Sanctuary
Weight of the World

Rychard was in the temporary Crystech Wing of the laboratory, he was reviewing video evidence that he had collected from the airship's journey to Sanctuary. Atlas walked into the lab, which was filled with half opened boxes, and approached Rychard.

"Hey, Rychard" Atlas said as he walked over to Rychard. Rychard turned just in time for Atlas' fist to hit his square in the jaw, Rychard went flying across the floor into a cabinet.

"Argh! What was that for?" Rychard asked.

"You really have to ask?" Atlas asked.

"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?!" Rychard yelled.

"No matter how many times you say sorry, it will NEVER be enough. You betrayed my trust, you betrayed Roisin's trust and sealed her future on a path that I did not want her to have to travel" Atlas roared.

"It was either her or Syl, Atlas, grow up and realize that sacrifices must be made" Rychard grunted as he got to his feet.

"Gods damn you Rychard! The only reason I don't kill you here and now is because you might still be useful to our cause" Atlas stated. "Oh, and another thing" Atlas sighed.

"What is it?" Rychard asked, as he straightend his tie.

"Leave Keegan alone, stop making requests to see him, stop trying to make contact, he is my responsibility, he is as much my son as Syl is, so if you make one more attempt to approach him, a sore jaw will be the least of your worries" Atlas said as he slammed his fist on the table.

"Are you finished?" Rychard asked.

"No, but when this is all finished, when we have managed to push back this darkness and restore the world, you won't live to see it" Atlas threatened.

"I wonder what young Roisin would think, if she heard her Uncle talking this way?" Rychard smirked.

"Oh trust me, Rychard, she'd be one hundred percent behind me" Atlas seethed with anger.

"I guess since you can't kill me til then, I can tell you... something" Rychard sighed as he looked at the screen.

"I'd tread carefully, if I was you" Atlas grunted.

"Do you want to know the price for being able to operate in Aranei?" Rychard asked.

"Not particularly, no" Atlas shrugged.

"It was Keegan" Rychard revealed.

Atlas stared at Rychard in silence for a moment, as the full weight of Rychard's betrayal sank in, his eyes slowly turned red as his Celestial Weapon formed in his hands.

"If you don't get out of my sight, I will kill you" Atlas stated, holding back his anger with all his strength.

"See you around, Atlas" Rychard smirked as he headed to the exit. Atlas breathed heavily, until he heard the door close. As soon as Rychard left the room, Atlas let out his anger, destroying everything in the lab, smashing screens, equipment, smashing glass windows, he ran his sword along the wall, through the center of the Crystech logo, before letting out a harrowing scream.

Several emergency alarms went off throughout the building and the sprinklers rained down in the destroyed Crystech labratory. Atlas fell to his knees, as he felt the sorrow of knowing that his once best friend had stolen years of love and care that Keegan would have gotten if he had never been taken.

Atlas began crying out in anguish, as the weight of the endless losses and emotional scars he had suffered throughout his life took their toll. The door squeaked open and the sound of footsteps in the shallow water approached Atlas.

Atlas didn't even glance at who was in the room, he already knew from the smell of her perfume.

"Atlas... what happened?" Lotte asked, as she embraced him, as the water rained down upon them both.

"I'm tired, Lotte, I'm so gods damned fucking tired" Atlas cried. The water raining down Lotte's face hid the tears that fell from her eyes. For a minute or two, she said nothing, she just comforted him as the sound of the sprinklers continued. Eventually, Atlas looked in Lotte's eyes.

"Please, never leave me" Atlas frowned.

"I promise, I won't" Lotte smiled, Atlas kissed Lotte and she returned the kiss. As the pulled away, Lotte smiled. "I promise to protect you, and Roisin, Syl and Keegan too" She added.

"Thank you" Atlas said, as the sprinklers finally stopped and the alarm silenced. "Thank you..." He repeated as he looked down at the floor.

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