There were many things Sturm mentioned that were worth note, but there was one to Kaiser that stood out the most. "Oblivion?!" Of course he'd heard of it; for one thing, it was a central concept of a fairly popular cult. Naturally he was interested in any other worlds, as the potential for finding treasure was unlimited, especially if objects or material that was mundane there was rare in this world. But he'd heard nothing before to suggest that Oblivion was more than just a fabricated religious concept. His opinion of religion was very low in general anyway; if it wasn't for the fact that most myths and legends are based in a religion, he'd just as soon have nothing to do with them.

Once he got over that concept, the rest hit him: Laboratory, Oblivion, guardians of the world, fighting against corruption...just who is this guy? It was sounding like just by being associated with him he risked getting involved in a huge mess--but that was nothing unusual for him, and if he survived he would owe the man his life, after all. He may have been a carefree person (or at least used the persona of one) but he couldn't just ignore something like that.

The only part that bothered him was the way Sturm seemed to think nothing of removing Shin's memories just because it was more convenient that way--he may not always see eye to eye with the Tenken, but he didn't the guy deserved to have mind messed with like that.

It was a lot to think about, but he didn't have much time to form real cohesive thoughts on a lot of it--and it may well not matter anyway. He pursed his lips and attempted to whistle, but in his current state failed miserably. "Well, now you got me hoping you can fix me up; it sounds like things aren't going be boring around you."

He was ready for...whatever it was they were going to do. It wasn't as though it could be worse on him than anything else he'd done today.

"In the best case scenario, you'll need to get used to insomnia," replied Sturm to the notion that nothing was boring around him.

It was true, too. There was not a dull moment in the man's life. Simultaneously, there was not a moment of rest, either. He always had something to do, and given his busy schedule, the deadlines he set for himself were both necessary and unrealistic--but it was the only way to get things done. As a result, Sturm had the physical side-effects of long term insomnia, so much that it may very well have shortened his life span significantly. Without sufficient rest, the body would wear itself out to death eventually.

Outside of Galaens, tree cover made for great shadow casting. In the night, it was impossible to seem them, slowly sauntering out of the township, while the rest of the citizenry was gathered up within--in a much, much more humane way than they had been before. Sturm prefered this type of place--a place where no one could see. It was one last flash of memory that would have to inevitably be erased. If he could make them all forget, he would have; that was the humane way to go--but Kaiser, Usurii, Remington, and Fenix had to remember--even Shin did, to a certain extent. Being humane would have to wait.

"In any case, I first have to issue my condolences. I try to alter the lives of bystanders as little as possible, but for you and your companions . . ." Sturm noted aloud, somewhat regretfully--about as close to it as he could get, "If you had something good--well, this is the end of it."

This world is going to hell, and it's taking everyone with it.

Sturm had not left Kaiser the opportunity to respond. A sickening lurch would bore through his body, as within the shadows, both men blinked away--unseen, unheard, their disappearance gone unnoticed, and their lives forgotten.