Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Under Nirvana - An ARK

Chapter 10: Another Him

Story by Bria!

Find the last chapter in SCOUT and the next chapter in RHYNIOGNATHA!

Tick.

Click, click, click.

“This still feels… unbelievable. Like a dream world placed into reality.”

Thump, Thump, Thump, Thump, Thump, Thump, Thump.

A man wearing a magenta suit and a pair of shades entered the office, holding a file overflowing with papers. He had a nervous look on his face. The mysterious agent walked up to the table and gently placed it on the wood counter.

“Mr. Vice President, here is a list of all the scholars as requested by President Walker, along with their gems and attributes,” the agent said. The Vice President scowled in disdain.

“Making me do all the heavy lifting again? Typical,” the Vice President scornfully said.

“Correct, Mr. Vice President. But those are orders. Orders all of us must adhere to.”

The Vice President rubbed his forehead. “Whatever. Just give me some space, Agent Perseverance. I might just need a vacation after all of this.”

“Understood, Mr. Vice President,” Agent Perseverance responded, “And Mr. Vice President, there seems to be an issue with a handful of the scholars above on the ARK. It was more than anticipated. Too many of them have woken up without medallions. It’s a disaster. There have been too many casualties already because of it, more than was projected by our test simulations.”

“That’s not good,” the Vice President said. “How did this happen?”

“We don’t know. We think it’s a glitch in the system. The other Agents are working diligently to uncover the issue… but there still are a lot of loose ends.”

“Well it doesn’t matter, does it? Dear ol’ Dan will just send another school u-p i-f all goes wrong,” the Vice President replied.

“Sir. You and I both know he will not be pleased regardless.”

Bob shook his head. “I know. Don’t remind me. Is he going to start the final part of the operation?”

“Yes. Rune Towers will rise soon.”

“Isn’t that just amazing. Things are coming to a close,” Bob said grimly, “He will ascend soon enough… leaving us all behind.”

Agent Perseverance turned around.

“Enough sulking, Vice President. I am sure he will meet with you soon. Be on high alert. I do not want my family harmed because of your apathy. You may be a veteran, but I am still serving. And I serve with my breath held, knowing I can be executed any day.”

The Vice President scoffed, and waved him away.

“I know. I know…”

Agent Perseverance exited the room. The Vice President groaned, left alone with only him and his thoughts…

And the strange letter.

It appeared one day in his mailbox. Agent Perseverance delivered it to him personally. Strange letter, it was. There was no sign-off as to who sent it. It was only directed to the Vice President of the Eastern States of America… Bob.

A small key had been attached to the letter then. It was ironclad, and a bit brittle. Bob wanted to brush it off as a prank letter, but it hit a bit too close to home for it to feel that way.

He inspected the tiny key in his fingertips. He had picked it up already, but nothing happened. How was he supposed to ‘take the key’?

Bob pondered it for a moment.

“Oh,” he realized after a few minutes. “How could I forget?”

He reached for the heavy medallion wrapped around his neck…

And placed the key into the empty slot.

CLICK!

Bob shivered. Something flowed within his veins. A power he couldn’t describe. But it was a power that felt… free. Something stirred in his heart. Something roamed within his eyes.

“Rise, my vessel.”

~

‘Dear Bob,

You wanna go back to the old days, don’t you?

Back to when there was nothing but sweet innocence?

You and your little game of ARK…

Don’t you worry, my whetstone.

I have just what you need.

Things have been strange as of late.

But I am always open to improvisation.

Bob. Take the key.

Fill in the steps of your old partner…

We’ll end the cycle.”

“We’ll reach Nirvana together.”