Gods exist — and they reincarnate endlessly. That alone was already a lot to take in, but more questions filled Soren's head.
"What exactly is the Foundation?"
Ana spoke up.
"The Foundation is a centuries-old organization that, as Tachi said, protects humanity from divine problems. Humans don't know gods exist, and their conflicts could wipe us out. So our first duty is to prevent that."
"First duty?" Soren asked.
"The second," Nicolo interrupted, annoying Ana, "is to gather as much information as possible about the gods. You see, the reincarnation cycle is a real pain in the ass — memory loss keeps even gods from knowing the truth about themselves. But that's not the only problem. The different pantheons are hostile to each other and want nothing to do with us. The gods who work with us — like Tachi or Akyo — are recently reincarnated. Nearly all our knowledge comes from the Pillar of the Asian Territory."
'A pillar?' Soren wondered.
"So yeah," Nicolo continued, "collecting information is tough. What are gods really? Why don't they reveal themselves? This hole in our knowledge — we have to fill it. The more we know, the better we can protect humanity. Who knows what the pantheons are planning? They could be a bunch of narcissistic deities trying to reclaim their glory — or lunatics who want to eradicate humanity. That's why we, humans and gods of the Foundation, give everything we have to uncover the truth." He stared out at the landscape behind the glass.
"But if humans don't know gods exist, why are some working here?"
Ana answered, "There are a few reasons. But everyone here has had contact with divine beings, often against their will. In my case, it was because of my brother — Tachi — who exposed me to his nature without meaning to." She glanced at him, laughing.
"Yeah, well, we were kids," Tachi replied. "I didn't really understand what was happening. If I'd known, I wouldn't have dragged you into all this."
Ana continued, "So the Foundation offers these people a place, a job — a way to live a somewhat normal life after divine incidents, which are often traumatic. Many people here have lost loved ones because of gods…"
Tachi jumped in, "Wow, that's seriously depressing. But don't worry, Soren — no one here's losing anyone on my watch. Anyway, we've got time for one last question. Anything else?" he said with his usual bright smile.
'Is he really that strong?' Soren wondered before asking his final question:
"Tachi, did you know the former me — the old Jormungandr?"
He didn't know why exactly, but that question mattered to him. Maybe knowing he'd once been good would bring some comfort.
"Great question," Tachi said, "but no, not at all. And to be honest, no one ever has. I know a guy — an old Norse god, centuries old — even he's never seen any Jormungandr. Though to be fair, he's a bit of a drunk, so even if he had, he probably wouldn't remember. He's always wasted."
Soren felt disappointed but didn't show it. He didn't really know who he was — other than being some colossal serpent of bad omen. Maybe someone who knew the old Jormungandr could help him recover his memories more easily.
"Well then!" Tachi said, clapping his hands. "Hope that answers enough for now. Time to get moving — I've got things to do. We'll meet again this afternoon. Ana, show Soren around."
"Huh? Me?" she asked.
Akyo stood up. "I'm heading out too," he said briefly.
Nicolo stood as well, walking up to Soren and extending his hand with a smile. "I've got things to handle, but it was a pleasure meeting you!"
Soren stood and shook his hand.
They weren't the only ones leaving — the cafeteria was emptying fast, people saying their goodbyes and heading off in all directions. The Foundation really did feel like a community.
Ana stretched. "Alright, let's go," she said, walking ahead. Soren followed.
They left through a different door than the one Soren had entered. As they walked, he thought over everything that had been said.
'They all seem kind… except maybe one', he thought.
Then he asked, "What's Akyo's problem?"
"He acts indifferent all the time — it's a shell. He's not a bad guy. We've known each other since we were kids. He lost his parents young, and Tachi took him in when he was seventeen , Akyo was nine — treated him like a little brother."
'So that's why he respects him so much', Soren realized.
"But trust me, he doesn't pull that attitude with me," Ana said, turning to Soren — and he noticed the scar on her face again.
"Not to be rude, but… what's with that scar?" he asked.
She chuckled. "The reason I'm here! One day, when we were kids, Tachi told me he wanted to show me something. So I followed him — then he started waving his hands around like an idiot, until he accidentally shot a blast of air that grazed my cheek. He panicked, but I thought it was awesome."
The story made Soren smile. 'Tachi really does seem like a good person', he thought.
For about an hour, they toured the base — many quarters, the logistics team room, and rooms dedicated solely to entertainment for the people stationed there: games, televisions, and more.
'It's like a little city. Everything's set up for people's well-being. They really try to make sure everyone here feels good, feels like they belong…' thought Soren.
The building seemed to form a sort of square with several floors, and from what Ana had told him, there were still two parts she hadn't shown him yet. For one of them, she was brief, only explaining that he didn't yet have the required rank to access it — since Soren wasn't even ranked at all.
"We've got one last stop before I take you to see Tachi," said Ana.
"Where to?" asked Soren.
"You'll see!" she replied.
So Soren followed her. They passed through the hall in front of the cafeteria, then down the corridor leading to his room. Eventually, they stopped in front of it.
"What are we doing here?" Soren asked, surprised.
"Come on, get in!" she said shortly.
Soren opened the door, and behind it stood Nicolo — his back turned, facing the window in which we could see the blazing sun.
"Nicolo?"
"So... it's finally time," said Nicolo.
'Time for what?' thought Soren, confused about what was going on.
The blond man, still with his back facing Soren, began to turn slowly. His movement was almost cinematic — dramatic — every bit of it carefully performed. And when he finally faced Soren, his secret was revealed.
An apron. Scissors. But most importantly — a pair of sunglasses that allowed him to stare dramatically into the sun without his eyes exploding in under three seconds.
"It's time... to cut your mane. Don't get me wrong — I love it. But this is an order from Tachi. That sadist... gave me this mission just to make me suffer. So... sorry, Soren. Truly sorry..."
'What the fuck is he yapping about?' thought Soren, bewildered at the sight of this tall Italian man, over thirty, striking a heroic pose, with his arm holding the scissors extended in his direction — as if this were some tragic moment.
Ana, behind him, was all in. She wasn't laughing — she was living this tragic separation between Soren's hair and Nicolo.
"Absolute cinema," she whispered, a tear in her eye.
'They're completely insane', thought Soren.
"Honestly, just do it quickly. This hairstyle wasn't a choice — I guess," he said.
"Any requests?" asked Nicolo.
"No, cut it however you want."
"Very well, sit down," he replied — and thus began his work. He cut, and cut, and soon the long mane was gone.
"Well, I'm done," he said, handing Soren a mirror.
Soren looked at himself. His hair wasn't short, but now it only reached his neck.
'I feel... lighter', he thought.
But before Soren could thank him, Nicolo spoke again: "No. Don't say anything. I know. But.. I have to go. See you later, Soren."
And then he left, without even glancing back. Not once.
'What's with him and hair?' Soren wondered.
Ana spoke up: "Alright, now that that's done, we're late — so we'll have to hurry! Grab what's in the second wardrobe!" Then she closed the door.
Soren stepped forward — indeed, the second wardrobe, where Tachi's drawing had been, was now unlocked. He opened it and found clothes inside. He put them on.
Black pants, frayed at the bottom. A turtleneck top that clung to his torso but had wide sleeves, and over it, a red cape.
'It's so comfortable', he thought. 'Who picked these clothes for me?' he wondered.
"Done?" Ana asked from behind the door.
Soren opened it. "Yeah, done."
She looked at his new look and smiled. "Alright, come on — follow me!"
They both set off, and after walking for a few minutes, they arrived at a massive door. Behind it was the second part of the base Ana hadn't shown him yet. This section seemed to be at the very center of the base, which surrounded it.
"Well, I'll leave you here — he's waiting for you inside. Good luck! Oh, and give Akyo a kiss for me, alright?" Then she walked away.
'To give him a kiss,huh? Sure, Whatever' Soren thought. He then waited a few seconds, staring at the massive door — it must have been at least five meters tall.
'Why such a huge door...?'
Finally, Soren opened it. It led to an enormous white room. Akyo was there, leaning against a wall, as indifferent as ever.
'What is this enormous place...?' thought Soren, staring in awe at the vastness of the room.
"Hey!" someone shouted. Soren turned towards the voice.
And there he was — sitting cross-legged several meters above the ground, resting his head on his hand. Tachi, with his ever-present grin.
"So, Soren... are you ready to understand who you are?"