Chains Of Pride

"Construct? You mean that thing we'll be able to make based off of those blueprint things you were talking about before?" Kia questioned for clarity's sake.

"The very same, but what you don't know is that a construct is, in its simplest definition, the physical manifestation of your subconscious esse, it's not something you can just choose to create, it is what is." He explained.

"Of course, it can be anything, ranging from weapons to supplementary existences. Just about anything that most resonates with you on a deeply subliminal level, but as everyone's frequency vary in range, speed or intensity, all of these influences the outcome. As a result, the construct themselves tend to differ, so no two constructs that are exactly the same has ever appeared…Hmmm."

The Shepherd could see that Lanzo was holding in a question at this point.

"What do you want to ask? I permit a question at this time."

"So what sort of construct do you have?" Lanzo stared straight in his eyes when he posed his query.

At this, Shepherd Hide released a small smile before he responded: "It's weapon-based, as for what it is, you're not qualified to know, but with my guidance, you will be soon."

"Hold on a second, we never said anything about agreeing to whatever the hell …this is." Gero wouldn't miss the barely hidden intent in Takeshi's voice.

"Oh that, well I felt if I left you to your own devices, you wouldn't come to an acceptable decision anytime soon, so I just made the decision," Takeshi said matter of factly.

"You can't force us to join this organisation of yours." Gero was practically seething at this point, if there was one thing he hated, it was when he was told or forced to do much of anything, a trait that made him that much less liked among his peers.

"True, I can't force you to do anything outside the academy…well, I can, but I'll keep that out of this for the time being. However, as a Shepherd, I have enough power to do with you guys what I will, and you will soon know my will. You may leave now, by tomorrow you'll be aware of your new arrangements."

"Oh, and Gero, that look of yours may scare the other Shepherds and Digiums, but you keep up that stare of yours, and I just may gouge out those eyes of yours."

At this, Kia and Gero's eyebrows shot up. What kind of Shepherd, openly threatens his Digiums, does he not care about his station? 'Hmph," Gero stood and turned around to exit the mansion, he was soon followed by Lanzo and Kia respectively.

"Guest release x3" When Shepherd Hide spoke, the front door opened, granting the young men passage from the mansion where they looked each other one last time before parting ways.

"Hateful!! I hate that Shepherd! Well whatever, Shepherds may have a lot of power in Cendo, but he'll need the authorisation of the upper brass of the Academy to exercise all of it, and as far I'm concerned, the Shepherds haven't been able to do that in the longest time." Gero was still stewing in the earlier happenings in the mansion when he had left.

He had already parted ways with Kia and Lanzo as well. He didn't know them too well, and quite frankly he didn't care to. He was a loner for the most part and didn't plan to change for two strangers he simply didn't feel annoyed around.

Additionally, he wasn't wrong, though the Shepherds wielded considerable influence in the Academy forcing Digiums to work with others wasn't something that could casually be done.

The Academy valued the freedom of their Digium greatly, as it was under these conditions that they could continue to contribute their best to the Academy. Hence, unless there were some unknown precedent, the Academy wouldn't allow a Shepherd to force the Digiums into such a situation.

"Hmph, Shepherd Hide huh? Let's see what you've got under your sleeves." He continued on like this, planning to head back to his novre room, before putting up for the day.

Though he kept grumbling to himself, in all honesty his mind couldn't help but run back to all the things that the Shepherd told them.

What if it was all true, what if there was some hidden power lurking within them, just waiting to burst out? This was the thought plaguing not just Gero, but Kia and Lanzo as well. After all, who could be calm after finding that out, and not only was there this power. Based on the Shepherd's word, it seemed they were also outside the normal scope of even those who possessed this power.

It seemed that no matter where they go, they would always end up being the odd ones out, figures. Even among the odd ones, they were still the odd ones.

They would go their separate path today, but whether it would lead them back together again, they couldn't tell. They would have to wait until the next chapter in their lives before they knew the answer.

…

"Here I thought you'd be softer with the kids so I could finally see a fatherly side to you, but you're just as popular with them as you were back in-"

"How the hell did you get in here?" Takeshi asked, interrupting her before she finished asking. He was, of course, referring to Vizio who was standing in the corner of the room.

Hearing his question, she frowned before replying "Your a.s.s that's how! What's your plan with those kids anyway? From what I know we send anyone who could be Taliums to the organisations, or is it that in your situation the normal rules don't apply? And what the hell is that girl from before?"

At this Takeshi glared intensely at Vizio, when she saw this she simply shrugged, "Fine, don't tell me then, I hope you know what you're doing here Takeshi, you know how the upper brass of the organisation feel about you. Adding in those kids," she sighed up to here expressing her worries for him on the matter.

She continued further, saying, "Those kids are something entirely different, leaking pressure and aura without even returning to the origin, they've barely even begun," she seriously said. However, when she saw his unchanged expression, her expression grew more severe, and just as she was about to say something, he responded saying.

"Vizio some things are not just myths, believe me on this. Don't mention this matter again. I know what I'm doing." When she saw him turn towards her, it seemed as if he aged by a considerable margin as if the years were harsh on him. She simply nodded at this and turned away to leave, leaving him stewing in his thoughts.

Before she could reach too far, that same firm voice was heard, "It was …good, seeing you again Viz." She paused when those words caught her ears, mainly the familiar 'Viz' he used to call her. She didn't turn around but revealed a smile, and her eyes misted up, however, no tear fell. She simply continued on her way out of the mansion.

He didn't even bother to say anything for the mansion to allow for her leaving, knowing truthfully that she could come and go as she pleased. Nothing could stop that woman when she wanted to infiltrate any location, he was too familiar with her skills in that regard.

As she walked on, she saw Ayuki heading in the opposite direction, probably heading to where Takeshi was. Ayuki was looking back at her in a daze thinking "What a beautiful woman…wait a tick, another guest in the mansion?! What's going on?" She decided not to linger on this and passed by with a quick "Hello."

When she passed, Vizio turned to look at her departing figure before smiling to herself "Well, seems like I have a show to watch later on." She disappeared from her original position gracing the mansion the silence that belonged to it on any other day."