A few days later…
Missio's eyes flew open. Blinking, he sat straight as light seeped through the windows. For a moment, he simply stared at the ground – no thoughts in his mind. He glanced to the side, noticing Dante sleeping soundly with rough hair. The transcendent groaned, pushing himself off. Landing on his feet, he grazed his phone. The display flashed on, showing the time.
[6:30 AM]
Then, he glanced at the date.
[Friday, August 31st.]
Heaving a heavy breath, he took a moment to relax. Pangea's Natalis flashed across his mind. The festival was days behind him now but… the Founder's first diary still echoed in his mind. He rolled his neck, cracking his spine. Pushing the bathroom door, he entered.
After a few minutes, he exited, washing his face. He swiped the excess water off, looking at his sleeping brother. Sighing, he approached the supreme commander and poked him.
"Hey, bro." Missio called out. "Wake up."
Dante blinked, opening his eyes. Propping onto his elbows, he stretched his face. Missio stepped back. The King jolted up and headed into the bathroom. Missio glanced at him before putting on his clothes. Exiting the toilet a minute later, Dante yawned. Missio tossed his clothes over.
"Here."
Dante caught them easily and began dressing up.
After, the siblings sat down at the front. Dante pressed his thumb on the wheel. Activating the RV, he reversed it out of parking. He swiveled it around the pavement and accelerated towards the exit. He halted near the entrance, hanging his arm out the window.
"Morning, good sir."
The man who had checked them in on their first day in dolomites smirked.
"Already going, your majesty?"
"Yeah, it's a long way to Milan."
"Have a good trip then. I've already finished up your automated payment."
"Great!" Dante pulled his hand back. "Have a good one."
The man leaned over his desk, watching the RV drive off. "You too, sir!"
***
Before Missio knew it, they were already on the highway. His blank eyes stared out the window as Dante put the vehicle into self-driving. The supreme commander drew his phone, opening up social media. Missio did the same. Though, instead, his finger hovered above an app.
'Let's check what that idiot is doing…'
He tapped on his contacts, dialing his best friend. Pressing his phone to his ear, he rested his elbow on the seat's armrest. Then, the call went through.
"Yo – Yo – Yo!" Krishna greeted excitedly.
"What's up, man?" Missio tilted his head. "What have you been upto lately?"
"Nothing much, mister. Just doing my special ops work, Y'know…" Krishna sneered.
"Okay, then… any news from Mary?"
Krishna chuckled slightly before answering which intrigued Missio.
"That girl is living her life in Stratos. She just sent me a photo of her and her friends practicing in the simulation."
"Simulation…?"
Countless memories flooded back into Missio's conscious.
"Yeah, that was a lotta fun… remember that time, you tried to override the pod's program to play Galactic Conquest?"
"It wasn't a dumb game!" Krishna exclaimed. "That game is a treasure to humanity."
Then, Missio heard a growl from the other side.
"And you…. You wiped my progress clean off the board…"
"The hell are you, a dog? Why are growling? Besides, there's a reason it's called conquest."
"You're literally in the top five Global players of all time, you sweat."
"Hey, I was banned for three months. You had time to catch up."
"While working a full-time job? Yeah, sure, buddy."
Missio heaved a sigh. "Anyways, how's Henry?"
"He's doing pretty good." Krishna commented. "I heard the Black ops is stable right now."
"What about Eira?"
"Oh, she–" Krishna's sentence was cut off by his own laugh. " She's been at him after your brother invited him to his wedding."
Missio's couldn't contain himself, letting out a small chuckled.
"Oh… I can imagine that. But, they've been engaged for like what? A couple years? My brother's been in a relationship for like twelve years."
"Dang." Krishna blurted in an exaggerated manner.
"I know." Missio leaned forward. "Now, I know what Isabella was feeling. Imagine dating a man for twelve years and he still won't propose."
"I can hear you." Dante informed.
"So?" Missio raised a brow. "I know."
The corners of the supreme commander's mouth twisted down. Missio returned to his conversation as the RV took them along the highway, racing through the streets at 110 kilometers per hour.
***
After a few hours…
The RV arrived at a certain city. Driving into the streets, Dante jolted up. He took back control, steering the vehicle to the right. As they passed the intersection, Missio woke up from his nap. The Ascendant glanced around with drowsy eyes.
"This isn't Milan…" Missio remarked, standing up.
"We're sleeping here for the night." Dante informed.
Missio shrugged, sitting down. "Alright."
The supreme commander curled his lips, entering a massive gas station. He parked the vehicle and relaxed his body. Standing up as the vehicle entered passive, he stretched his limbs.
"That was a long drive…" He contorted his body.
"Where are we having dinner?" Missio questioned.
Dante paused, turning. A blank face met Missio's eyes.
"Uh… what?" Missio blurted.
"Is food the only thing you think about these days?" Dante complained.
"I haven't eaten a good meal all day." Missio stated. "Snacks just don't do it."
Dante heaved a heavy breath, pushing the front door open. Stepping out of the vehicle, the evening haze met him. He tucked his hands into his pockets as Missio stepped off as well.
"Let's find a good spot somewhere…"
Dante moved forward. Missio rushed ahead, catching up with him.
"Quickly, bro… I'm so – so hungry…" He rubbed his belly.