Nightmare Mythos

He added, "But believe me, I'm sure that heretic survived. I had a gut feeling we'll meet him soon. And by soon, literally sooner. So, how is it? Does this give us something? Some sort of lead?"

Vin remained silent for a brief moment before he shook his head while giving an answer, "Everything's too vague, too many uncertainties, and too many loose leading. In fact, let's just say we don't trust every word that person has said. We continued going on our own terms,"

Cesar felt glad that they were having the same ideas inside their head. Instead of overthinking every word the heretic had told him, it was better to follow a plan they had come up with. Who knows if the misleading words of the heretic masked the deceit he was trying to pull off?

It's better this way.

'Yes, this is better…'

Even if he convinced himself to think that way, Cesar couldn't help but feel troubled by it. For some reason, his guts were telling him this would change something on the inside.

And soon, this foreboding showed as Vin couldn't help but ask.

"Cesar, I wanted to think this objectively as possible but I couldn't point out why the heretic said you and him are the same."

Remaining impassive as ever, Vin added with his usual indifferent tone, "It wasn't even related to the disappearances at all. In fact, he wouldn't have probably started a conversation if he said he wasn't curious about you."

He paused, "Theoretically speaking if his words were true, do you know what he was trying to say?"

Cesar, as well as Quentin immediately understand the meaning behind these interrogative questions. The target of these queries, Cesar, couldn't help but look at Vin in distrust as he voiced out with surging uprising in his tone.

"Are you suspicious about me?"

Vin remained silent for a while as he continued staring at Cesar, trying to gauge whatever he was scrutinizing before shaking his head with defeat, his expression becoming softer.

"Your words and the way it was spoken… how do you think people will react if they heard about this? I just showed it to you just now," Vin closed the distance between him and Cesar and slightly tapped his head, "You did a great job reporting this to me first."

Cesar slightly backed away as he asked in disbelief, "Wait, we're not going to tell this to anyone?"

Vin nodded curtly, "I have an inkling what the heretic is trying to say but I couldn't say it because I just couldn't which is why I'm able to understand you. If I were any other guy, there'd be no talk happening because I would instantly detain you,"

Quentin, on the side, chimed in, "Yes, earlier when you were talking, I thought of you as an imposter trying to act as Cesar but seeing you acting just like him, I knew I was wrong. Though, I have to ask, you're Cesar right?"

"I am Cesar…!"

Cesar pointed out with an incredulous expression, giving both Vin and Quentin assurance that they were indeed talking to the real deal.

"Anyways, you'll have to come with us as well," Vin suggested, "Although babysitting is not my forte, I'm at least capable. Someone will take your post if that's what you're worried about,"

Cesar wanted to retort but as if Vin read his mind, his worry subsided. Even though he didn't like being watched around, being with Vin, probably the strongest person available in the City of Wheels, just heightened his survival in this mysterious city.

Of course, he had to agree.

…

The search continued as it was. There were no breaks nor any significant happenings yet but the manifestations of the pierced realities continued to grow more.

If last time they were only visible with the use of Quentin's power, anyone who happened to be nearby at the realities has been able to gaze it through their naked eyes. There wasn't any need for any instrument nor essence exhausted to see it.

It just keeps popping and spawning.

Now, this anomaly hasn't even appeared in the past few months. One couldn't know if the penetrated realities were there but a manifested one where any person with eyes can see it wasn't included in the data books.

If that were the case, perhaps the disappearances would've been prevented. The people in the city would've evacuated early and no one could've been part of its casualty.

Alas, there was nothing to do about it. People will have to adjust and find at least something about why and how these mysteries kept occurring.

That's why they kept searching and searching.

Eventually, days had gone by.

It even looked like the time in the city has been disrupted due to how fast the days are changing.

Their continuous searching, their option one, remained the same thing. There was no visible development as they remained passive about their plan. Still, being passive didn't amount to anything.

The last thing they knew, there was already a week left till the thirtieth of the month of June.

"…"

Waking up in his bed full of thoughts, Cesar rubbed his eyes before he remained looking into the ceiling walls of his room.

In the past week, he had been here, at least that's what he was feeling, Cesar always woke up staring at the same dark and cold walls as if to give him a signal about how dangerous the City of Wheels was becoming.

Of course, there wasn't a real danger yet aside from the corrupted areas and the penetrated realities that all remained in the unknown but those kinds of dangers didn't attack or threaten them.

Even with that being the case, Cesar started to change.

He became more conscious about his surroundings and always nitpicked on the same things when there was nothing to it.

He was... agitated for some reason.

But thinking about it logically, Cesar came to realize that there was no real safe zone in this area as the unresponsiveness the city was giving to everyone who currently inhabited it gave them a mental breakdown, slowly creeping upon their heads.

At this moment, the same as Cesar, everyone wished for something big to happen.

To remove the feeling that slowly encroached on their heads, Cesar knew something had to happen.

Either the city gave it to them or they will force it onto the city; those were really the two choices they currently have right now.

Of course, the impassiveness had to end eventually.

"…"

Being done to prepare himself, Cesar looked at himself in the mirror, seeing that the city was getting the best of them.

It was still early in the morning but they had to get themselves up as today, they'd have to change something. They had plenty of rest yesterday as the search ended quickly.

Picking up his revolver from the table. Cesar exited his room and went to group up with everyone.

…

"I guess everyone in here already,"

Watching soldiers lined up in the front yard with their hands on the back, Vin looked down at them at the podium before adding.

"I'll keep it simple," Vin paused, "We're moving our plan to the second option. Seeing that we continued to garner literally zero improvements aside from a few things, it's time to do it. We're going at it for three days straight and hope… hope that there was something to see."

Vin halted for a brief moment before he continued with his usual cold tone, "Now then, let's turn this place upside down shall we?"