Episode 5-George's Awakening (1)

<Wandering the City>

Music: The Ghost of You - My Chemical Romance

It was a new, scathing day. A lot of people love the rising sun, but it was currently beating onto my body, and causing the choking ash to rise again. I was immune though, but it truly made me think of the depths of hell.

I woke up in a panic from my disturbing dreams. My body was sprawled out, as if I broke my bones, but when I stood, I felt that they weren't even fractured. They were only sore.

(I don't believe in a God, but thank god for that,) I thought.

[Du mb as sss y ou co ul d ve bee n ea ten wh ile Georg e was sle eep ing... he mi ght n ot of heard.]

I nodded my head to the words that appeared to me, and me only. George had the [Willful Deafness] skill - which was rewarded to Marines by the Star Stream. It would allow him to handle loud explosions and gunshots, while protecting his ear-hair, which allowed people to receive sound.

(Well, he doesn't have to worry about insurance payouts now,) I thought bitterly while staring upward.

[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" wonders why you were sprawled onto the ground.]

[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" was afraid you have died. They believe that Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" has a heavy heart.]

[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" has gifted you 1500 coins for all the exposition and information that you have given. They have written it in their "Book of Thoth."]

[Nebula "The Nile Empire" has called upon Constellation "Egyptian Thought" for a meeting.]

[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" has sponsored another 1500 coins to Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

[They have left Dokkaebi Herald's Channel Chat.]

(It seems that Secretive Plotter and Egyptian Thought like my scenarios. Also... Book of Thoth? So, it's Thoth from Ancient Egyptian history? I guessed, but... they mentioned the Book of Thoth. That's basically revealing your true name,) I thought quizzically. (Well, I guess they subscribed.)

I placed my hands into my pants pockets, and began to go back inside the very building I jumped off. I walked up the broken cement staircases. I treaded carefully, until I was back at the area George was sleeping. They were practicing with their rifle, and were aiming it at the walls. They pretended to fire it, and account for the recoil.

(His Marine training is good,) I thought, (that's some muscle memory right there. I'll read his stats again in Character Summary.)

They looked when I came in. They didn't smile, but they seemed relieved when I came back. I waved at George.

"Hey, man."

"Hey, Ethan," they replied.

They were tending to their rifle. They making sure that it was kept in proper condition. They unloaded the gun, set aside the the ammo stock, and began cleaning the barrel of the rifle. They did it precisely, cleanly, and with measured effectiveness. I activated my skill to check their mentality.

[Character "George Machen" has an improved mentality!]

We would still need to survive, but I was content with this moment. I decided to stand guard while holding my melee weapons, to give George space to safely unload and clean his guns. After he was done, he literally said so in a cheery voice.

"I'm done, Ethan!" he exclaimed.

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" has sponsored his Incarnation with 300 coins.]

[Constellations are mocking fellow Constellation "Anti-Confederacy"!]

George looked at the incoming messages and shook his head. He began speaking, and asking questions.

(I must be careful. They have the Eyes of Truth attribute,) I thought.

"Ethan... seriously, what the f*cking hell are the Constellations...?"

(Wow, he actually cussed. That wasn't in the original novel...)

I looked to the sky and said, "They are ethereal beings-"

[Constellations are glad that Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" knows his place.]

"That have a hierarchy amongst themselves."

George looked to me as he began to holster his two guns.

"Really? They seem pretty... frightening."

[Constellations are glad that Incarnation "George Machen" knows his place.]

"Ignore them. Constellations can be petty. Not all are equal in the great universe of Star Stream," I stated firmly.

George seemed surprised by my words. He was wearing the goggles I gave to him, which protected his eyes. I wore a black-cloth mask, and a dark rain jacket, which protected my identity. I wouldn't see his eyes lift in shock, and he wouldn't see the disdain in my face, or the sharp teeth that resembled fangs. He was about to speak up, and I could tell - being an effective leader, demagogue, or politician was saying honeyed words that divided people. It was also being swept up in the moment, and saying things that may not make sense in the first place.

"People always respect age, right? They always vote for the elderly, they fear the young and they condescend us when we begin to speak our minds-"

[Nebula "The Congress of America" like the wise-words of Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

"People use the past as an excuse to continue the vicious cycle of pain and suffering, while using their ancestry and legacy as a way to validate their actions. It's hypocrisy-" I continued to stare at George as I spoke, and began to point to the sky.

"and the "Constellations" above us are no different. It's obvious that some are lesser, George. Haven't you been reading the chats? How Constellations are rude to other Constellations? They donate to us? Coins? It's just an intergalactic system, George, toxic as anything when sentient beings connect in the aggregate."

[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" is nodding his head in agreement.]

[Constellation "Abyssal Black Flame Dragon" is snorting black flames from his nostrils.]

[Many Constellations dislike "Ethan Nakamura" and his lack of respect.]

My intense glare, which was aimed at George, was now turning to the sky, and the viewers of #HE-2020.

"You. I recognize you from history, from fables, and from old-folks tales."

[Nebula "The Congress of America" is unnerved by Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" and their intense glare.]

[Many Constellations feel as if they had something stare into their soul!]

[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" admires the words that were spoken and agrees.]

[They are sponsored 4000 coins to Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

I saw their message, and their donation. I also saw the following that came after.

[oh f@ck off SP!!!]

[get the f*ck out!!]

[lmao wizdon my ass]

[Lol]

[lol]

[4000 coins?]

[lol]

[they arnt cool]

[stop u r cringe]

[u arnt cool SP lmao]

[cringe]

[Multiple Constellations have donated to Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura!"]

[Amount: 10,000 coins!]

I looked at the incoming messages, and within my periphery, I saw George doing the same. Sweat beads were breaking from their forehead, and were dripping to their brow. I knew it wasn't due to the heat. Their mouth opened and closed in shock, as their eyes struggled to see all the incoming messages.

(They finally understand,) I thought. (The hypocrisy...)

[Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" has returned the 10,000 coins!]

[Constellation "Cotton Gin Creator" has left in the chat in shock!]

[Nebula "The Congress of America" are debating the American spirit of Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura!"]

[Constellations of anti-communism are wondering if Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" is like those J@9 bastards.]

[Many Constellations have left the channel due to toxicity!]

[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" has donated 10,000 coins to Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

I stared at the last message, without even batting an eyelash. All the anger I was building up was gone when I received this donation.

[Anhedonia Lv.10 is heavily activated!]

(I'm glad that I have one constellation that supports my scenarios. I thought they weren't powerful, but it doesn't make sense that they have so many coins. They might even get into trouble with the Dokkaebi Bureau for donating so much as well... there's a limit.)

"Well, George, there you go. You - firsthand - have seen the cruel system that we live in and-"

He stared at me, with rapt attention.

"-have now realized that we have to survive."

George gripped his rifle, while staring at me. I activated Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Stage One.

[H-how di-dn't I rea-lize....???]

(Because you went insane in the original novel, George,) I thought. (All you had left was being a Marine.)

"George."

"Y-yes?"

"Look at your guns," I said softly.

George stared at his guns, realizing that they weren't even a modern type, such as a M-27. He realized that it wasn't a M-27 that had a 420 millimeter barrel. It was a .58 caliber Springfield, with a barrel of 1016 millimeters. It was a gun that could shoot three rounds a minute, up to 500 meters. It was a gun which required sharp-shooting, and an experienced soldier. He also noticed the revolver strapped to his side, which was a LeMat pistol, instead of a Glock. They carried that gun throughout the previous scenarios.

(Completely alone.)

Those were guns that were made for the Civil War. Those guns only numbered in an estimated million, though.

"George, the gun you are holding is considered a relic to many humans. What you don't know is this: Constellations are similar to gods."

"Gods...?" he breathed out.

"Don't be afraid. That's what angels always say in the bible, right?"

"Yes. Of course..."

I remembered a written flashback from TWSA, which showed the perspective and thoughts of Mathew McFarland. The author wrote it, and thought it was vital to characterize Mathew McFarland and his heinousness.

+

"The people around me are inferior. You mention their god, you mention their religion, you mention that you believe in it, and -BAM!!!- they like you more. You refer to the Lord with a capital "L" and speak of sheep, and how Lord Jesus is the greatest shepherd that will save your soul. The people will take you into their group, and they'll believe that you deserve to be placed right next to God himself, in heaven, existing in perpetual happiness.... Those idiots."

+

It was such a sinister chapter. It was later revealed by the author that they based the character of Mathew McFarland on a famous cultist named "David Waco."

It was an American incident that required the intervention of police forces. The people who believed in Waco were devout, and Waco himself spoke of God. When the police forces tried to talk to his devotees - as they lay siege to their base - they realized how insane Waco was, and how he manipulated his followers so well, that they excused his actions.

(Such as having multiple wives. Taking them for himself. Probably creating children in his own perverted kingdom to satisfy his own self-importance. His own mother seemed proud of him as well. It's one of the reasons why I hate harems.)

Many people spoke of that moment, for it's importance in America's recent history. It was nothing but a battle between a mad cultist, and the Government of the U.S. They showed it on TV, made documentaries, and wrote books about it.

(Such as Will Hill. They wrote "After the Fire," a book from the perspective of a young teenage girl, who saw the flaws of the place she was living in. In the end, she survived, but not before being traumatized by the "Father." It was based on a true story, but carried the dark spirit of that American moment. It was a fictional work, but it was still hard to read. Even for me.)

"George, in the Old Testament, the Angels have four ranks: Cherubim, Malakh, Seraphim, and Ophanim."

[Constellation "Savior of the Corrupted" is staring intently at Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

"People who believe in that stuff always believe in blessings and what-not, but a blessing has to be earned."

George continued to stare at the incoming messages. Christian-based religions were very powerful, especially in the U.S. Sadly, many people made New Testaments, and conformed the old to fit their "Fables." The Old Testament was originally made in Israel, and was a vicious text that contained disturbing contents. Even I knew about it, and it wasn't even my bible. TWSA was.

It was time to enlighten George. To "awaken" them.

"George, there is a rank system for angels. It's the same for Constellations. And-"

I began to point above George's head, and towards the burning star died in crimson.

"Your Constellation sponsor [Anti-Confederacy] is actually Ulysses S. Grant, a General under President Abraham Lincoln, who fought against the Southern States that seceded and formed the Confederacy. They gave you those two Constellations Artifacts. They have blessed you, and gifted you those two items."

"Wait-WHAT."

George looked towards the sky, hoping to stare into the camera that would broadcast his reactions. He looked erratically, hoping to make eye-contact with the famous general.

"Ulysses S. Grant.... I didn't even see that name... I didn't even know... How did I not..." George said this as he pressed his hand against his forehead, in complete shock. He began to say something.

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" is staring at Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

[They acknowledge that "Ulysses S. Grant" is their true name.]

[They are looking at Marine "George Machen."]

"I--I really am stu-"

"Don't say your stupid, George." I said with a firm voice. "You're a Marine, one of the hardest branches out of the five. The U.S. has fallen; you have survived. People always poke fun at soldiers. They complain about taxes, and the military budget."

George looked back to me.

"But the people need to know that they aren't throwing their money to killing machines. They are investing in "people" such as yourself. Korea has mandatory drafts, while the Japan has the JSDF."

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" is staring at Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]

[Nebula "The Congress of America" are watching intently.]

"George, I am not a Marine... but I understand."

(I was invested in your story, George.)

[You have activated "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" Stage Two!]

[Character "George Machen" has had their worldview shaken!]

"We are in hell, George. The thing is this: our hell is temporary."

I waved towards the shattered windows. To the ashy sky that cried heat and flame, instead of tears of mercy.

(I remember the society that I used to live in. The society that I hate, that was filled with hypocrites. They expect you to shut up and to receive therapy. Then they found out, and they stare at you with their condescending eyes. They call you "special." Or if they are truly venomous, they call you a ret*rd to your face. They post about you. Bully you to the brink of death. Then they laugh online that you killed yourself if you really do.)

[Character "George Machen" has their spirit rekindled somewhat!]

"George Machen." I said. "I am grateful that I met you."

(I always wondered why the author of TWSA killed you so much.)

"I'm not going to say something cliché, such as "good people." Everyone has their sins, George."

(George Machen was someone who always argued with Anna whenever she made extreme deals with Constellations...) I thought. (They were horrified as she killed, and used Selena King. It was another reason he killed himself.)

"You, George, don't have as many sins as they do."

(They were traumatized by the First Scenario. The system acknowledged that George killed his friend, and that is why he became suicidal.)

"George, even if you don't listen to my words-"

(Even if you die, or commit suicide, like you did throughout the regressions-)

"I am truly glad that I met you. To me, you are a comrade in arms."

[Character "George Machen" has become more lucid!]

"Comrades..." he whispered. "NO!!! I don't deserve them!!!"

He fell to his knees while saying this. I stood where I stood, making sure that I kept my distance. I had to drive it in, deep into his head.

(I have to tell him...)

"George, when you die, people will always miss you." I pointed to myself. "Such as me."

(I realized that whenever you kept on dying. You were the same throughout all the rounds of regression. Kind. Loving. Caring. Family-based. You didn't even read the bible, but you learned how to respect others. That was your character.)

"I respect you, George."

(That's why I hate them... Mathew McFarland.)

"We have to clear the scenarios, and fight the hypocrisy."

[All the Constellations of American history are staring at you!]

+

-[Hey!!! Why did the Constellations leave the chat so quickly!!]

-[Herald, it will all make sense later. Place a temporary slow mode on the chat, and prevent any Constellations from donating.]

-[Fine]

+

[Dokkaebi Herald has placed the chat in slow mode and has prevented donations!]

I continued to stare at George Machen.

[You have an immense understanding of George Machen! They trust you deeply!]

[Their suicidal tendencies and depression are being suppressed!]

(I don't believe that... Depression will always come, but it can come back with a vengeance. It never truly fades away, especially when it's birthed from trauma. When it comes to suicide, it isn't something that comes out of the blue. It's something that a person thinks about for a long time. Nothing may fix it...)

I approached George. I dropped my blade onto the ground, and offered them my open hand.

"George. Take my hand and-"

They looked at it.

"-let's try not to die. Together."

[Character "George Machen" is evolving!]

(You will see the truth of this world, George. We will make it to the end of this story...)

They took my hand. I grabbed it, and used my strength to pull them up.

(I'll meet the man in white and I'll save "them"... but first... it starts with you.)

"Whenever we are in danger, let's save each other. I save you, you save me."

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" admires the true comradeship of the two Incarnations.]

(Some people always think war is cool,) I thought as I looked towards the sky. (But even the greatest people who fight in wars, hate the war that they fought. Even then, they are remembered as the person who fought it, no matter who they are.)

"George, the Constellations are bound by their old narratives and Historic-Fables. Whenever you feel thoughts entering your mind that aren't your own, tell me."

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" will respect the free will of Incarnation "George Machen."]

"Ethan..." he finally said.

(How? How do you know this? Are they a... genius? Who are they? To survive this long...?)

"My name is Ethan Nakamura, George Machen. I was never in the military, but I have strategies and tactics in mind that can allow us to win."

(How is he a kid...? He really reminds me of an a-)

"I studied a lot of history" I interrupted. "I read a lot of books."

(Ohhh.... He's a reader? Really, I never expected that... but he's right. We're in a war.)

"Some of the books were about sword-fighting, history, regressing, returning and reincarnating."

(What is all that?)

"Wha-"

I interrupted again. "I just read a lot of webnovels."

I let go of George's hand.

(I gained the respect of the American related Constellations... I set a precedent of the scenarios I intend to make.)

"C'mon, George. Let's go to the mall."

Before we did, though, he saluted the sky before he left. He held his rifle the way he was taught, and he stood up straight.

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" has said "At ease soldier."]

George began to burn with passion. He began to shout with it.

"SIRYESSIR!!"

As he shouted with conviction, he spat spittle from his mouth, which evaporated from the heat that entombed us. He swiftly brought his saluting hand to the side of his body, and grabbed his rifle with both hands.

[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" has named Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" a Sergeant Major.]

[You have received a blessing of a Constellation for saving their Incarnation!]

[Presidents of the past, and the Senate of the Nebula "The Congress of America" will name Ethan Nakamura a General if they successfully fight against the incoming disasters!]

(They will definitely get in trouble for that. The Dokkaebi Bureau will restrict some of their Star Stream usage for that.)

"A General, huh?"

I bowed at a 45 degree angle, towards the sky. The Constellations didn't see my emotionless face.

(It will be a good fable to have when I become a king,) I thought deeply.

"I will do my best to complete these bloody scenarios. I swear it."

[Character "George Machen" has confirmed that your statement is true!]

I stood up straight, and looked back to George. They stood with more confidence.

(They can finally use their private attribute...)

[Constellations that are involved in the success and failures of the United States have subscribed to Dokkaebi Channel #HE-2020!]

[Some are proceeding to leave the channel.]

(Sometimes, the greatest blessing isn't watching, but encouraging.)

George saluted me as well, but I waved it away.

"Just call me Ethan. We haven't won any important scenarios yet."

(But I did, George.)

George and I began to invest our coins into the Agility and Stamina stats. We ran out of the building, and we began to head towards a Seattle mall. We ran low to avoid any dangers, and we sought cover. We fought and killed any violent Wanderers, and the extraterrestrial Constellations who stayed to watch received the entertainment that they wanted.

We run for kilometers, until we saw it. The mall. I pointed with my Kruk-sword.

"That's a Macy's Mall, George. It has several hidden dungeons."

We began to walk towards it. We would finally become stronger.