Two weeks later…
The world continued to move even when Missio was recovering. Soon, June went by like a past memory that had stuck for too long. July came – half the year had passed already. After spending a month in Vatican City, Missio had gotten somewhat used to the religion. Though, he had left it long ago after the Gamma rift incident.
The RV activated as Dante pressed on the throttle. Missio sat in the passenger seat with his arms crossed. They left the RV parking lot and drove onto the roads of the city. After a while, they were back on the highway – heading for Cinque Terre. Missio stared at his azure blue eyes in the mirror. He still wasn't used to them. He felt like a completely different person. He sighed and turned away from the mirror. He looked outward, towards the highway once more.
Beside him, Dante pulled out his phone. He dialed Bellum's number and placed the device in the middle compartment. After a few rings, the commander of the REOC Apex Forces picked up.
"Yo – Yo, Good morning~"
"Where are you?" Dante yawned.
"Just boarded the flight with Victor." Bellum replied. "It's a flight from Romulus to Bologna to Cinque Terre."
"Figured. There's no direct route from Romulus to Cinque Terre."
"By the way, are you gonna pick us up?"
"Duh." Dante replied. "We just left Vatican City and are in for a… six-hour trip to Pisa. We'll catch you there. Is Victor with you?"
"Yeah, he's with me." Bellum said.
"Nice. Alright, see you soon."
"Same to you. See you to the beach!" Bellum cut the call.
Dante sighed as the call ended. He put the RV into self-driving mode. The AI within the car's system took the wheel and used the GPS to map a route to Pisa. Dante leaned back. He glanced at Missio, noticing that his little brother was blankly staring out the glass.
"Bro." He called out.
Missio blinked. He turned towards his big brother.
"What?"
"Nothing." Dante leaned forward. "How'd you like Vatican City?"
Missio paused for a moment. He looked back on the time they had spent at the city. It had certainly shifted his unnecessary hate for the religion but his faith had not been restored.
"…It was… okay." Missio replied.
"No second thoughts?"
"Nah…but it did get me to see the true nature of the religion… I've always wondered why people pray to an invisible creator? Why do they hope that blessings will fall from the sky? Why do they think God will forgive them no matter what, protect them no matter the cost… It's all just our own fear."
Dante's lips couldn't help but curl up.
"Yes… you're correct. People pray to God because they need an anchor of hope. Someone that they can trust to help them navigate the danger of the world. Jesus gave them exactly that. A sinless believer who proclaimed himself to be the Son of God yet died by the hands of God's chosen people." Dante rambled on.
"It's a pity that we still call the Jewish God's chosen people to this day…"
"Judaism was dissolved during the legendary age." Dante stated. "It's stated in the bible that 'For the first time in history, his followers didn't hear his words but his own voice.' God told them to move away from Judaism. He told them he gave them a chance to reform the religion they had made to serve him yet they couldn't. So, henceforth, he would create another following."
"It says that in the bible…? I haven't read in a long – long time…" Missio scratched his head.
"Don't think too much of it." Dante replied. "The Great War wiped out any evidence of that but the Tales of the Storm Chaser do state that the Archangel Michael himself descended to clear Pangea of his name when he was put on trial by the Ashic Empire for attacking the Primordial Storm Dragon – Raijin."
"That was my favorite part!" Missio exclaimed. "Seeing Pangea fight with his dragons against the literal embodiment of storms was cool as shit!"
"Mine too…" Dante chuckled.
The duo continued to chat like true brothers as they drove along the highway, heading towards Pisa to pick up their guests.
***
After a few hours…
Missio and Dante finally arrived in Pisa. They drove through the city, heading towards the airport. Dante rang Bellum's phone. After a few seconds, the latter pick up.
"Bellum, where are you?" Dante spoke first.
"Just got off the plane." Bellum replied. "We're heading out right now. Where are you at?"
"Just arrived in the city." Dante replied. "I'm driving to the airport right now."
"I'll tell you when I see you. What are you driving?"
"An RV."
"I see… Alright, keep me on the call."
Dante turned a corner. After a few minutes, they finally arrived at the airport. In his vision, he saw two men standing at the edge of the parking lot. One of them had blonde hair that was styled into a middle part, green eyes and glasses that rested on his nose. His attire consisted of a white T-shirt, a dark blue shirt made of silk that was worn over the white T-shirt, dark pants and a pair of white sneakers – Victor.
The other man had sparkling white hair, red eyes and wore a black T-shirt with blue jeans and a pair of white sneakers as well – Bellum. Dante pulled up and braked near the two of them. Bellum whistled and rushed over to the door. Victor followed closely behind. Dante opened the door to the vehicle. The next moment, Bellum jumped in and stretched his limbs.
"Freedom at last!" He exclaimed. "It's time for a trip with the bros!"
Dante turned around, putting his hand over the seat.
"Welcome to the RV, fellas. Make yourselves comfortable."
"I will!" Bellum took off his bag, threw it on the bed.
Victor stepped in as well. He raised an arm, greeting his friend.
"Sup, Dante."
"Nice to see ya, dude." Dante smirked.
"Where's Missio?" Victor inquired.
Right then, Missio turned around as well. He met his previous therapist's gaze with his azure blue eyes. Victor froze. He felt an uneasy pressure radiating from Missio. Those azure blue eyes of his stared into soul as if they were judging his very existence. Missio raised his hand and tilted his head – smiling.
"Long time no see, Victor. How you've been, man?"