MUTAN: project divinity -002 (Patreon)

i may draw portraits of them all.

002, he's known as studious person, learning many crafts, reading books. he especially reads up on philosophy, morality, ethics. just because he knows these things, does not make him moral nor ethical.

it only highlights his hatred for humans. all these sides of good and evil, all for nothing. the selfish man, as he puts it. thinking of humanity as deeply crude, broken, and built on a foundation of blood. he wonders why he was born from the hands of these people. why this way? in a fatalistic view, he knows the answer as it was always been. for violence.

the 3rd being of the project, 002 was in the between stages of the project increasing security, clamping down on their control, increasing their progress, and paradoxically  given him more freedom than either zero or 001 had.  between the punishment and strict surveillance of 001 for his past outburst, when he was attacking the humans so they would stop zero from being killed, 002 was only marginally given some of that treatment. they thought 'maybe we can control this one.'  things don't easily go that way. due to zero's intervention, 002 was shielded by the manipulative tactics they used on him, just like how zero stopped 001 from being manipulated the same. frankly, knowing how strong a superbeing is, the best course of action was through strict access of information, indoctrination, and all forms mental manipulation. knowing how it ends, these things failed to do their job, and 002 was against humans all the same.

002 had to combat tactics that would start a battle between 001 and 002. be unswayed by the attempts of appeasement (sugar coating) and sweet rewards for his 'loyalty' while showing how much mistreatment 001 was getting for being 'bad and disobedient'. they made a show of pinning them against each other. even when 001 was following all commands, all forms of training and acts of submission, they still found fault and isolated 001,  use weapons against him as a real means of damage, follow orders even outside of his purpose, like being a damn servant at the beck and call of greedy authorities.  while even if 002 were to actually make mistakes, they'd 'forgive' him, be kind, and do all sorts of things to make him question his reality. they definitely tried to instill these fears into him.

002 did his best and didnt let it get to him. as soon as the tactics weren't working, they would turn against him. it was never as bad as 001, but they were treating him with just as much scrutiny. knowing of the manipulation and actually experiencing it is two very different things. it was hard for 002 to handle.

as the other beings were created, the tactics started all over again, attempt after attempt to make each and every superbeing turn against each other, making it easier to isolate, indoctrinate, and control. 002 was seeing all this... and it made the pit of despair and anger grew a bit bigger each and every time.

he always questioned why, why me, why us, why you. being jaded like 001, 002 just did his own thing. following orders obediently while thinking all sorts of things on the inside. the effect of seeing what they did 001, lingered long after. even after 001 was no longer receiving this treatment, due to the advent of costs, the increased superbeings, and the slowly slipping of military control over them. especially after 001 disobeyed commands directly, and realizing the general punishments were not working, maybe never really worked, never was actually able to confine him.

002 felt compelled to do his job with little to no distractions, a perfectionist for the sake of protecting his mind. even if not much would happen to him if he wasn't diligent, it hardly changed him. it was a trauma that kept festering. coming back like a disease every moment he fights it.

all that kept growing was his hatred. among all the numbered, hatred was the combining force. they all had hatred. to the point where one can ask what their hatred means and all would have a unique answer to the same source.

002 had hatred for their hypocrisy and sins of playing god, not only with him, but with humans themselves. hatred for how easily they lie, manipulate, terrorize, and kill. he truly and utterly, hoped for humanity's downfall.

zero had hatred for the humans utterly ripping their autonomy. for the sheer existence of their creation, only to be so useless to their eyes with standards as ridiculous as their ego, zero had hatred for the core of their existence. the mere idea of their creation and death at the hands of these people, was something too deep to explain in words.

001 hated humans for the sake of them destroying life as a whim. for creating him, and trying to kill zero. what standards must one meet to have a choice in living? hated humans more when they decided that his actions were simply unacceptable, as if his sin was worse than theirs. the mere sight of zero almost dying was a moment he'll never forget. to rip his only friend at the time, who comforted him in his dreams, while teaching him how to survive on his own, who he never saw before, yet knew so well... its completely incomparable. morals? who would need them in a place where they don't exist. compassion? why would he give it, much less to a human that never  showed it in the first place. 001 had a strong but simple hatred, all they gave was more reasons to hate.

in that way 001 and 002 had an interesting relationship pre-freedom. it was strained but the acknowledgment that the system that they are in is the driving force, the wedge between them, it made it easier to relate to each other. and during the other numbered creation, there relationship fostered into a quiet resignation, just whenever they are alone together, they'll simply just exist. a breathe to take before they must put their walls up and get back to work.

since 002 experiences these tactics, it was easier, helping zero get the new members aware and awake for the up and coming battle of manipulation they'll face with humans. 002 was also the next most rational person, no matter how he felt, the practicality of the situation was more important, for the sake of all of their safety, but also for the sake of a bigger goal. to keep control of his emotions, 002 would attempt to be as rational as he can, refusing to let any fault get to him. its the only thing he can control for the longest of time. perfection. sometimes its a fault itself, making it harder for the other beings to relate or open up to him. 002 recognizes his ill fated knowledge of emotional relationships, affections, and vulnerability, both him and to the others. like 001, 002 is emotionally stunted. its a point of contention that takes along time to recognize, unfold, process, and learn from.

post freedom, these feelings that he hid, these issue of perfection, of shutting down, and being affected by the lingering fear of punishment, all slowly crack open. more like break apart but it takes a but before he has mental breakdown. 001 had it worse than 002, being much much more stunted than 002, and has a volatile nature that 002 doesn't have. 001 definitely explodes and strains his relationship with everyone. however at that time, 002 has experienced an epiphany, well after breaking down. he can understand 001 the best, even if both of them are the worst at love.

002 will realize that every. single. member. has trauma. and that sooner or later they all will break at some point. some more explosively than others. some will explode in a self destructive way, in a self esteem way, in guilt, in fear, in isolation. especially when 001 breaks, the one that everyone kinda relies on,  the one that does the most missions, that takes the most heat, and the one that has never cried in front of them (except for zero) they know it isn't exactly healthy, and at some point sees that 001 is breaking down, and begin to try to help him. 001 refutes it all, and even fights with them. its like talking to a wall. a nearly unbreakable wall.

it is until 001 starts to cry one day, and. couldn't. stop. it. 002 was the one that came across this situation, 001 fought 002, refusing the help. 002 gets emotional, they both start fighting, they stop, they cry, and they finally talk after a while. but 001 couldn't really speak, feeling like he can't actually, so 002 who is also struggling, takes the lead. and they just stay that way, very very quietly talking. nearly nothing and everything, till they just sit in silence.

at some point the others start coming in and witnessing this. 001 doesn't want them near him yet, which at least they listened.

he had a long talk with zero, the only person 001 has ever been emotional with, who tells him that it's time, that at some point, all of them grew close, an attachment that doesn't go away. and when you love somebody so much you notice things, you notice each other, and the desire to help isn't not out of obligation, but out of care.

(probably after a day or two)

so he comes back. slowly in the living room, they all begin watching tv, and one at a time, they join 001 on the couch.

for the second time 001 would cry. and he accepts being held for the first time. 002, who started this, would then just talk. talk like he never has before. and all them actually, have things to say.

that's all for now. this story ended up being a very emotional one, were each character goes through an arc. that the center of the story is not zero, but all of them. they have quarrels and arguments, and emotional moments, vulnerability and more. where they feel another emotion besides hate. its foreign, its hard, but they can finally process it.

all of them have unique relationships with each other and unique chemistry based off of the different things they like and overlap with each other. like how 001 and 002 like quiet time. 007 likes to play pranks and 004 likes the thrull, so they have lots of hijinks together. 007 likes to use tactics and so does 005, who is a strategist, loving when things finally come together, using any and all means to get there.

007 likes games, so does 004 and 005. 004 and 005 end up playing lots of shooter games, and since both of them are competitive, they have long drawn out bets.

004 likes to learn skills for the thrill, and 002 is very skilled. they often would train together, engaging in meaningful battles. while 004 and 001 would have all out brawls. zero loves to see it all and listen. 006 is a gentle spoken, animal enthusiast. liking nature. 003 is emotional and sensitive so 006 and zero themself are great companions for sweeter things. 003 and 002 are good cooks. 006 and 003 talk lots about animals.  006 and 003 and even 002 would argue on what tastes the best.  003 is passionate and can get competitive to defend his interests, so he squares up with 007 and 004. infact, sometimes 007 teases 003, since 003 is so easy to get a reaction from. however 007 likes to teach 003 about all sorts of things he learned. 007 and 002 have lots of arguments, and since 007 likes to tease, its very entertaining. both of them are smart, and can discuss philosophy with each other. though its a loud discussion. 002 and 004 have quieter discussions, talking about the best way to subdue enemies.

things like that.