus by his arm and started dragging him.
" Hey, wait a minute what the hell?!" Exodus cursed. He was surprised by how strong the man was, and by the way he just blatantly started kidnapping him. " Let me go ya big oaf!" Exodus exclaimed in
However, his protesting was met by jolly laughter. " Now, there's the SPIRIT! HM!"