Druig sat on the table at the end of the room, smirking at Phastos who sat in front of him, ’Phastos, it’s been a long time. To what do I owe the pleasure?’
‘You were right.’ Phastos sounded hollow and devoid of emotion. The smirk immediately slipped from Druig’s face, being replaced with an expression of confusion and concern.
‘I’m right about a lot of things. You’re going to need to be more specific.’
‘You were right about the humans. All they do is hurt each other. They’re not worth saving.’
‘Not all humans are bad. The problem is that the bad ones are always the ones on top.’
‘I’m done with giving them technology that they use to kill each other.’
Druig furrowed his brows, ‘It’s not your fault, Phastos.’
He looked at Druig in the eyes, ‘But you said-‘
‘I shouldn’t have said what I did. It wasn’t your fault and back then I was so frustrated and angry at everything. I should have never taken it out on you. All you have ever wanted to do was make their lives better with your inventions. It’s not your fault they used them for things they were never meant for.’
‘I just don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t know what my purpose is.’
‘Maybe just spend some time living without a purpose? Why don’t you stay here for a while? It’s a quiet and simple life here and it will give you some time to think.’
‘I don’t know… I wouldn’t want to be a bother.’
‘It’s no bother. Really.’
‘Thank you, Druig.’ He chuckles, ‘I never really knew you had a nice side when Makkari wasn’t involved.’ Druig smiles softly.
Phastos’ lips quirk up, ‘She really does make you soft, doesn’t she?’
Druig recollects himself, slipping back on his indifferent mask, ‘Don’t tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold.’
………..
‘Have you seen any of the others since you left?’ Phastos asked.
‘Ajak visited once.’
‘She did?’
‘Yeah. She can’t help but act like a mother to us. And it was nice being able to talk to her. Truly talk to her about what happened and how I felt.’
‘How did she take it?’
‘She just listened to me and acknowledged what I was feeling. She has made it clear that she doesn’t approve of what I am doing here, but she isn’t going to interfere.
Honestly, I’m not happy with myself for controlling the people here. But they seem happy. But maybe I am just fooling myself.’
‘Are you controlling them right now?’
‘No. I only control them when I need to and even then that is very rare. I am always with them though. To keep an eye on anyone who enters the compound or of any conflicts.’
‘It must be lonely. I don’t know if I could do this.’ Druig looked at Phastos, confused. ‘Be surrounded by people, but still not being close to anyone.’
‘It’s for the best. None of you said it, but I knew there were times you were afraid of me, of my power.’
‘I’m sorry, Druig.’
‘It’s okay, Phastos. I’ve had a long time to come to terms with it. I don’t blame you. I don’t blame any of you.’ He shakes his head, ‘It’s really good to see you. I have missed you.’
‘It’s good to see you too.’