So It Is Done

Bor watched Norman reading the legal documents he had procured with some pleasure. Or should he start calling him Jonathan now?

It's a bit annoying though, watching just how carefully he studied every line in his new documents, examining every letter.

"The right to organize a personal business with the aim of obtaining economic benefits as a legal entity is officially recognized… This document serves to certify that Jonathan Goodman is the legal guardian and representative… On behalf of the Migration Department of Internal and Foreign Policy Management of Mount Glenn..."

It took quite some time before Jonathan finished reading the whole heap of legalese. A whole heap of papers that Jonathan studied rigorously, carefully examining each line before taking a deep breath as he finished, then looking closely at Bor. "It looks like the documents are in order and legitimate."

"They are legitimate." Bor nodded, as he watched Jonathan slowly put the documents into a bag he had taken with him.

"It was not easy to get them that quickly while also being done ... Legally. By the way, you should add your photo and your... Ward's to the police base. It's optional, but can help you avoid unnecessary police attention in the future. They're a curious bunch after all."

At Bor's advice, Jonathan just nodded before casting another hesitant glance at his bag and the documents inside. Bor guesses that some nervousness is normal, in this business one slip can get you into a whole lot of trouble.

Formally speaking, the documents were indeed legally obtained. His good friend Zoen helped tweak some of the early documentation and history. So, legally speaking, Jonathan Goodman was now an official immigrant who had arrived at Mount Glenn three years ago during one of the many crises plaguing Remnant… If Bor was not mistaken it was the Branwen Tribe burning a local settlement to the ground? Or was it the Grimm that first attacked, and the Branwen Tribe just finished what they started?

Hmm, come to think of it, what is the Branwen Tribe doing in Vale? They lived in Mistral after all, hmm… Well nothing to it, it's not like Bor is all that interested in the thinking processes of such scums of Remnant. For all he knows they just felt like sightseeing?

Bor paused his unnecessary thoughts, before looking at Jonathan and smiling, nodding to his future money-maker. "It was a pleasure working with you, Mr. Goodman."

"With you too, Mr. Bor." Well would you look at that it seems that they have an accord. Though he would like it if he didn't sound so threatening. For an ordinary person his smile and words could even look sincere, but Bor could easily notice the pressure and threat implied by his words. "I would be happy to meet you again in the future."

"Of course, Mr. Goodman." Bor nodded to Jonathan, he could only see benefits from this relationship. "All the best to your future endeavors."

As Jonathan disappeared through the door, leaving Bor alone, his calm expression first broke into a smile that gradually turned into a wide grin.

Haha, Norman Bloomsberry… Such a person was non-existent in the archives of Mount Glenn, non-existent in the archives of Kreek's service, and also non-existent in Vale's official sources, as much as Bor disliked referring to them. An obvious result for someone using a fake name. Not that Bor needed to do much to figure that out, but with the deal they had, verification was paramount.

Of course, he could do more to track who Jonathan really was. Tracking a person official residents list of Vale, this assuming that Jonathan actually resided in Vale all this time, was not a task Bor could complete. Even if he was not just a humble official from Mount Glenn, but a Counselor of Vale... He doesn't really have the authority to just open a citizen's file, another of the compromise created after the Great War.

Even Aifal... No, okay, Aifal of all people could find anyone, but Bor perfectly understood the limit of his ambitions and position. He also understood that a man like Aifal would not even bother to know that some minor official from a small settlement tried to get a meeting with the Foreign and Domestic Policy Counselor of Mistral.

Not to mention the fact that if Bor just tried to meet with Aifal, with how unimportant he is in the grand scheme of things, no one would ever find his remains. If Aifal wants to meet you, you would know.

Bor shook his head out of the grim thoughts before grinning again. Like a wild beast smelling the spilled blood of prey.

Yes, Bor could not track the past of his new acquaintance, and making any hasty movements in that matter was dangerous to his health. Who knows where Jonathan actually got so much money to bribe him from. But he could track his future actions, and quite easily at that.

Bor was not a seer, but he had many very influential friends in positions of power, and some in the more gray part of society. People who, out of a sense of camaraderie would take his new friend under surveillance. People Bor trusted to notify him about what Bor's new acquaintance would do in the future.

"I do wonder, Mr. Goodman, what kind of business are you planning to open in Mountain Glenn?" Bor grinned, replaying in his head the end of the dialogue with his new acquaintance. "Something tells me, Mr. Goodman, that our long and fruitful relationship is just beginning…"

***

Kurt took one last drag of his cigarette, then glanced at his comrade, who looked disapprovingly at his partner. It's just his third cigarette, it's not like they're in a hurry or anything. His partner just looked at him like he's kicking little puppies.

"Oh, come on, now!" Kurt cried out when Singer, his partner, rolled his eyes. After a long while with his partner just staring at him, Kurt gave up and stuck his half-smoked cigarette in a cup standing next to him, putting it out. "There! Are you happy?!"

"Kurt, you motherfucker, we're going to meet a potential witness! What would they think when one of the officer smelt like a walking chimney!" Singer exclaimed.

"Oh, come on, it's just my third one today." Kurt just exhaled the rest of the smoke of his last cigarette.

With the smoke cleared, he then looked at the car parked by the side of the road, with his partner inside waiting for yet another pointless trip to interview a potential lead.

"The Schnee and Atlas have laid out a reward for information about the criminal who had robbed one of the Schnee banks! I'm surprised that only three people have called the police today, and not half of Atlas. Though the day is early so who knows." He grumbled, remembering the waste of time that was their last interviews. A bunch of layabouts that wants easy money, making up ludicrous stories. They really should have arrested them for wasting police time.

"Whether you like it or not, it's our job." Singer rolled his eyes again. "So jump in the car and go check the information!"

Kurt just swore inaudibly in response before getting into the driver's seat, habitually putting on the car's seat belt. On his peripheral view, he could see Singer looking at him with a side-eye before stepping on the pedal.

A second later, the old beat up car, used by the force for six years as their 'officially unofficial' car backed up a gout of uncharitable noises, before slowly crawling forward.

***

Jonathan smiled contently. It looks like the legal documentations issue has been resolved as well.

Everything couldn't be better.

The paperwork problem has been resolved, his Money problem is secure, and removing Cinder's collar was only a matter of time. And if his luck holds it would be done after he finished drawing this diagram.

Jonathan tapped his finger on the table before moving a knife to the end of the seal, slowly continuing the previous cut.

Jonathan needed precision, drawing the reverse Sephiroth tree as a symbol of reverse movement was already difficult in itself, cutting it into the sheathing of an electrical cable with a knife was another kettle of fish entirely.

The key to success in this case was not to rush. Jonathan planned to remove the collar from Cinder tonight, and then tomorrow… Tomorrow Miss Sunny will wake up in some very interesting circumstances.

Jonathan didn't really need the countless millions of lien he got from the bank robbery. So he thought... why not donate a small portion of his income to spoil the life of someone who deserved it?

By, let's say, a small simple letter and some information given to the police from an anonymous source, leading to Miss Sunny. Miss Sunny who just happens to have a pile of Lien placed quite conspicuously in her room.

Jonathan wonders how Miss Sunny would excuse the million of liens that the police would find in her room. That and along with a very interesting letter from a certain Erwin Fox, thanking his beloved lover for the money and promising to meet her in Vacuo on the first flight from Atlas...

Jonathan shook his head to clear his excitement, one thing at a time, before returning to the curly carving on the braided cable.

Hmm, Malchut... A bit crooked. It would need a little...

A second later, Jonathan flinched when he heard loud bangs on his door.

Jonathan blinked in surprise.

Visitors? Jonathan was absolutely certain that he was not expecting any visitors.

Who would visit him in this city? Perhaps one of the neighbors? Jonathan, no matter how he thought about it, could not imagine why exactly they would knock on his door, but he could not come up with a more realistic version of who and why someone would knock on Jonathan's door.

Jonathan sighed before shifting his gaze to the unfinished cord and, cursing softly, tried to shove it into the bag so that the visitor would not notice the somewhat unusual situation in the room. Before also tossing the knife inside the bag alongside it.

After another couple of seconds, the banging were repeated, this time even louder, forcing Jonathan to head for the door.

Ha, who would ever have thought of pounding into Jonathan's room like that? Jonathan took the last step towards the door and suddenly froze.

The Atlas Police.

The Atlas Police would definitely start pounding into Jonathan's door like that.

After another moment, Jonathan heard a particular noise - a ringing of keys jingling, and the quiet sound of a key being inserted into a keyhole.

Miss Sunny, or someone else, have used the staff keys to get inside Jonathan's room.

Jonathan's throat suddenly went dry the moment he saw the doorknob slowly turn in front of him.

What? Where? How?

Run, drop to the ground then incapacitate them. Watch out for bullets. Raise your hands and surrender. Cinder is somewhere on the first floor. The cable is in the bag. Don't lose your documents. Teleport them away from you. They will shoot from a shotgun, I saw this scene in a film...

In between the seconds as he watched the doorknob lower, a myriad of thoughts and ideas flashes in Jonathan's head.

Slowly the doorknob began to go down...

And Jonathan did the first thing that crossed his mind.

***

"The whole building is rigged with bombs!" A male voice shouting from behind the door made Kurt freeze. The pistol in his other hand, ready to fire, froze as well.

There was silence for a second, before the voice continued

"Open that door, and this whole building goes up in flames, along with all the people in it!"

The voice that came from behind the door sounded like it belonged to a young guy, it was tinged with panic and desperation… It seems that they've got their thief. Great, they just walked right into a hostage situation. The Chief is going to have their head if they survive this.

Kurt's mind ran a mile a minute.

The whole building is rigged with explosives? A bluff, an unambiguous bluff. But Kurt still cannot discount the possibility… what if he wasn't lying?

The procedures immediately popped up in his head, first establishing a full cordon around the building, next evacuating the people and then lastly a negotiation...

Ha, it all flashed before Kurt's eyes at that moment. A bit too late for that no?

When Miss Sunny, the owner of this hotel, announced that the suspect, a certain Jonathan, was right now at the hotel, Kurt had sent Singer to call for reinforcements, and he himself rushed to capture the criminal. Remembering that he was a possible teleportator, means every second counted if they hoped they could ever catch the suspect. In his haste he forgot that he actually may have an accomplice that can build bombs, or he can build it himself.

Kurt was regretting his decision right now, he might have caused them to lose the perpetrator now. Or worse, he might cause the death of many uninvolved civilians.

"Let go of the door handle and take a step back." The voice from behind the door continued.

Kurt tensed. Is it a bluff or not? Should he risk letting go of a dangerous criminal or risk the lives of dozens of people in a hotel? Was the culprit armed? Was he dangerous?

Kurt slowly, held his breath to calm himself, and steeled his determination, preparing to send to hell all of Atlas' police ethic and shoot to kill as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

For a moment, it is as if time itself was frozen. Jonathan was beginning to think that he would be able to get away now.

Then in a moment, a flurry of action. The door to the room was thrown wide open, banging against the wall, letting in a policeman who pointed the barrel of a pistol at him and...

Kurt suddenly realized that his trigger finger were moving into emptiness, not meeting the usual resistance of cold metal. It took a moment before Kurt realized what he was seeing in front of him.

The guy is very young. Confused. Perhaps this was the word that Kurt could use to describe the expression on the guy's face. The guy holding his pistol in his outstretched arms.

Kurt blinked, realizing what had happened, before slowly raising his hands in the air to show that he was unarmed. That's right, the guy was a teleportator… I guess has an answer as to how he got that bomb inside the server room.

"I didn't want for it to come to this..." The guy opposite, Jonathan, sighed, raising the gun on his outstretched hands. "I really didn't want to… But here I am holding a gun to a police officer that was just about to kill me. Lord, where is my life heading…" Kurt really hoped that small wasn't the prelude to Jonathan pulling the trigger.

Kurt would have like to shout 'help' down to his partner with the radio right now. But he felt surprising the person holding him at gunpoint in any way was a good way to get shot. Therefore, waiting for Jonathan's words to delay for time, Kurt slowly asked a question.

"What, will you shoot me?" In hindsight, that was a really stupid thing to ask. Kurt exhaled slowly. Ha... This is going to be the end of his long service in the Atlas police… Just one mistake.

What a crappy ending... Very crappy indeed...

"I would not want to." Jonathan, without lowering his hands, continuing to look at Kurt, with a weird expression on his face, he then sighed. "Believe me, I would not want to…"

Kurt swallowed, Jonathan's reluctance didn't sound fake... At least they were as true as the words of the man holding you at gunpoint could be.

"I just needed to pack my things, and I can disappear from here. It was all so simple, I was almost done too. And for this to happen..." Jonathan said slowly, as if complaining to an unseen observer, slightly lowering the barrel of the heavy pistol in his hands, probably unprepared for such a weight.

Kurt froze, watching the movement intently. Should he attack now?

No, too dangerous. Although Jonathan had lowered the pistol, it's still pointed at his fleshy bits, if Kurt rushes now… He would still get shot and die anyway.

"What do you need? I can help put your things...'' Kurt tried to smile, taking a tiny step forward to get even that tiny bit closer… Only to have to look into the barrel of a pistol pointed straight at him.

"Stand still." Jonathan said a bit threateningly. "Just stand still, I'm a little nervous now. And any movement might result in a nasty surprise for the both of us."

Kurt slowly took half a step back.

"Just stand still and... Don't do anything." Jonathan slowly took a step towards a bag whose existence Kurt had just noticed."I will disappear from here and no one else will hear about me." His hunch was right, had he not barged into Jonathan's room, he would have already disappeared. Now to survive the next ten minutes and hopefully also catch him.

"No problem from me boy." Kurt slowly, very slowly nodded. "It is the best option you have, boy. The best."

Jonathan, still staring at Kurt, took a step towards the nearby bag before slowly reaching for it without taking his eyes off of Kurt. He then picked the bag on one of his arm, then made his way to another bag. He was indeed collecting his things.

Kurt's time was running out.

"And now, a couple of steps back, Mr. Police Officer. Put your hands down, turn away from me and close your eyes and count to ten." Kurt heard Jonathan's instructions, and then slowly nod.

"Sure thing, friend." Kurt slowly turned away, trying not to provoke Jonathan… Before suddenly throwing himself down towards the open door. He reached for his back-up gun.

He can't roll to the side, the passage is too narrow, but with cover there would be no problem, a second later he pointed his gun inside towards Jonathan and pulled the trigger...

A second later, the previously quiet hall was filled with a deafening roar. Kurt felt his body begin to fill with leaden weight, his hands empty again.

"I didn't want to…" He heard a voice behind his back... Why did Kurt keep forgetting that Jonathan was a teleporter? "I... I didn't want to… Why did you make me do it?"

Kurt clenched his teeth his gums almost bleed, and then tried to turn and rush his opponent… Kurt failed to even touch Jonathan.

Another rumbling sound cut through the silence of the foyer and Kurt's body flinched for some reason, his legs failing him as he fell to the ground.

Ha… What a shitty ending.

Kurt tried to keep his eyes open from the rapidly creeping veil of darkness, "Don't... Shoot... I yield…" Heh, should really have done that before he did something so stupid.

After another moment, he heard screams and stomps of feet barely breaking through the cotton plug falling on his ears. Darkness then consumed him.

After an indeterminable amount of time, he felt someone trying to plug the new holes that had appeared on his body. Somebody was trying to bandage his wounds, the jostling waking him up from the deep slumber. Perhaps for the final time.

"Singer?" Kurt tried to turn his head to the side, but he couldn't even feel his head… Since when did his head weigh so much?

"No, it's motherfucking Jacques Schnee!" If the situation were any different, Singer would be rolling his eyes as he answered, but the situation was just that dire. Kurt would miss his partner shitty jokes.

"Don't move, you idiot! I'm as good as a medic as I am as a lawyer, so everything will be ruined if you even twitch."

"Singer, no need to bother." Kurt felt the darkness slowly falling on his mind again. " Just give me my cigarette… I don't want to die without getting one last drag…"

"Don't even joke about that, fucker!" Singer tightened his bandage, trying to stop the bleeding with all he can.

"Your heart is not punctured, your head is intact, so you will live!"

At these words, Kurt just rolled his eyes, his partner watches way too many movies. Slowly, he could feel the adrenaline rush keeping him awake slowly beginning to disappear. His arms and legs feels like lead, and begin to ache with pain.

"Singer, don't be an asshole... Let me light a cigarette…" And Kurt was consumed by the darkness.

***

Cinder heard the first pop, but did not perceive it as something unusual. Although it was a rumbling sound, it sounded more like someone in the room had fallen down the stairs, or something similar. If they broke something - well, Miss Sunny will deal with it.

Cinder, although she delivered food, arranged cleaning in the rooms, and performed a dozen more tasks, was not particularly needed in the lobby. The people there would give tips to the waitresses, so the twins were the one who took out the orders of the visitors. Only for Cinder to do most of the work after.

The second rumble, coming after a couple of seconds, was much stranger. Did a second person fall on the stairs? That would be weird.

But what could have produced so much noise?

Cinder paused in thought. She seems to have heard a similar sound before… But where? Some long-distant memories popped up in Cinder's head, it seems... It was from some kind of... TV show?

Cinder has never watched TV before, at least not on purpose, she always had things to do. She didn't have TV-watching privileges, and even if, for some reason, Miss Sunny had decided to install a TV in Cinder's broom closet, she would have preferred sleep than watching the TV. Sleep was not a luxury Cinder had too much to spend.

She must have watched it by accident when she delivered food to the visitors in their room.

So this rumbling sound... She remembered it from some kind of... Police show? Gunshots?

Cinder froze.

Was it... gunshots?

Before she could think about it further, Cinder shuddered, sensing someone appearing behind her literally out of nowhere. Cinder could feel their presence, looming. She did not hear the sound of footsteps or the creak of a door opening. She just realized that another person had appeared next to her.

However, Cinder instantly realized who exactly this person was. As well as the fact that if he had appeared next to her, a couple of seconds after the shots had sounded, the matter was extremely urgent. One in which Cinder could afford to attract attention.

Cinder turned behind to Jonathan, who just appeared out of nowhere, not even asking herself how it happened. Jonathan did it, so all questions were secondary.

Jonathan looked… Confused.

Completely confused, an expression so weird on Jonathan, that Cinder stopped her gaze on his face, not even noticing the gun, still clutched in Jonathan's hands, or the bags in his hands.

"Jonathan?" Cinder looked at Jonathan carefully.

Jonathan, as if only now realizing where he was, immediately shook his head and looked at Cinder... Seriously. "Cinder. Now... Please do not ask any questions and just do as I say."

Cinder froze, slowly realizing the gravity of the situation before slowly nodding. Their plan has begun. "Okay."

After another moment, Jonathan threw his bag on the floor. Soon Cinder heard screams and swearing outside the room, followed by loud footsteps, as if someone had rushed into the hall.

Jonathan, ignoring this, opened the bag, pulling out… A small knife out of it.

Cinder froze, staring at the knife - then at Jonathan, who was staring at her intently. Closing her eyes, Cinder gritted her teeth.

If Jonathan needed it, then... Cinder had no right to stop him.

Jonathan won't lie to her. If he... If he does something, then it is necessary.

However, contrary to Cinder's expectations, a second later she heard the sound of a knife cutting into something soft, after which a soft hiss and... Suddenly she felt something warm touching her lips.

Cinder opened her eyes to see Jonathan again - more precisely, his wrist brought to Cinder's lips.

"Drink," Jonathan's replied emotionlessly, making Cinder take a sip and gulped Jonathan's blood in a hurry. An unpleasant metallic taste remained in Cinder's mouth a moment later as she took a sip of the very small amount of blood that had come out.

Jonathan, removing his cut hand, froze, seemingly listening in to the situation outside the door. Cinder also listened for a moment, but she didn't hear anything special, unlike, apparently, Jonathan. His expression instantly darkened even more, forcing Cinder to nervously shift from foot to foot.

"Fu… Darn." Jonathan obviously wanted to swear much more seriously, but noticing Cinder's presence, kept it somewhat light. His expression though tells another story.

"Tonight... At two o'clock in the morning I will come to you, wherever you are, but... not before. So Cinder, try to find a secluded place somewhere where I know... I don't know... Your room, the place where we met with the broken furniture. And... I... I'm sorry, Cinder. I screwed up. I should have just killed Miss Sunny. Forgive me, I screwed up."

Cinder was shocked, staring at Jonathan. Her wish, the most beautiful dream Cinder could ever imagine, of freedom, imposed with the thought of Jonathan apologizing to her for… bad luck?

Jonathan had suffered a setback, Cinder understood this, but...

"No." Cinder impertinently shook her head. "Even... Even if something didn't work out, I know it's not your fault. I'm not offended, no need to apologize to me... Please."

Jonathan was frozen silent for a second, looking at Cinder with an indescribable look on his face… Before sighing and shaking his head slowly.

"I warned you. I hope you don't regret your choice." After that, Cinder heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and a loud stomp that made Jonathan twitch. "I was not here, and you never knew me. Today at two o'clock in the morning in your room. Now, close your eyes."

Cinder closed her eyes before hearing the door open a moment later, the door immediately bumping into the wall.

"Move out, get out!" Came a commanding voice, forcing Cinder to open his eyes.

Jonathan was not there.

***

Jonathan continued to carve circle after circle on the ground, line by line, slowly and carefully...

How long did it take, a week?

Jonathan gritted his teeth as he continued to carve seal after seal.

A week with no one to look over your shoulder, and already you've killed a man...

Jonathan slowly, taking care not to damage the seal, made another cut.

What a fine fellow you are, Jonathan!

Jonathan slowly carved out a symbol.

The old man would be proud.

The knife in Jonathan's suddenly flew to a wall, rebounded for a short flight, before falling to the ground. Thankfully not falling into one of the puddles of water around him, otherwise Jonathan was not sure if he could still use it at all.

The puddles in the Atlas sewers were particularly disgusting in Jonathan's opinion. Although, of course, the wastes and the smell of the sewers were the last things on Jonathan's mind.

WHAT SHOULD I HAVE DONE?!

Jonathan gritted his teeth harder hearing them start to squeak.

Well, perhaps not to kill the first police officer on your way?

Jonathan clenched his hands, feeling his nails almost cutting through skin.

HE STARTED FIRING AT ME!

You said you had booby-trapped the whole building, and you did rob a bank. The score is not in your favor, what was he supposed to do.

Jonathan slammed his back against a wall, feeling a small shiver starting to creep on his back.

HE STARTED IT!

His job is to apprehend and neutralize criminals, and you had him at gunpoint, he was afraid that you would shoot. No wonder he acted that way.

Jonathan put his head in his hands, trying to keep the thoughts from bursting out.

I did not mean to…

Good excuse, remember it for the future. It will be useful to you more than once.

Jonathan wanted to howl, but air seemingly to have gotten got stuck in his throat, his voice escaping only in a soundless wheeze.

I just wanted to save Cinder...

Everybody wants to do something good. You wanted to save Cinder. He wanted to apprehend a dangerous criminal. You have no moral superiority in this matter.

Jonathan froze, trying to withstand the onslaught of condemnation hitting his mind.

Questions, answers, thoughts... Everything was mixed into one mess.

I... I... I...

You, you and again you, yes, yes, we all understood, this story is about you. What, you can't be a knight in shining armor? So what? You're not exactly a fairy-tale prince, aren't you?

Jonathan closed his eyes for a second.

I'm not a good person, never mind being righteous, I'm just a criminal who has entered a foreign world and did bad deeds for my own purposes. Because I considered myself entitled. Because I wanted to establish my own order in a foreign world. And now others are paying the price for my actions.

Yes.

There was then complete silence in Jonathan's head, for twenty or thirty long minutes. Before Jonathan breaks the silence

What's next?

Jonathan blinked. What's next, ha... What's next...

I'm going to finish the artifact, I'll pick up Cinder at night, then I'll run.

Is that all? Jonathan, you just killed a man!

Yes, I killed him. All because I got into someone else's world and broke the balance. Because I am too young and stupid to do what's necessary on my own without committing crimes.

Your actions and its consequences are now forever with you. That man's life has ended because of you.

Yes. That's why I want to save Cinder. If... If I have already done so many wrong things for the sake of one right thing, is there any point in stopping now? Is there even a line that I shouldn't step over now that I've killed a person? Is there a line that I won't overstep for the right cause?

We won't know until you step over it now, wouldn't we. Are you ready for it, Darwin Alexander Bradford?

No. I'll never be ready. And one day I may look back and realize that my whole life is just a series of mistakes, accidents and wrong decisions…

But you will still go your own way, wouldn't you?

Yes.

***

The next hours before the appointed time felt like torture for Cinder. Hour after hour. Minute by minute. Second by second. Cinder could feel every excruciating moment waiting for Jonathan.

First was the evacuation of the whole hotel by the Atlas Police. She heard that they were checking for bombs.

Then an ambulance picking up a wounded police officer. He kept asking everyone for a cigarette and only grinned when he was told that in his condition it was a miracle that he was still alive.

All of these events was swept like a whirlwind in front of Cinder's face, merging into a single monotonous viscous eternity.

An eternity that's now over.

The police never left the hotel completely, even in the late hours they kept asking Miss Sunny everything she knew about Jonathan. Keeping Miss Sunny in the hotel unlike all the guests who immediately fled after the incident.

Cinder could only rejoice at this, after what had happened, it would be a miracle if Miss Sunny would ever again attract a guest to the hotel… Except for the hunters, those bunches are idiotic enough to stay in a hotel with a reputation for housing a bank robber.

Even so it would be a huge blow to Miss Sunny. Maybe even great enough that the hotel would be closed for good.

Cinder couldn't help but rejoice at the idea. Almost as much as she couldn't get enough of the fact that all of Cinder's chores were now completely forgotten while Miss Sunny complained to the police officer about the work of one of his employees, hugging the frightened twins to her...

Cinder liked this. She liked the fact that Miss Sunny's business was collapsing before her eyes. She liked that the twins were afraid, she especially loved seeing Miss Sunny so scared.

Cinder was grateful to Jonathan. Yes, it was not exactly what she wanted to happen. She for instance wanted to see Miss Sunny die, burn, or better be strangled by her hands… But Cinder was somewhat content seeing the fear in Miss Sunny's face. Without him, all of her dreams of revenge would have remained just that, dreams.

But Jonathan... Jonathan was strong.

Cinder wanted to be just as strong as Jonathan, but she doubted that she could. Could she one day be like him?

In the end, after questioning Miss Sunny as to why she allowed someone without documentation to stay in her hotel, the Atlas police left. They did ask Miss Sunny to come to the Police Station later though. Cinder could see Miss Sunny gritting her teeth at that 'request'. Cinder couldn't smile wide enough.

Miss Sunny and the twins then ignored Cinder as they headed back inside to Miss Sunny's room. Cinder just licked her lips, feeling a phantom metallic taste in her mouth.

Why did Jonathan make her drink his blood?

Cinder didn't care about the answer.

If Jonathan did it, then it was necessary. So when the minute hand pointed to thirty and the hour hand to one o'clock in the morning, Cinder made her way to her room, awaiting Jonathan's arrival.

Cinder had no doubts about Jonathan. He will come.

Slowly the minute hand was counting down the minutes until Jonathan appeared...

At exactly two o'clock in the morning, Cinder suddenly felt something imperceptibly change next to her, after which, turning her head, she was able to see Jonathan next to her.

"Jonathan!" Cinder nodded before smelling the bad smell wafting of off her savior. It is as if he had just taken a dip in the sewer.

"Did you change your perfume?" Cinder, however, suppressed any desire to say anything bad to Jonathan. If it was Jonathan's favorite perfume, she would learn to love it.

"Perfume?" Jonathan just blinked before understanding dawned on his face and he shook his head. "No, just… Wow, I need a good bath. I was in... somewhere a little unpleasant."

Cinder wondered for a second what place Jonathan could be, the only place Cinder could imagine with that smell was a dump or something like that. She suppressed the urge to ask a question though. Questions from her was unnecessary. If Jonathan wants Cinder to know something, he will tell.

Jonathan, taking a couple of steps towards Cinder, looked around, then exhaled, "Sorry, Cinder. I really should have killed Miss Sunny... That would have been the best option. Then the whole mess with the police wouldn't happen"

Cinder, hearing this, only shook her head. 'You don't owe anyone anything Jonathan, especially to me. I am grateful for everything that you have done for me…"

"Yes, this…" Jonathan sighed slowly, then shook his head, before suddenly, like a magician, pull out a small package from behind his back, - "Here, some food... I took what I could - all the eateries are closed at this time... I know you must be hungry."

Cinder blinked, reaching out to take the bag Jonathan had offered, then peered inside.

Breads... Already a little stale, but still covered with a paper wrapper, something from the last baked goods that customers have not yet had time to take today. A pack of juice, a small bottle of water, and Soda, vacuum packed sandwiches…

Cinder was silent, staring at the pile of food inside the bag. These were probably not the most luxurious food in the world, but...

"Cinder, come here please." Cinder suddenly looked up at Jonathan. He looked so tired...

Jonathan held a cable in his hands, Cinder knew the purpose of such a device, Miss Sunny used them to recharge the collar in her neck. But...

It was Jonathan.

Cinder took a step forward, putting aside the bag of food, looking at her savior's face.

"By the way…" - Jonathan carefully lifted Cinder's collar before plugging the usual plug into the collar's connector. The cable looked familiar somehow, only with, Cinder noticed, a slight alteration to the cord. And that it now ended with a regular outlet plug rather than what it previously does.

A plug which immediately ended up in the nearest outlet. A none functioning one, however. In this room there's no electricity did not work."Sorry for the blood. It's just... Ha, I needed to be able to trace... To meet, if something... Doesn't go according to plan... Like many things have already gone."

Cinder shook her head, looking at Jonathan seriously. "You're apologizing too much. Do not."

At these words, Jonathan only sighed, - "I'm sorry…" Before freezing and slowly exhaling, glancing at Cinder, frowning at him, and exhaled. "Alright, alright. No more apologies."

After another moment, Jonathan smiled at Cinder and… It was as if a flash of electricity flashed through the room for a moment before extinguishing completely.

"To be honest, my original plan was to ruin Miss Sunny's life in a slightly different way, but… eh, needs must and all that." Jonathan nonchalantly added and then looked into Cinder's eyes before… Pulling the collar off of Cinder in one motion.

Cinder barely even had the time to blink before realizing what had happened. She didn't even have the time to brace herself.

AND… That's all.

Just, one yank and it's over. It's all over in a second. Her torture was now over, just like that...

"My original plan didn't work, it was way too intricate and with too many unknowns to it." Jonathan explained to the still shocked Cinder.

"It was some complicated brouhaha needing many disciplines and steps to accomplish. But in the end I found something much simpler. In essence, I just redirected... the energy inside this thing into the general electric system. So, most likely, I just turned off all the lights in the hotel by short-circuiting them. Including… the Fire alarm…"

Cinder slowly, not understanding what Jonathan was saying, raised her hands, feeling her neck.

A neck that had… Nothing.

"So Cinder, how about setting this hotel on fire?" Jonathan smiled at Cinder.

***

Cinder was eating a sandwich, tasting nothing. No, of course, the sandwich was delicious, probably much tastier than anything Cinder had tried before… except maybe that time she ate with Jonathan.

But Cinder just couldn't taste it as she looked into the distance. Jonathan also sat next to her, also looking into the distance.

It was probably wrong on his part now to let a child stay awake for so long. But for today… For today, it was okay.

An empty pack of juice and crumbs from the already eaten bread rested beside him.

It would probably be better for Jonathan to deal with the place they're going to stay in the foreseeable future. Or the many other things he needs to do in Mount Glenn…

Instead, the first thing Jonathan did was teleport with Cinder to the wrong place. To a place near a city in the middle of the desert… Vacuo, if he's not mistaken? They were not in the city proper though, they were on top of a cliff overlooking the sea.

It was cold all around him in the desert night, but the rock under their feet was still quite toasty. They were on top of a cliff that no one else could probably climb. Jonathan though, using teleportation, was able to climb onto it along with Cinder.

From the height of the cliff, there was a beautiful view of the sandy beach, so deserted in the early hour, and of the sea, cutting into the horizon.

The clock was counting down, it was six in the morning...

After a moment, Jonathan looked towards Cinder before hearing what he wanted to hear.

"Woooah!" Cinder stared at the distant surface of the sea, looking at the slowly rising Sun appearing from beyond the horizon. The sun's rays crashed into the water, reflecting and intertwining step by step, before diving into the depths of the water again. The image was quite beautiful.

Jonathan glanced at awestruck Cinder, a half-eaten sandwich in the hands, nearby is an open soda. In her eyes he could see… Delight. Joy. Surprise…

Cinder suddenly ...

Smiled. For the first time that Jonathan has known her, it was the first full smile on Cinder's face. Slowly tears appeared in the corners of her eyes, not breaking out...

Jonathan and Cinder watched the dawn for a full minute before one of them dared to break the magic of the moment.

Cinder put the meal aside for a second, forcing Jonathan to turn to her.

Cinder... She smiled. Looking at Jonathan.

Tears ran down Cinder's cheeks in a stream - bread crumbs remained in the corner of her mouth, her hand rested on her chest, as if trying to hold back something...

And Cinder was still smiling.

"Thank you." That's all she said.

Jonathan hugged Cinder, allowing her to gaze at the dawn in the distance.

It will only get worse from now on. Your actions have consequences. You can't do a hundred wrong things for the sake of one right thing.

I can't. But I will.

And Jonathan closed his eyes for a second, as he remembered the motto of his order.

Nec pulvis.

Nec flamma.

Nec tempestas.

Nec timor.

So It Is Done.