"Samuel… are you absolutely certain about this decision?" Xavier still felt hesitant. He could not fathom why Samuel would place such a profound degree of trust in him.
"I would never have offered to give this to you if I truly wasn't."
"Haah… if that's what you want." Xavier exhaled deeply, only now taking the remote from Samuel.
Samuel rose to his feet, his face spread with a warm smile. However, the warm smile soon vanished, and in its place was a stern and serious appearance that betrayed a shift in his mood.
"Master Xavier—"
'Still calling me Master, eh? Well… not that I hate it.' Xavier thought.
"I am more than happy to tell you about what is inside the other black box. Nevertheless, I should mention that it would be so much better if you were a little bit older. Having said that, I wish to make it more than clear that I will absolutely not tell you anything at all about what is behind that specific door," Samuel went on.
"Is it somehow related to what you said before? You know, the bit about gaining an unimaginable level of power in exchange for my very soul?" Xavier asked, a chill running down his spine.
"That is right," Samuel agreed.
Gulp.
"All right, I agree to stay away from it for now. But I am doing this only because you have assured me that you will protect me," Xavier responded.
"Indeed, without hesitation. Regardless of the type of force or enemy from the Plaros Solar System that will pursue you, I will defend and guard you with every last bit of strength and resource that I have," Samuel stated firmly.
"That's good to know," Xavier replied, with a hint of relief in his voice.
"But earlier you said that you could inform me of the contents of this box, didn't you?"
"That's absolutely right. But if I may offer my own counsel, I would wait another few years before making any actual decisions. But ultimately, of course, the choice is yours, and it's up to you to choose what you truly desire," Samuel responded.
"Very well, I have determined that I will take your counsel," Xavier acquiesced.
"Good. You won't regret it," Samuel said.
"Alright, enough chit-chat—more walking. Let's move," Xavier said.
"Yes," Samuel assented.
The two began to walk together side by side.
The second they walked out of the room where the enigmatic black boxes were, Samuel took it upon himself to slowly close the door behind them, ensuring that it was securely closed.
'Hopefully, these doors will never have to be open.'
They continued to walk, keeping the pace until they finally reached the area where weapons and critical papers had been put in secure places.
"Hey Samuel, what are all these equipment and paperwork? And why are they here?" Xavier asked.
"Most of these various weapons and important documents were your father's, Michael Cross, to begin with. We are storing them here for their safety and preservation—so they do not end up in the hands of individuals who will use them for destructive or evil purposes," Samuel answered.
"Dad, huh? But do you know how to open these glass cases?"
"I do," said Samuel.
"Gee, really? I was in a bit of a bind since there are no keyholes or vial holes in these glass cases, and I was wracking my brain over the problem of how best to get them open."
"Vialholes?" Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. It's certainly simpler to say that than 'holes where vials are inserted,' don't you think?"
"Why can't you just refer to them as ports, or perhaps receptacles—or even slots?"
"Hmm. you're right. Let's refer to them as slots because they're much simpler to understand and easier to remember," Xavier concurred.
"In any case, Samuel, open these glass cases for me will you?"
"I'm sorry but I can't." Samuel said, shaking his head.
"Huh? But didn't you just say that you actually can do it?"
"I am able to, but I will not."
"But why not?" Xavier asked.
"The reason is in the causes that I explained to you earlier."
"Ugh. This is so ridiculously annoying. Okay, fine."
"However, I will permit you to select one weapon that you would like to open and let you keep it, and one document that I will choose, which you can read," Samuel explained.
"What? You really mean it?" Xavier asked, skeptical but excited.
"Yes," Samuel nodded.
"Hell yeah!"
"I've made up my mind, I'll take that dagger!" Xavier exclaimed, pointing to the beautiful dagger that had caught his eye the second he stepped into the room and saw it.".
"Hmm? Are you referring to that dagger? Are you certain about this? I need to make it very clear that once I have given it to you, I will not allow you to change your mind regarding your decision," Samuel said.
"I'm one hundred percent certain!"
"Very well then, if this is really what you want," Samuel responded.
He approached the dagger, walking slowly as he went towards it. Upon reaching it, he laid his right hand over the glass case that covered and protected it. The glass containing the weapon gently glowed with a faint green light that seemed to emanate from within. In the next moment, as if by magic, the case's lid opened by itself without assistance. With resolve, Samuel reached in and gently withdrew the dagger from its protective encasing.
"Here," he said, holding out his hand to offer it to Xavier, who accepted it willingly, a smile breaking out on his face.
"Tha—whoa!"
Thud
The dagger fell to the floor with a loud thud.
"Damn, this dagger's much heavier than it looks," Xavier said.
He bent down and once again picked it up.
"I'm starting to regret my choice of this dagger. It's way too heavy—practically useless in hand-to-hand combat. By the time I would've swung it, the enemy would have already turned me into mincemeat. What a disappointment," Xavier lamented, shaking his head.