Arnimos followed John as they felt the somewhat familiar buildings near the Rose and entered into strange place. The buildings here looked like they were made by or inspired from Reborn as the styles was too "modern" as he had heard it described. As they walked through the streets they saw people dressed quite differently than Arnimos was used too, they wore loose fitting clothing with strange designs and many had their hair done up in ways Arnimos had never seen before.

  "This really is a strange place," Arnimos said.

  "Seems pretty normal to me," John said. "I mean, you grew up in Elysium right? Lotta Reborn over there,"

  "I grew up in the parts not controlled by the Reborn Lords or the Empire," Arnimos said. "I had only met 3 or 4 Reborn in my entire life before this,"

  "Really?" John said. "I know like, 50 other Reborn,"

  "Must be from your time out here," Arnimos said. "This place really is different after all, buildings are weird, people dress strangely,"

  "Thought they dressed strangely too when I first got here," John said. "Got used to it though, never liked the new clothes though,"

  "Actually, speaking of that," Arnimos said. "What was your home like?"

  John stopped for a second, his breath caught as memories played in his mind. John grabbed his hat and pulled it forward a bit to cover his eyes.

  "It was a nice place," John said. "Maybe i'll tell you about it later,"

  "Sorry if i dragged up bad memories," Arnimos said. "I just never really knew Reborn before,"

  "Don't worry kid," John said. "I know you didn't mean no harm, now let's go find our last guy,"

  "Know where he is specifically?" Arnimos asked.

  "My guess is a bar," John said. "Probably one of the dingier ones with a bounty board,"

  "Anything in particular you can think of?" Arnimos said.

  "Just one," John said. "Let's get to it before it gets too dark,"

  Arnimos nodded and they continued along their way. They navigated through the streets, unlike near the Rose these streets were well laid out and very dense though it was difficult to get lost. They cut between old buildings and open stores until they reach near the edge of Paradise. They could see the foundation for the city suddenly end and the desert start just a few hundred feet away, the Partial Tome that made this city couldn't go too far.

  They stopped in front of an old dingy bar, a sign, nearly falling off, hung over it with the words *'Paragon's Respite'*. On one of its exterior windows it also had another small glowing sign that said *'BAR'*.

  "What a weird name," Arnimos said. "Sounds familiar,"

  "Paragon is the name of a Subrace I hear," John said. "Owner's suppose to be one,"

  "And you're sure he's here?" Arnimos said.

  "Best guess I got for now," John said. "Let's head inside,"

  John approached first and right before he opened the door he said one more thing.

  "This is gonna be something," John said.

  "Huh-" Arnimos said.

  John opened the door and stepped in, Arnimos followed right behind. The inside was well-kept with no bits of obvious dust or grime, in the corner sat a strange glowing box from which music drifted out over the bar. A handful of people sitting around at the tables looked as the two entered, the one that drew the most attention was a Luxicon sitting at the bar drinking from a large mug. The Luxicon shot a glance back, sighed then took a large gulp and rose.

  "If it ain't the old bastard himself," The Luxicon said. "What? Come to get your ass whooped again?"

  "Ain't no way to be talking to old friends Jacob," John said. "Ain't ya happy to see me?"

  "Friends is one hell of a word," Jacob said.

  "That it is," John said.

  "Now whatcha here for?" Jacob asked. "Know you didn't just come by for a drink,"

  "Need help with something," John said. "And i know you're the guy,"

  "Sounds like you plan on doing something illegal," Jacob said. "You know i can't be having that,"

  "Was hoping you'd overlook that part of it," John said.

  "I'd never," Jacob said.

  "Suppose we gotta be doing this then," John said.

  "S'pose so," Jacob said.

  Arnimos stood there confused, 'what's happening?'. He thought.

  "Aren't we here too-" Arnimos said.

  As he spoke John drew the pistol from his hip, it had cleared leather before Jacob could react and a single shot rang out. Arnimos looked at John then glanced towards Jacob, he saw a strange sight though. Jacob had fallen to the ground, at least a body looking exactly like him but he was still standing. Arnimos was stunned for a second before Jacob performed his next magic trick, from his body exact copies of himself began to split off each with their own weapons drawn.

  Arnimos jumped away from John as the copies fired their own barrage of shots, John's body turned to water and the bullets passed through harmlessly. John returned fire, one of them was struck in the head and another in the arm. As he fired John overturned a nearby table and took cover.

  Arnimos watched as this happened, he looked around the room and saw the other patrons sitting there in bemusement. Arnimos hesitated for a second before deciding to act. He prodded his Dichotomies which flared, filling his mind with fear, he pushed it back and focused the building energy inwards towards his Taniberas Dichotomy. Arnimos sprinted forward then jumped towards the table John was hiding behind while imagining a wall forming in front of it.

  As Arnimos landed and the copies were about to fire the energy flowed out of him and formed into a wall of stone in front of the table. Shots hit it but didn't pierce.

  "What's happening?" Arnimos said. "I thought you said he'd help us,"

  "He would," John said. "Just needs some more convincing,"

  "What do you mean convincing?" Arnimos said. "You shot him!"

  "Normal greeting," John said. "Now help me take him out,"

  Arnimos was annoyed, nothing of this had been explained in shape, way or form.

  "Fine," Arnimos said. "But you should stop doing this, i'd like to know what's happening,"

  "Shouldn't happen to much more," John said. "Now let's go,"

  John jumped out from behind cover and let loose a quick burst of shots, bottles in the bar shattered and holes formed in tables but he only grazed some of the clones. Arnimos followed a second later emerging from the other side, he focused his remaining DE into his muscles and burst forward with supernatural speed. One of the clones tried to aim his pistol but Arnimos got in close and grabbed the clone's arm then with his other hand he delivered a firm strike to their side. The clone winced and loosened their grip for a moment causing the pistol to slip from their hands. Arnimos then pulled them in close, grabbed them by the neck and slammed them into the ground.

  Two of the clones turned towards Arnimos, as they raised pistols John fired another burst. Three shots sunk into one of their chests and the other was grazed on the leg. One collapsed while the other turned their weapon back on John and fired, bullets passed through his body harmlessly.

  Arnimos turned towards the remaining 3 clones, he dug his foot into the floor then launched himself forward. One of them saw him coming and dropped their pistol then met him head on. As Arnimos brought his fist up it redirected the blow then delivered a strike to his sternum. Arnimos felt air be driven from him, he sucked in air through his teeth then the clone delivered a quick slap to the face. Arnimos brought his other hand around, he struck the clone square in the jaw causing them to stumble back. As he tried to keep up the momentum another clone entered the fight by grabbing a bar stool and hitting him with it.

  The stool shattered into splinters showering the area, he felt dazed as the impact disoriented him. His Dichotomies flared to life once more, the dizziness and pain beginning to fade. They didn't give him time to recover though, the first quickly moved and delivered a hook to his chest then followed it with a quick jab to his shoulder then an uppercut. Arnimos stumbled back and grabbed the bar to steady himself, his vision was blurry and everything hurt. He focused his energy even further into his body, he felt as the pain and injuries began to rapidly fade. He regained his vision just in time to duck back as the other clone swung another bar stool. Arnimos focused the energy into his arm and delivered a punch to the clone's chest, he could feel as bones fractured and the clone was thrown back.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  John could see out of the corner of his eye as Arnimos fought the other clones, he was doing well. John would have to end this quickly however, he couldn't take too much risk against Jacob. John dashed forward and fired another handful of shots at the only one not fighting Arnimos, that was likely the one he wanted to get. The bullets sunk into Jacob's chest but the wound began to heal a second later. As he got close another few bullets cut through his form but did no damage. He fired the last shot in his pistol then swung it at Jacob one he was close enough. Jacob dodged to the side and as he did so John let go of his pistol and drew his Fear-Made Weapon, he twisted his body and pointed it at Jacob. As he did he saw Jacob raising his own, as they both finished aiming they both froze. John chuckled.

  "'ppears we got ourselves a tie," John said. "By the time you'd get me, i'd get you,"

  "Depends who's got the better trigger finger," Jacob said. "Now you may be quicker on the draw but you know where i reign supreme,"

  "Real conundrum we got then," John said..

  As Arnimos was about to continue the two clones fighting him suddenly stopped and as he looked over he saw John and Jacob pointing Fear-Made Weapons at each other. The whole world seemed still for a moment before a loud voice rang out.

  "WHO'S SHOOTING UP MY BAR!!!" They yelled.

  John and Jacob both froze then turned towards the door to the back. A woman in her late-40s stormed out the back looking very mad.

  "WHO IN THE-" She said before her eyes stopped on Jacob and John. "Oh, its *you two*. Take your lover's spat somewhere else, I'm trying to run a business here!"

  "Sorry ma'am," Jacob said. "Didn't mean nothing by it,"

  "Not my intention to shoot up the place," John said. "All accidental,"

  As they spoke the clones turned to dust and vanished. John and Jacob slowly put away their Fear-Made Weapons. The woman looked over at Arnimos, her eyes were sharp. He winced.

  "And now you're attacking my customers!?!" She said. "You are not gonna like what i got in store for you!"

  "Actually, I'm-" Arnimos said.

  "You'll never catch us alive!" John said.

  "I gotta get out of here!" Jacob said.

  In the same instant they spoke, they bolted. Disappearing from the bar in record time, Arnimos barely had the time to blink before they had left.

  "Huh?" Arnimos said.

  The lady seemed to let out an annoyed sigh.

  "Always causing trouble," She said, glancing over at Arnimos. "Are you ok?"

  Arnimos looked at her.

  "I'm good," Arnimos said. "Sorry for, uh, what John did,"

  "Don't worry about it," She said. "Stuff like this happens all the time,"

  "If there's something I can do to help," Arnimos said.

  "Help, you say?" She said, she looked him up and down. "Yeah I got something you can do,"

  "What is it?" Arnimos said.

  "Just follow me into the back," She said.

  Arnimos hesitated for a second before following her into the back, nothing bad should happen. The back had a kitchen laid out very differently than anything he was used to and in one of the wash basins was a large number of dishes.

  "You can do these then," She said.

  Arnimos looked at her then the dishes, he didn't want to especially since he never had before but he also felt obligated to do so. So he stepped towards the wash basin and began a long, arduous process.

  As he cleaned the first plate, poorly one might add, a man who was standing just out of sight stepped up next to him. He looked to be a bit older than Arnimos at best. Specifically he had greyish skin like a Luxicon but also had mirror-like fingernails.

  "New to this, huh?" He said. "She can be a real tyrant,"

  "Huh?" Arnimos jumped. "Didn't see you there,"

  "Good number don't," He said. "Name's Imagak,"

  "Arnimos," Arnimos said. "And yeah, never had to do this before,"

  "You'll pick it up," Imagak said.

  Imagak picked up a wash rag and a plate.

  "You don't need to help me," Arnimos said. "It's my friend who caused this,"

  "It doesn't matter to me," Imagak said. "Not doing any work anyway,"

  "Thanks," Arnimos said as he scrubbed a plate.

  "You should keep the dish under the water while scrubbing," Imagak said. "And the water should be hotter,"

  "Sorry," Arnimos said. "Never had to this before,"

  "Take's time to learn things," Imagak said. "Made similar mistakes when i first started as well,"

  As Arnimos scrubbed the dishes his mind began to wander, he thought of home. He could see his father, his mother, Milhas, Ronja, Filk-Kij, Tages and all the others. He missed them, it had been quite some time since he arrived here but everything was so chaotic it was hard to think of home. 'I hope mom's doing well,' Arnimos thought. 'I should apologize to Tages as well, he was probably right. If I was stronger...' His mind wandered to the village, to the day he spent with Hijki-Kal. 'She was nice...' Arnimos thought. His mind wandered further, he could smell smoke and feel fire. He remembered her happy expression when he arrived like some hero out of a fairytale, he remembered holding her in his arms... He remembered the smell of singed flesh. His hands trembled.

  Imagak cast a sidelong glance.

  "So what are you out here for?" Imagak said.

  "Huh?" Arnimos said, being dragged from his memories. "I... I'm just trying to help someone who saved me..."

  "I see," Imagak said. "Got any family?"

  "Just my mother and father back home," Arnimos said. "I haven't seen them in quite some time,"

  "Any siblings?" Imagak asked.

  "I'm the only of their children to survive," Arnimos said. "My parents tried to have 2 other before me,"

  "A shame," Imagak said. "Got a lot of siblings myself, 16 in fact,"

  "What about your parents?" Arnimos said.

  "Father was a bastard who did an experiment on our mother," Imagak said. "She... Didn't make it,"

  "I see," Arnimos said. "Sorry.. i..."

  "Don't worry about it," Imagak said. "I came to terms with everything that happened a long time ago,"

  "You sound like you're pretty old," Arnimos said.

  "Oldest of my siblings, at least," Imagak said. "Still, it looked like you had a lot on your mind. Something bad happen recently?"

  Arnimos stopped for a second, his muscles tensing. The memories played back in his head again but this time as they did he felt a hand on his shoulder. Arnimos was pulled back to reality to see Imagak with his hand on Arnimos's shoulder and a kind smile on his face, like the one an older brother would give to their sibling.

  "If you want to talk you can," Imagak said. "But if you don't then you don't have to, i won't make ya,"

  Arnimos felt at ease.

  "Thanks," Arnimos said.

  "Now let's get back to cleaning," Imagak said. "She'll be real angry if we take too long,"

  Arnimos dried off the plate then put it on the drying rack then picked up another. They cleaned dishes in silence for a few minutes until Arnimos's mind had calmed a bit. Arnimos spoke, shakily.

  "I was sent out to protect people," Arnimos said. "But when it mattered most I couldn't save someone I had to come to care about,"

  Imagak nodded solemnly, not saying a word yet.

  "Then some of my friends got dragged into this and now they're probably in danger as well... And I just..." Arnimos said.

  "Feel like a failure?" Imagak said.

  "Yeah..." Arnimos said.

  Arnimos looked away from the sink, he was trying to hold back tears.

  "I just..." Arnimos said. "I should have been able to save all of them... Instead..."

  "When I was younger," Imagak said. "I was born into a world that hated me for what I was,"

  Arnimos looked back over, Imagak talked as he cleaned a bowl.

  "Born a cursed child the same as my siblings, we all only had each other," Imagak said. "We lived together in a dream till I was Incarnated into the body of someone in my world,"

  Imagak seemed to stop for a moment, staring at the bowl. Arnimos looked and saw something strange, Imagak cast no reflection.

  "I spent so much time then in fear and hiding, acting as the monster they said I was for too long because it was the easiest," Imagak said. "Then my little sister was Incarnated..."

  Imagak stared at the bowl for a second longer, hesitating.

  "I couldn't save her..." Imagak said. "She was taken from us and twisted into something terrible... I tried to find a way to save her even so then... Then..."

  Imagak looked at his petrified skin.

  "Then I died and came here," Imagak said. "Though I feel that my lingering regrets cursed her back home..."

  "How do you deal with it?" Arnimos asked.

  "You can't linger on it too long or you'll end up cursing yourself," Imagak said. "You just have to try even harder to save them next time,"

  "And what if there isn't a next time?" Arnimos said. "What if I can't save them then?"

  "Then you save everyone you can," Imagak said. "And live a life that those you lost would want you too,"

  Arnimos let out a small laugh and a small grin appeared on his face.

  "You have a good outlook on life," Arnimos said.

  "Have to," Imagak said. "Everyone needs a good big brother, even if its not by blood,"

  They stood there in silence for a moment.

  "Do you..." Arnimos said. "Want to tell me about her... Your sister that is..."

  Imagak grew a smile.

  "I'd love to," Imagak said. "Then you can tell me about all of your friends,"

  "That sounds nice," Arnimos said.

  Imagak put down the bowl on the drying rack and picked up another.

  "Well, she was quite the mischievous one," Imagak said. "Her and Chigau would always-"

  They talked for quite awhile, Imagak about his siblings and Arnimos about his friends. By the end, Arnimos felt a lot better.