《Broken Utopia: Episode One》


 Riddle

    Dust fell from the high ceiling. The throne room now swallowed by darkness once shined, brighter then any jewel found in the lands of old and new. A wise voice laid silent in the dark. Sitting in his elevated seat of power. Feeble and old as the walls that surround him, but still, his words echoed throughout the empty halls.


    Every movement calculated, an effort to save strength. Wrinkles and presence, the air of something more then human, that is what hinted at the amount his eyes had seen. Within the throne room four candles sat on the edge of each corner of the low stage as the pop of bones rung echoes across the air.


    "When you think of the world, what comes to mind? Greed, pain, madness, hypocrisy?" Faded grey eyes ventured to the ceiling as the speaker leaned back in his favorite chair. "One could only wonder how many would answer genuinely. Me?" His scratchy laughter bloomed before slipping into a cough, bringing thunder upon his halls, shaking the ground and air.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings."Who knows what answer I''d come up with," the old one rambled as he repositioned himself for comfort. "But one thing has become very clear to me. Their, that, and this world¡¯s rather ... consistent affair for irony will never fail to entertain me. How you ask?" His wrinkled fingers leaped to his chin. Tapping his withered skin and jaw slowly as he eyed the crawling darkness. "If something was born long ago, and it¡¯s only act through such time was to observe these worlds; from broken to fixed, from dark to bright, good to evil, and all in between ..." The man''s eyes fell consumed with intrigue. "Would you consider it alive?" After a pause of breath, the old one laughed again. "A taunting riddle, that one. But similar to it¡¯s kind, the answer speaks much louder then the words." He smiled, shaking his head as a hand covered his eyes. "And to think in my younger days, I cared not for such riddles."

 Dawn

    The sun took it¡¯s time leaking from it¡¯s pit, with half it¡¯s figure buried beneath, still it claimed brighter then any jewel. Four watched the sky grow in light from the patio made of old wood. Two with anxious smiles, and when the brightest jewel reached it¡¯s peak, it did nothing to disappoint.


    "It¡¯s beautiful," said Megan. Her scarlet hair blowing with the touch of wind. "It is," replied a serene voice. Megan glanced behind. "Look who¡¯s fallen asleep, again," the girl said with a tired smile. A palish toned man and girl leaned back against the home¡¯s walls past her finger¡¯s aim, the girl who seemed more in life drifting to the the man¡¯s shoulder as both remained in what looked to be a delightful slumber.


    "Good, they deserve a decent rest, as do you." Megan turned her head back to the sun, it¡¯s light still shrouded by the fading dark blue sky. "You should ¡­ get some sleep too, L-" Before the girl could finish her thought, she too had also found a well deserved rest, on Astral''s shoulder no less.


    After successfully opening the door leading into their room without waking a soul, Astral lifted Megan as gently as a feather, and slowly laid her on the bed placed in the room¡¯s back and center, before doing the same with other little lady. The room was big enough, three doors, one bed and four people. Though it¡¯s lack in size was never truly felt due to the fact that the number is never reached when night arrived, and often before as well. Astral went to shut the left open patio door, and as expected, the pale man was gone. He closed the exit tenderly before heading to the door at the head of the bedroom leading into the hallway. His grey eyes glancing once more at the two young woman with a smirk. The light finding their faces with ease, as the dark their youngest other. "Children," he whispered simply, then taking his exit as quiet as the wind.


    ?


    The youngest moved with purpose through shadows made by a spread of apple trees paralleled on both his shoulders. He was grateful to be out of the light¡¯s view. His eyes wouldn''t be able to endure much in transition, already slipping out of grey¡¯s grip while keeping his chin low just in case, and in time, returning to a casual black.


    He''d forgotten what he was doing, maybe he''d spaced out again for a while. But since his legs now trailed the ends and edge of the village, he had a good idea of where to proceed. The area he now roamed was much like a small forest, peaceful and near silent. The grassy path began from behind Ms.Clark''s home, he often wondered how such a nice place came to be. He drifted through here as much as possible, for different reasons. Sometimes he craved the quiet, the green, blue and red butterflies floating at their leisure. The way the trees smirked at him when he rumbled through thoughts and fears. Other times, he craved the peace, because everywhere else he was reminded firmly of the truth. He could feel the wrath of nature echo through the breeze, humane or no. But sometimes, more then some, even the apple path wasn''t enough to calm the mind.


    He avoided the light piercing through the branches and leaves above, firm cylinders stretching upon the grass in front of him. Mrs. Clark would give the three young ones a gift in currency for helping out in the shop every so often. Shiny things, large enough for most to fit in their palm. Astral pulled out three brown pouches from his bottom pockets, each with quite a bit of weight to them. If followed long enough, the apple path could lead one to many locations in Lafeya. Astral pushed open the dusty low gate protecting the residence. It is well known here that life can be rough from time to time for everyone, but without Mrs. Clark, Ms. Heather, and Mr. Washington (The three and only shop owners), Lafeya would crumble underneath itself. Even among children the fact holds true, and cannot be avoided. Even if their parents wish to hide it, our number is too small to even try. The obvious deep discounts for locals of the village, the often free food parents somehow obtained a week before pay, or clothing, even medicine. They do more then most, and deserve the respect they are given. And if any who grow too desperate and choose not to offer such, they are immediately corrected by the other adults.


    Astral crossed the aligned broken stone path and dropped one of the brown pouches on the back porch, returning to shut the gate before continuing on his way. A smile found his lips as a breeze appeared, bending his drooling hair to the sides of his view. A memory suddenly arrived in his mind, when he was found on the trail by his impatient sibling, and was asked why. Why, the way she said it, he could tell she was truly interested, but without the mask she so loved to wear. And in that moment, for whatever reason, somehow he took off his own, and spoke in truth from the depths of his cage. Did she believe him? He wondered. But one thing was sure, she could see through the act, which would undoubtedly be perceived as good, as kind to many. Knowing her, he wouldn''t be surprised if she knew it was done with complete reluctance, as if it was not his will at all, and not in usual form. That is who she really is, a frightful mind with unmatched instinct. Perhaps that was the day he saw her for more then the girl who liked to pretend, perhaps even a equal.


    ?


    The hours flew by before Megan opened her eyes again. It was clear to her either Crow or Astral wouldn''t be near the moment she noticed the covers were wrapped around her, soft but tight, as if a spider had just prepared dinner. She sat up slowly while rubbing her eyes.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident."They could''ve at least took a nap, especially Yaza," the girl said as her arms hugged her fluffy red pillow, almost identical to her hair. "I don''t think that was him," said a smaller, even toned voice. "Yeah, sometimes I can''t tel-" Megan whipped her head behind her.


    "SUE!" the girl yelped somewhat embarrassingly. "Morning," the girl replied. Her greeting came with a grin, wide and unexplained. "Red morning I see," she teased, explained. "How did you sleep?" Megan said, already changing the topic with her usual calm voice. Sue let out a yawn as her arms raised and limbs stretched. "Satisfying."


    "I doubt you would be satisfied if you died in your sleep," Megan muttered under her breath. Sue carried on, ignoring the comment. "And you?" Megan turned to the bright window across the room. "Surprisingly well."


    Sue also looked to the window, just beside the patio door. "Where do you think they are?" Megan pushed the hair from in front of her eyes behind her ear. "I don''t know. I never find the right time to ask Astral, and you know how Crow is," Megan said with a shrug.


    "Trust me, I do," replied Susan while leaning toward the edge of the bed to check the alarm clock. "I''d bet all the happiness in the world they have a way of watching us," said Megan with a blank stare toward the warm sunshine. Sue hopped off the bed and headed to the bathroom waiting directly ahead. The cold wooden floor digging into the bottom of her feet with every step. She moved in her usual lax motion while cracking her knuckles, likely to occupy her mind from the wood below. "Only a fool would go against that bet," she whispered while facing the restroom. "Especially if we''re including the dumb bird next to you." Megan gave a smile and started to play with the sleeping bird''s wild black feathers. She always found worry when waking to find it in bed, it was so small, like their brother it seemed far more peaceful asleep then awake, which tended to worry her even more.


    "I wonder if it helps, that we''re here I mean." A soft laugh left one of their lips. Sue stopped in front of the restroom door, staring to the floor while playing with her toes. "They''ve been active a lot more then usual. I think they''re guarding him from something, or someone."


    "But who?" Megan asked, still rubbing the bird¡¯s soft head. "I don''t know Mae," Sue said, her arms extending and dropping back to her sides. Clearly annoyed that the question again filled her mind without answer. "Something is changing," Megan added reluctantly. Although facing opposite directions, both held the same expression, and both forced the thought to the back of their mind, as if that would be the end of it. Footsteps patted the floor again before the door closed.


    Susan scanned the tiled floor and blue walls, both old but the quality of the material somehow still maintained. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her cloudy white hair and few black strands meshed beautifully with her smooth skin and grey eyes. At least that''s what Mae always told her, especially in their younger days. Always making her feel more pretty then she thought she was. Sue shared with Megan how her words made her feel sometime ago, and her response ... "Make sure the boy you like makes you feel the same. All the time!" Sue covered her face, just thinking about it made her cringe. Her fingers soon found the collar of her black sweater, which was long enough to cover her matching underwear.


    She analyzed herself for a long moment before turning back to the mirror. What is beauty? She closed her eyes almost immediately after thinking the words. "It''s too early for this shit," she muttered before starting the facet and splashing water on her face. After drying off with a nearby towel she reached for the door knob, but something caught her attention in the mirror. Slowly she turned, inching closer and closer to the glass, until it became obvious she was looking at her eyes. "No," she whispered.


    Her left eye was her natural grey, but her right now a chilled black, cloaking the pupil completely. With no hesitation she dashed out the bathroom and ran through the head of the room leading into the small hallway. When Megan''s head turned, fear took residence in her eyes. Fear and recognition.


    "Crow! Crow!" Sue called as she fled downstairs. The further she ran the weaker she felt, her vision already beginning to blur. After descending the stairs her legs grew wobbly, now relying on bouncing wall to wall to make way, the sound of glass breaking at her rear with each shift in weight. Thankfully the front door was well in her sights, egging her on with a glimpse of hope, and with the last taste of strength she rammed her shoulder into the exit while turning the knob, flinging the door open and her ahead. It would hurt, but still she thanked whatever had helped her make it out the house.


    Momentum carried Sue through the air until she met the hard ground, face in dirt without the cushion of her hands. She had no patience to even think of the dirt on her face. The world twirled as her arms shook in trying to raise and fail. She only had enough to sit on her knees as fear awoke from her bones with a smile.


    She mustered enough will to scream, so loud that it shook her core. "Crow!" She looked down at her hands with scratchy breaths, her fingers had lost their color, ready to crack like stone with nothing more then the strength of a touch. It crept up her wrist, whatever claimed she could no longer move. With a tight grip she grabbed her hand, commanding it to stop, repeatedly. The bulk of stone was already hard, and eventually her anger slipped into pleading. "It''s too late, it''s too late, please stop," she said while squeezing her eyes as tight as she could. Tears aided her fear, streaming down her cheeks as warmth embraced her firmly. Her whole body froze as she felt a heart beat against her back, she turned around and looked up with stiff movements, and the fear was gone, crawling back into it¡¯s lovely hole.


    Smiling all the same.

 II

    A large tree stood between two children. Both sat back against the all to familiar wall of oak while eying nature''s results. Today felt odd. A hint of something out of the norm cloaked the air itself, back then both shared their space without so much as one exchange in word. A fact that remained true for weeks as both returned again and again. At most a meeting in eyes before taking their places on each side of the tree, but today was different, a beginning of sorts. Astral could feel it, his small brown sandals dangling near the edge of the hill, where below a always sparkling lake waited with calm waves, stretching ahead as flocks of red and orange birds circled the body of water above. And at his right where squirrels, foxes and dear slept, and wandered upon the land¡¯s healthy grass just before the lake¡¯s beauty began. Here was a safe zone of sorts, a location where all were welcomed, regardless of what or who. A place Astral had deemed very interesting since his first visit, which was so long ago he could barely remember the details. At the body of water¡¯s center sat a isle of land, decorated with trees and life of it¡¯s own.


    "Hey," said the boy on the other side of the tree. Astral turned his head to the side, offering his attention. A breeze came. Blowing the branches above up and down as a trail of live and dead leaves leaped through the air, passing them down the hill.


    "When you sleep, what do you dream of?" Astral¡¯s sight slid back below. He''d lost interest in wondering why Angel repeatedly asked the question, and why he would wait three, four, sometimes seven visits to ask again.


    "Nothing," Astral replied, like always. "That sounds horrific," Angel added. Astral couldn''t help but give in to a short laugh. Across the water, past his then larger pair of footwear, a lone bird caught his eye, black and still. "What about you?" The boy also watched the water, wrapping along the land they sat upon. Though his side couldn¡¯t escape the sun¡¯s light, only the fall of leaves. "I don''t." Astral raised his chin to the cloudy sky. "How poetic."


    ?


    Susan laid sideways when she woke from her slumber, a oddity for sure. It was rare indeed she slept in such a posture, but as of now she thought nothing of it while assuming a issue developed with the bed. But she soon felt her senses scramble when noticing the subtle differences; no pillow, no alarm, no snoring, no light pulling her eyes wide from her left. Quickly she attempted to open her eyes, hoping she was mistaken. But almost instantly she grew reluctant, the light was now repositioned ahead. And it hit her hard, digging through her skull, momentarily blinding her right eye while also confirming her fears. It was real, and the side effects had already latched onto her withered body.


    A door opened and shut, footsteps began before a wave of silence took hold. Lingering a moment too long for comfort. "Is she okay?" Someone said in a whisper, clearly a woman. "She''ll be fine," said the young man. His voice stern but warm, always reminding her of the sky at it¡¯s calmest state. There aren''t many people that could make her feel so safe so quickly. But his was without doubt one of them.


    "No more excuses, Crow, you need to tell me why this is happening, now!" A stomp followed the woman''s low outrage. The one called Crow only raised his hands in surrender with half a smile. "I''ve told you, she''s just growing too fast."


    "She''s been unconscious for three days!"


    "And when she wakes, she''ll feel so refreshed."


    The woman cracked a small smile while still holding her look of worry. Letting a long exhale out as she eyed him up and down. "Crow," she said, rubbing her forehead. A easy tell when the woman was building on top her pile of stress. "Rakma, lend me strength. Oma my fortitude, you and your secrets are going to drive me crazy." A tear fell from under the hand that covered her strong blue eyes. "Just¡ªjust promise me something."


    "Anything," immediately the lone bird replied. "Be sure you four take care of each other. I won''t be here to worry forever." Crow eyed Ms. Clarke for a moment. Then lowered his head close to the posture of a bow. "Yes ma''am."


    "Good," the lady said while wiping her eyes quickly. "When she wakes, tell her to clean the room! Likely my end will be sooner with so much worry ¡­" she said while turning away. Without daring to glace at, or mention the almost spotless room, Crow simply kept his low form and closed his eyes, hiding the smile he would always wear when hearing her voice as the woman left the room shaking her head. "Damned children," she added aloud to finish her exit.


    Behind Crow led a unhurried applause. A distinct measure of space between every clap. "What a performance, she couldn''t have doubted a word," Susan analyzed. "Ms. Clarke! How would you rate such a showing?" Sue yelled, both hands around her lips. "Poor! No better then the bird¡¯s singing!" the woman replied from the kitchen.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Crow turned to the should-be asleep girl with squinted eyes. Failing to contain a smile, the oldest bird listened to the girl¡¯s unruly laughter while directing his stride over to the window. His gaze found the pure white clouds within frame, and just below the rising sunshine nearing it¡¯s peak, beaming from the sky. He waited a moment before closing the blinds with a tug and sway alone. "Thanks," the girl said as her eyes were finally able to escape the darkness without hesitation. Crow walked to her, the girl already in her routine to stretch away the rust that had gathered in her deep sleep. While also hoping her oldest brother had not seen her moment of weakness. When she felt comfortable enough to freely blink and glance around, she realized she was laying on the couch inside Ms. Clarke''s living room. She turned to Crow, his tone of skin identical to her own normally, which often caused her to wonder. Though unlike her own it never seemed to alter throughout the seasons, regardless of how often he roamed in sunlight. There is a connection between each of the them, but for awhile- no, over the years it was clear to Susan none were relatives truly. In fact, the more time crawled the more obvious the four shared a much deeper bond.


    Questions, some similar while many not, have always bombarded Susan¡¯s mind. Why hasn''t she asked Crow? Why was she so hesitant? Why did they all end with him as a dead end. Sue eyed her brother, he had wild black hair that curled at the ends, frequently wore dark colors, sweaters or long sleeves, mostly when his coat went missing, but how he loved to wear that damn long coat. Of course he would never admit to such emotions, not that Sue was sure he had many, and if he did the tone in his voice or facial expression wouldn''t convey the feeling. How or why he never broke a inch of sweat, she had no idea. You didn''t need to know him or look at his matching black bottoms and boots to understand he didn''t care for style.


    Crow lowered to take a seat on the hard floor with one arm laying on his propped knee. Sweater day I see. "The effects will wear off soon."


    "I know," Sue said while glancing once more at the closed blinds. "How do you feel?"


    "Like I deserve some answers." Sue held her eyes to the blinds with inches of sunlight slipping through the slim spaces. She didn''t mean to say that, her words had never came out without thinking like that. Maybe to someone else like Megan or Ms. Clarke, but never to Crow.


    The oldest bird breathed through his nose as he looked directly into her eyes. "Not yet." Sue bit her bottom lip as her glance to the window bloomed into a hard stare. Now out of all the letters in the alphabet, why would he choose such words? Not even a don''t worry, soon. Or even a request for patience. Crow remained quiet as time continued by, all the while Susan could feel her temperature rise by the minute. It felt like ten had flew by at least before he turned to her. And for a split second, his grey eyes grew cold, as if they were looking through her, evaluating every action and decision in recent memory. Why did her heart start to sprint? Why was she so damn nervous.


    The girl, a second too late tried to calm her shaky palms, which are never as self evident by the naked eye, but when given a purpose, had the tendency to fall out of control. Such as dropping dishes or missing targets easy as the stair rail before descending. It didn''t happen often, especially when Megan was nearby, but there were moments. And others that spoke to both girls in less then a whisper. Moments that called their intuition, telling them there are reasons why Crow and the other Astrals should be feared. Whenever Sue discussed it with Megan, they both could never put a finger on the warning signs, but they were indeed there. Sue actually started to regret the demand, but as always, she kept confidence written across her face. No matter how shallow the seeming ocean truly was. His expression caught her off guard again, transitioning into a soft smile.


    "You''ve grown to a fine young woman, haven''t you?" Before she could respond Crow stood, making his way toward the door her shoulder had burst through a few days earlier. "Wait," she called. He didn''t turn to her, but did pause. "Yes?" Her eyes lowered to his sleeves. Since today was the day to feel brave ¡­


    "Why are you wearing a sweater? It''s summer." The question wasn''t as clean as she''d hoped, and obviously, this wasn''t the first summer he''d worn such clothing, which probably told him she had been watching for awhile. But she had to admit, she was quite proud of her steady words. Susan crossed her legs and arms on the couch, patiently waiting for his answer. Crow''s head slowly turned until his body halfway faced her. A smirk crawled upon his lips. "Shrewd also? Impressive." Her eyes widened before falling to the wooden floor. Of course he didn''t give her an answer. Of course. But he did give her something. Something she will think on, long and hard. When the young woman glanced upward again he was gone. Not even the sound of the door opening or closing to warn her of his steps.

 III

    The morning after Sue awoke felt fairly slow. Crow sat on the roof of Ms. Clarke''s home, watching the dark sky hover over Lafeya. He opened the small journal he held with a careful grip, it¡¯s skin matching a ageless sand. Sue¡¯s question had been on his mind from morning to night and morning again. Thankfully so. He knew her and Megan sometimes hid their bright minds, her especially. And in some cases, the trait was just as true for friends as well as strangers. But her words yesterday, they were growing ¡­ in more ways then one, and quicker then he wished.


    His gaze lifted back ahead after watching the journal¡¯s blank pages fill without ink in hand. Although nothing more then a farm house when compared to any city of Idyll, and much less a capital, the beauty of this land was nothing less then overwhelming. The way sunlight grazed the lush green grass, the healthy oak trees stood at each corner of the village. Even if the number of crops grown each year was less then desired. There was something special about this place. No matter the time, it was always filled with kind people. No matter the burdens and hardships, they always stuck together. And because of that, some would see it as paradise. Especially compared to the outside world. Lucky or not, both were blind to one another. No one here really knows why or how. And Crow had noticed the young one¡¯s questions run dry about the topic some time ago.


    Crow lowered back to the journal, where newly written words painted it¡¯s old pages as he flipped through. His thumb rubbing across the unnatural writing. He liked when they surprised him. It gave him something to think about. He was aware it was just a welcomed distraction, even when he pretended it wasn''t. They had already surprised him so much by just existing, there''s only but so much left they can do. But the small things, they still hit him just as hard. The small black bird that usually kept one of the girls company slipped out the window below and flapped it¡¯s wings until perched beside him. Chirping, glancing at Crow then ahead. Back and forth. The little one didn''t have to go out of his way, he already knew.


    Crow closed the journal with a edge of a smile. Like always, these welcomed distractions didn''t last long. There were far too many reminders to keep his mind at bay.


    "So, today is the day." It was almost seven in the morning and he was starting to find himself a little worried. The other, much larger bird still had yet to arrive and things were already progressing. He let out a short yawn before slowly climbing to a stand. Why not take a stroll while he waited and the village still slept. He took a step, finding no surface below, and began to fall. The wind rushing upward against his face until his feet planted into the ground. Crow rose from a squatting position, and took a moment to scope the sky again, then proceeded to walk down the dirt road with his hands in his pockets.


    ?


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.While Crow took some time to himself, Megan also roamed as an early bird to start the day. Since everyone felt Sue needed rest, despite her shining personality when waking from her long sleep, the white haired girl ended up sleeping alone in the bed they shared for the night. The gesture wasn''t even planned or spoken of. Megan slept on the floor, wrapped in her own pair of blanket and covers, yet never once saw Astral or Crow the entire night, as usual. She made sure Sue didn''t have a fever after detaching herself from her trap of cloth, and made her way outside the room and downstairs. By the time she stepped through the front door, the image of Sue engulfed with fear had already began to replay in her head. Along with questions, so many questions. Too many to organize in mind alone. She glanced above, the sky still a muddy black, even though the roosters had long since gave their call. As she started walking her eyes lowered to a particular area of dirt. She envisioned Crow holding Sue in silence. Calming the scared girl after franticly raving.


    Megan¡¯s hands balled into fists. These were the final days she would allow ignorance be accepted. They had their way long enough. No more secrets, no more dodging, no more days wondering if today is the day. Her sight now aimed at her raised fist, which laid stretched open before she halted. Lingering for quite a bit of time, the center of her chest grew warm, and warmer¡ªuntil a blue flame lit around her fingers. It¡¯s heat singing a quiet hum of warning, down to the beginning of her wrist.


    A light laughter filled the air. "You have some nerve, little one," said the voice. Megan stiffened. She recognized the voice, but definitely not the owner. The young woman rotated, finding his eyes behind her. But he didn''t return not even a glance. His grey eyes only held her palm in sight, which melted the darkness effortlessly. A palm that just a second ago only held a subtle blue flared as it expanded in size, bending behind her like a wide tail of blue fire.


    ?


    As Crow walked through the soundless village, he took the time to view each stone made building to his left and right, whether it be seconds or minutes. Each one a annoying reminder of why he found himself in this situation. Maybe he was a fool. He looked ahead, feeling the pulse in his ears thumping over the light drift of wind, acting as a signal to guide his legs this far. Soon it¡¯s owner came within sight. The one he''d come to greet. It was a young boy, he wore black head to toe also, no hat, black bottoms, a brown coat just a few sizes too big and very familiar face. He was bent over organizing stacks of newspapers that laid on the ground near the fountain. At one time everyone used it as a meeting spot before the newer stores were built, children and adults since it stood at the center of the village. The boy turned around and greeted Crow with flair as if he could hear his silent steps. "Good morning mister, would you like a newspaper to start your day?"


    Even the voice. Crow took a quiet breath through his nose and lips, already beyond annoyed. Do not take the bait. Crow smiled as he sat on the stone seat next to where the boy stood.


    "Give me the juicy bits."

 Chapter 4: IV

    The flame burned well, but it lacked control. Only able to hold the form of a bending tail for no more then seconds, after, half of the structure of fire collapsed onto ground, sucking the air away from anything near Megan while doing so, herself included. Astral watched the crumbled tail burn, a piece still attached onto her hand and around her shoulder, still dancing as before with an odd amount of calm despite it¡¯s might. By the time his eyes had found the fallen flame and portion still linked to the girl¡¯s palm, any breath that remained had already left his lungs. And by then Megan''s eyes had gone blank, oblivious, though her legs had yet to give out. Without thought his body set in motion, but the effort was unneeded. Only after a step was made Megan, like the lower half of her elements collapsed. Both sections of flame becoming soundless air as a cloud of dirt rose above her still figure.


    Astral lifted her chin and checked her pulse the moment he reached her, a sigh in relief promptly following. "And she says we keep too many secrets." The comment came with a snicker. "Enjoying the scenery, little one?" Astral said as he eyed the girl in his arms.


    After some time, the puzzled Sue realized he was speaking to her. She stood eyes forward with a foot in and outside the doorway. Her confusion strayed to slight anger. The air around her spoke it, though still she stood quietly. "How much did you see?" he said as he faced her. Both their grey eyes meeting swiftly. "Almost everything," she replied with a too calm tone. "Almost? I see." Astral smiled as Sue¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    "Who are you?" It felt odd hearing the words aloud. His smirked vanished. Lips straightening just as much as his voice, eerie was the word that came to mind for her. His sudden shift eerily reminded Sue of Crow from the day before.


    "I do not answer to the weak, girl." Sue quickly tried to step backward, forgetting she already stood a step away from inside; her foot clipped the door frame, while late, she caught her balance fairly easy. Clumsiness was not the issue, what provoked her brow to tighten as she scanned her hands and legs. She was more so shaken by the way her body had reacted, again.


    Before, Sue had tore from sleep only after feeling the warmth of Megan''s hand across her forehead. But by the time her eyes opened, her sister had already shut the door at the head of the room. She didn''t know why, but something baited her not to call Megan¡¯s name yet. Instead, follow the girl, to where ever her trail led.


    So far, the destination was put on hold just outside their home. Sue peaked her head out the left open front door, making sure to check left ... then right, before forward. Megan was still forging the path, back to the door, head low beneath the stubborn night. Figuring enough was enough, she began to call for the girl¡¯s attention- until she came to a abrupt stop.


    Sue watched, wondering why the girl was just staring at her hand in the dark. Until it happened, dots of blue appeared from nothing upon her finger tips. Casting awe in the girl¡¯s large eyes as she pieced together what had occurred. With the feeling that she hadn''t blinked for minutes. Not aware that the next would flustered her even more. She closed her eyes, and within that, that fraction of a second; the air felt different, without comfort, and harder to breathe. What the hell had happened?


    As her eyes reopened, her jaw lowered. There fear and relief took over her mind while gazing at what Megan had created. The relief came from the fact nothing alive had touched it. She had never seen fire like that before. Fractions of the body slipping between blue and white. It¡¯s movements giving Sue the impression that it was alive. Where as her fear stemmed not from Megan or the flame, but the emerging Astral. Now standing directly in-between her and the indisposed sibling. Where he came from, she had no idea. But that was only a inch of the cause, his reaction, that was what made her heart skip.


    In a situation where death was real, or even the lone possibility, he did what not even a killer of dozens would have done. He smiled. That single act told her more about him, or whoever, then living with him, sleeping beside him, and eating with him for who knows how long. And that did more then scare her, that terrified her. Before she would have thought it was one of the other two, but now her mind had grown undecided. Who is standing before me? She questioned.


    When Susan woke from her day dreaming, Astral still had his back turned to her. For a moment silence was king. Disregarding her legs, her attention readjusted. This was her first time seeing anything unnatural with Megan. But unnatural it was, at the very least. What was almost just as, was that it seemed Megan knew the candle-like flame would appear before it happened. Sue was the first to admit she wasn''t an expert on any topic concerning majik, but by Astral''s continued silence it was clear something was off. In light of the topic, instead of Megan, her growing suspicion of Astral still out weighed the girl with red hair¡¯s interesting secrets she had kept close to herself. Susan would remind herself that a conversation would be had at a later date.


    "Did you know she had any control?" Susan asked. Astral eyed the sleeping girl. As if he were wondering about the same thing. "It is nearly impossible for a magi to use majik without intent, and that is after one has been taught how to use their gifts." Sue¡¯s eyes lowered to Megan in his arms. "That alone is it¡¯s own mystery. What came after, that should have never happened-not for a long time." What was that anyway? She had started to ask, but this was the first time one of him or Crow had given her a answer. No use in asking a question she knew would be denied.


    The red sunrise started to bring the sky to life. A much kinder blue growing brighter by the minutes. Seeming to put his questions to the side, Astral scooped Megan up in his arms and adjusted her into a piggyback position. "Come, it''s time we find Crow." Sue nodded, shutting the door behind her and jogging to catch up. She rubbed Megan''s back in a slow circle while watching the sunrise far ahead. "Does he know what you know? Can he Feel what you do?" she said, attempting to do the improbable twice in two days. Astral continued forward. "Is that the question you are owed?" Sue held her glare to the sun, forcing her body and eyes not to face him. "I only get one?" she said with a inch of innocence. Astral closed his eyes. "The boy sleeps. Just as you and I." Susan hesitantly nodded, slipping her hands in her pockets. His lips formed a smile, still a little dry from Megan''s surprise performance. "There¡¯s something I still don''t understand¡ª" A small voice spoke. Pulling both their attention. "What are we talking about?" Megan whispered. Both turned to the girl. "Just get some rest, we can talk later, when everyone is ready," said Astral.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon."Okay" Megan replied softly, while falling back into her dream state. Sue smiled as she ran a finger through Megan''s curly red hair. Already beginning to transition like fall to winter.


    ?


    The boy''s voice fit the appearance of a child. That alone helped Crow separate it from the original, and to be clear, the awareness was welcomed. Because head to toe, height and size, it was him. Although the boy¡¯s voice was child-like, when speaking the intellect could be recognized immediately. But in a different way then the boy he knew. What sat beside him held the kind that would more so fit an ageless scholar rather then a seven year old child.


    The two conversed on a few topics, matters frankly only they were aware of in Lafeya. The trembling balance between politics and blood thirst across Idyll and above. The growing outside factions spread deep in the freelands, the same that seemed to gain more strength and influence by the year, and could one day tip the scale when the inevitable future bended from near to here. It is well known to citizens just as those with power, and is connected directly to why so many choose not to use words such as change. Whether to not give the wrong individual ideas or simply deflecting the truth: that change in this world is absolute, regardless of when, and one day it will erupt throughout this static world of theirs. Above and below. Maybe conversation wasn''t the ideal term, in truth it was the child speaking and Crow listening in silence. But during their discussion on King Leo''s curious situation, he found himself confused.


    Up and down he scanned the outsider. Why? The boy had held his tongue for some time after not being bothered by Crow¡¯s lack of participation. But soon he spoke again. But now of a more present matter.


    "We¡¯ve waited so long for this day. Why not tell me ..." the boy said, tugging both ends of his coat and his head tilting. "How does he look?" Crow somehow wore a blank face, but couldn''t keep the side of his nose from twitching. Once was all it was, quick as a blink, but that was more then enough to give the child a smile. To tell him such effort was not for nothing, and Crow knew while watching his grin widen, just as he would a pile of manure. His thoughts shattered as footsteps approach from his left, the way he had come earlier.


    "It seems conversation has ended early," said the child, turning to the direction. Astral¡¯s eyes widened as he viewed the boy. "Crow ¡­" The man in black hesitated, but turned to the voice at his left. The sight of the little ones brought him back, like Ms. Clark¡¯s slaps on the wrist. He stood, walking toward them without offering another glance to the boy, whose smile slowly weakened.


    "You wouldn''t believe the morning we''ve had," Sue said while throwing her arm over a groaning but thankfully standing Megan. Conveniently blushing after hearing Sue¡¯s words. Crow smiled and laid a hand on both their heads. "Tell me all about it later." His voice was lower then usual. They noticed, but nodded anyway. He turned to the the one next to them. "Are you alright?" asked Astral with a rougher tone then the thin air seemed to expect. "I''ll live." Astral eyed him. "You are a fool," he added. Crow returned his eyes to the girls, both still looking up to him with interested eyes. "I know," he admitted before turning to the lone child still sitting on the stone bench. His eyes finding the two girls. "They''ve grown rather quickly. You must be proud," the child said before glancing to Crow, before quickly inching his sight to his right, on Astral with lowered brows. "May I ask who you are?"


    "No," he replied. The outsider placed a hand onto his chin. "Hmm, I remember the boy. But I do not recall him having grey eyes." Astral didn''t bother to respond. Only offering a simple look. One that did not share motive.


    "Not a talker, eh? That''s fine. Truly, but I must ask, do any of you enjoy riddles?" Crow and Astral replied with silence. Until now Sue had failed to understand why such tension soaked the air dry, but now it seemed her amount of comfort was fading. Megan grabbed her hand while still looking forward, the focus in her eyes somehow speaking, warning her the situation could grow dire.


    As the boy uttered his riddle, Astral began to prepare himself. The boy¡¯s chin lifting to the blazing red sky, as a poet would for flair. "There once was a family, adored and praised. It was common knowledge they held many secrets, some ancient as the holes that filled their sky. Plenty would kill to own one, while others would maim to hold none. Whispers say one is tied to the reason they began their hunts. A new thing to do or obsession, true. But they did not search high and low for trite prey as you."


    "Was it deer?" Sue interrupted blandly. The boy laughed as Astral scoped the sky, dark clouds were beginning to blind the rising sun. "I''m afraid this prey numbered no where as many. Finally, after time, the youngest asked why. The oldest claimed balance. Stewing the young one until unhinged, before vanishing beneath the quiet. Despite their differences the family begins to rush, now that death has spun, time for idle ticks now none. A truth, there is a time when prey grows a tooth. Tooth to fang that can open family veins. Reshape blood into fear, a future that draws near. Answer the first riddle: What do they fear?"


    Megan was reluctant, but spoke surely. "What all life fears. Death."


    "Is death not also apart of life? As such, what would death fear?"`


    "What cannot die."


    "Which is?"


    "The immortal," Crow answered blankly.


    "And what do you think the eternal fear?"


    "What can kill all," Megan answered with a whisper. The boy¡¯s sight turned to her. "What is the family?"


    "Deities," Susan answered. The boy''s voice strained until it resembled that of an old man.


    "What can eliminate even the Gods?" Megan¡¯s voice was just as low when she spoke. "What the prey becomes." When the boy¡¯s lips pressed into a smile a sudden shift blew in the wind, and darkness once again covered the sky. It grew clear to the girls that this was no boy.


    "What is the prey?"


    The silence in the air could have drove a scholar mad. Crow and Astral eyed the lone one calmly while Susan and Mae seemed lost in breath. Swallowing hard as the riddle¡¯s puzzle pieces started to clip together. His expression was totally blank. The boy''s voice remained of` old as he chuckled. "Run little ones, for as long as you can. Someone has caught whiff of your trail." At the very moment they heard his laugh each of them turned to the boy in an instant, but he was gone.

 Chapter 5: V

    For a stretch of time only the air breathed in form of a cool breeze. The quiet came as quick as it left before a frightening rumble coursed through the ground. Megan squeezed Sue¡¯s hand as both tried to keep balance. Crow and the one to his side, to Sue¡¯s surprise stood unfazed. He watched the young women as the fear they hid so well stretched it¡¯s limbs. "Take them and leave," Astral instructed.


    Crow turned to him with a slightly unprepared look. "We don''t have time to argue," Astral said as a slick accent emerged within the serene command. It was powerful, yet rhythmic to the ear, smooth but sharp, like a well sung hum. This was the first Susan had ever heard such way of tongue, and quickly she recognized how attracted she was to the way of word. Crow eyed Astral. Like he wanted to speak words that could not be said aloud. In return, Crow nodded without response, as if he could hear his other¡¯s unspoken thoughts. "Save your strength, fool. The boy will be fine," Astral confirmed as the accent began to fade.


    Crow nodded again, shutting his eyes and breathing through his nose. Astral glanced at the little ones with a smile. But before speaking his eyes widened and fled to the ground. Crow mimicked the act. "Fog ..." whispered Crow. "What''s wrong with that?" Sue finally uttered. Taking a step back, he watched the ground disappear and be replaced with a thick cloud. Crow swiftly grabbed Sue and Megan by the hand. "Where should we meet?"


    "East or west, it does not matter, we will find you." Crow¡¯s lack of approval was evident by the look in his grey eyes. But there was no need for Astral to clarify. Both felt their presence immediately, and with it a stench that grew more potent by the second. One unfamiliar to Megan and Sue. But to the other two, it was well known indeed. A cloaking spell too weak to mask the true odor, and because so the two started to twist and mend into one. Regardless of the intended sense, and what it became, what was clear and unmistakable was that it¡¯s origin was the smell of blood. Which usually held no whiff, but in large quantities and time, that thought was easily laid to rest.


    The girls covered their noses with disgust. The failure handing Crow memories of another time. It was the kind of smell that could twist the pit in knots. Ready to wring out lunch and dinner from the day before. Gradually the girls aimed their eyes upon the two in-front of them. Breathing in the tainted air like a welcomed fragrance. Astral lowered his view to the running fountain. "Go. I won''t say it again."


    "Wait, wait!" Megan and Sue yelled as both rushed to wrap their arms around the youngest of the group, and did so as tight as they could. "Don''t you die," Sue said under her breath. The girl was shit at holding back tears. Probably didn''t even know why they filled her eyes. "Never that," Astral replied. His hands rolling through their cloudy white and ruby hair. Megan stared forward. Quiet. "Take care of Crow," Astral said. "Always," the sobbing girl replied. Without warning hands pressed both the girl¡¯s shoulders, shoving the two in Crow''s arms, and by the time Sue¡¯s arm extended and Megan¡¯s sight returned ahead, the image of Astral¡¯s turning back was replaced with ab abundant amount of trees and long faded grass surrounding a dirt road. "W-what?" Susan whispered. Both her and Megan¡¯s heads jumping left and right, trying to understand what just happened.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.?


    With slow steps four images appeared within the fog, each from different directions. Two were large, abnormally so compared to the average man, the third more so the norm, the fourth slim, less then half the three others. North, east, south, and west they came, each deigning a variation of the same uniform aside from one.


    Two wore the face of a fox, one with horns and skin that leaned more crimson then autumn like the second. The third a wolf with gleaming yellow eyes. Both foxes'' chest laid bare with straps across muscles and skin, the only thing close to armor worn was the leather padding upon their forearms and shoulders which blend well with their black torn bottoms and padded knees while the wolf¡¯s leather stretched across torso to shoulder, fitted like a poor plate of steel above torn bottoms and still adorn padding on forearms and knee.


    There was a handful of irony in the sight, thought Astral as he watched the intruders glide through the fog. How little armor they wore to inspire fearlessness, yet not a inch of skin revealed above the neck for their victims or enemies. How convincing it was. Each neared the fountain. Like the attire, all but last varied in weaponry. The first fox walked with a blade almost as thin as a needle low in hand, the second two axes sitting hip-level. The wolf two with limbs of silver upon back, fine blades no question. Even in the fog they blinked with quality and edge. One of the three¡¯s utensils had already been painted by the flamboyant odor. A blossoming red ran up and down the fox¡¯s blade. The other two stood empty handed, their weapons waiting with patience for their inevitable call. The fourth ¡­ It did not take long to learn the last was detached from the others. Instead of a face of nature a mask was worn, with long black hair draped behind. Instead of skin or leather, a coat the shade of night reached ankles. Something about this one rubbed Astral differently from the rest. This one was much more convincing. Likely outside aid.


    The water from the fountain swayed into the background when voices appeared. A detail he noticed as his hands continued to rest in his pockets. It has been a long time since he¡¯d found himself in such a predicament. Too long. Surrounded, with no allies on the way. One of their heads turned to the side awkwardly.


    "He is different," spoke the wolf.


    "Quarry?" asked the autumn fox.


    "It is likely," said the first.


    "Then why destroy the village?"


    "It matters not," the crimson face intervened.


    All spoke but the fourth, who seemed to be just as observant as Astral. Beneath the mask eyes wandered up and down him. He could not see the pupils, but he did feel them. Their voices were dark and hollow, as real as their faces made from the dead. The slim one raised a gloved hand to where a chin would sit beneath the mask.


    "Boy, why are you the only thing alive in this village?" Like the others, the fourth hid their voice. Astral closed his eyes, his body language must have told them he was far too comfortable in the thick of fog by the ever growing tension holding down the air. "Because It is woven," the boy said with a snap of his fingers. One by one they faded, each building of stone, the farms, the sleeping smiles, the animals, every oak tree and healthy cut grass, all vanished, an entire world in the blink of an eye. A few of the intruder¡¯s heads slowly turned. Close to nothing remained of the once prideful village. Only the decaying grass they each now stand upon and the fog that had somehow thickened, cloaking the isolated area. Once more, allowing silence to reign as king.

 Chapter 6: Hate & Love

    Now, something that could and could not be seen, or felt, was missing. The hobbled feeling followed by an uncomfortable drift carried by the wind. None moved, what emotion or thought running beneath leather and face remained hidden from searching senses. They were well trained, easily more then common bandits or soldiers. But even still their eyes could be felt, he could feel them. Tossing left and right, at the very least to confirm what had just occurred, what he had willed so simply. Astral aimed his grey eyes to the fourth, slowly lowering his hand back in his bottom¡¯s pocket, but only inches of change was needed to inspire a tightened grip on the sealed trinkets sitting on the hip of the wolf and fox. While the first, already with a blade unsheathed stood firm with the last faceless figure.


    "What kind of trickery ... what kind of majik?" said the autumn fox at Astral¡¯s left, whose tone leaned more in the direction of curiosity then fear. Even still, the words brought a grin to the trickster¡¯s face. He knew that truly there was only one composed in this odd predicament. Even the less then half the average man, and more convincing intruder tensed slightly when his hand moved.


    "Do you mind conversation?" The words stood out in the pale air. Blunt and diligent, while hollow as the rest. Astral¡¯s brow rose. "Not at all."


    "What is your name?" the most interesting out of the lot said. Astral¡¯s eyes flipped right and left. "I cannot answer."


    "I see."


    "What of you? What title do you claim among your people?"


    "Eden," the slim intruder replied. The three separate figures inevitably moving to the words¡¯ owner as a king bends his kingdom. It seems I am not the only one who has learned something new. "You say this village ¡­ hidden away from the foundation was weaved by one boy?" Astral returned his eyes to the now named individual standing more then a couple steps ahead. "At one time the land did exist, along with it¡¯s warmth. I simply re-imagined it."


    "I¡¯ve never heard of such advanced illusion majik where the touch of sun can be imitated," Eden said. Astral snickered, shaking his head. "Nor have I, for a time what you saw was quite real." A pause appeared in their exchange in word. Maybe because his words were not believed, or could not. Or, evidence of a simple tide curving, instead of pressing fourth like neighboring waves was the case. Regardless, soon Astral spoke again, ready to continue the discussion as he found himself more entertained then he imagined himself upon their arrival.


    "Why are you here, Eden?"


    "I expected you to ask who gave our orders."


    "I did." Eden¡¯s mask lowered for moment, raising again when word seethed again. "To eliminate all life tainted by unregistered majik within the region." Astral raised his chin within the withering fog, now nearly moist against his skin. His eyes swiftly finding the doused blade in the hand of the fox. Tainted?


    "I must ask, were you alone? Aside from what was ¡­ re-imagined."


    "No," the boy surprisingly said. "But the village and majik you''ve come to burn is already no more."


    "Your asking for us to leave without altercation." The trickster returned his sight to the interesting intruder ahead. "Further altercation. Enough life has been wasted, anyhow." Eden hesitated, "that depends."


    One of the four began to fidget after those words. The sound of grass crunching grazed ears as a foot inched further away or closer. which, Astral could not discern. Frankly, he was surprised the others had even allowed the conversation to grow this fruitful without interruption. "Are the others that fled like you?" The boy¡¯s eyes moved forward again. "If I answer that question, then bloodshed can not be avoided."


    "Not too fond of lies I see. You may be right, but you being here already answers my question, doesn''t it?" The trickster sighed. "Though, I believe something can still be worked out-"


    "Enough," spoke the hollow voice from Astral¡¯s right. "You have been allowed to speak out of courtesy, but your time is up." Eden raised a gloved hand passively while still facing the surrounded. "It seems our conversation is coming to a end."


    "It seems so."


    "Join us. As of now I speak for the largest organization regarding majik in any plane. With strong ties to the worlds of old and new. You and your people would be safe and treated well." The autumn fox who had stood quiet for some time gripped one of the wooden handles with enough strength that blood flowed from contorted palm, blanketing blades of thin grass below. Ignoring the act, the conversation continued. Outside aid then.


    "Thank you, but I must decline." Eden gave in to a humble laughter. "As I thought." Astral''s eyes flipped from the stained blades before his final question. Forcing his brow and jaw to harden with his eyes. "Eden, will you be going after them?" The way the lone voice said the name gave off the impression the two could have been friends for years. And with it the air¡¯s tension molded into what felt like a scale, the following paths being chosen by the following response. The heavy scale could not be felt by all near, but it¡¯s existence couldn''t be denied. Eden breathed. "I would enjoy battle with you ... but there is more pressing matters that must be dealt with." One could swear a voice sighed in relief behind one of the five masks as Astral, with appreciation written on his face smiled. "Thank you, trul-"


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there."My Apologies, Eden," said the intruder now intervening at Astral¡¯s left. Prompting Eden to turn away from the cornered boy. "For?"


    "I believe your interest in bringing them to the Magistrum holds true, but you do not speak for the titans of Greyharbor. Our orders are clear, him, and anything like pose too great a threat, and are to be eliminated. And until otherwise, we will continue on until our objective is complete with swiftness."


    "I am aware of your orders, Vincent, but that does not mean a discussion cannot be had."


    "But it does. Our existence is to provide safety to all in our borders, and nothing comes before," said the voice of power held by the Red Fox. He and Eden seemingly holding stares before the masked one exhaled, now the once welcoming visibly fighting to keep composure underneath it¡¯s breath. "They pose as great a threat as they do allies." No matter how composed, a hint of anger still bled into the air, even through the facade of a voice. Like their eyes, Astral could feel it, likely just as the others.


    "As any of our enemies. Again, apologies, but your opinion has been overruled three to one. You may take your leave. Your reliability at this moment must come into question," the wolf behind Astral said as the fox began to turn at his right. Joining the wolf¡¯s side, his back now facing Astral¡¯s as the declaration was made. "I would rather watch," said Eden. "As you wish," the titan mumbled while whipping his blade clean to his left, and raising it slowly into the air.


    "With clarity, I speak to the strongest above, I speak of the level of danger that is or could prove toward our homeland. I, Vincent Carter III hereby declare the third article of Davith upon all survivors of the village of Lafeya. All able titans must and will immediately eliminate the threats if able or on sight." The hollow voice faded into a man¡¯s as his words were spoken. But like the hollow coat, something else covered his lips. And the air sung because of it, growing thick until a pop flew wide. A crackling noise that made the ear twitch. A signal. A message. The air quickly fell back to normal, but the calm appearance of the fourth could no longer hide the anger within. Whatever had just occurred, Eden did not expect or wish it. "You two deal with the blind magi, I will hunt his allies. If I were to guess, none of them wield his level of strength."


    "What makes you so certain?" the titan to Vincent¡¯s side said. "Why else do you think he is alone?" The cry of steel swept ears as the titan to Astral¡¯s left let his dormant axes free. "So this may be our greatest chance to strike-"


    "Before any become like him," Vincent finished as he began forward. But among those intended steps, with space gained between he and the wolf, the fox came to a halt. Eden stiffened.


    For a moment Vincent was unable to move, each attempt bloomed a jolt of pain that went rampant through his core. As if a foundation was cracking. His vision blurred close to immediately after taking that step. And when his chin lifted, he could feel something wet leaking out of his mask. Seconds after, when his vision began it¡¯s return, fear surfaced. All in view was the eyes owned by nothing humane. A boiling yellow and rose red swirled in each eye. As blood flooded the ground, Vincent''s stare still connected to the one before him, who let a grin form with his lips, sending a chill through the air in seconds. The speed it moved with ... was close to, if not blind to the naked eye. Eden¡¯s mask lowered, eying Vincent''s impaled back, and half of the magi¡¯s arm that laid still after piercing through.


    "You should have listened to her, Vincent. Now tell me," said the grin¡¯s owner as he grew closer to the frozen titan before granting a whisper in his ear. "Do I still resemble any magi?" Vincent tried to put some sort of words together, failing, only able to weave harsh noises with his brush of paint. But before the painting was complete, the arm was ripped out the center of his chest, and with it, the man tumbled in what seemed a ever growing puddle of red. Meanwhile already, it¡¯s eyes were set on the next prey.


    "I didn''t think so."

 Chapter 7: II

    This-this is what fear feels like. Isn¡¯t it ¡­ Leha? Eden¡¯s sight lowered to a hand hidden beneath black leather, it was shaking, and there was little to no control. No wonder sister hated this feeling. She said it quite frequently in the past, before I came of age, and grew a will of my own. Each time aloud, so her siblings nearby heard clearly. Which they were, allowing her words to seep deep and well into their mind.


    Eden¡¯s mask aimed forward, to what stood midst the damp thin air. How long was unclear, but for a while time felt lazy, crawling to a standstill as both set of eyes had somehow met. A second after it returned and his sight shifted toward the titan between them. Who? Eden wondered allowed their presence to show.


    A roar came from the hollow voice at Eden¡¯s left. "Vincent!" The name echoed clearly, falling from ambiguity to humane. The titan turned to the boy with rage hanging on his breath, posture bending slightly over while holding both weapons in a wide and wild stance, facing the eyes across which glowed like a lantern within the fog. Below, the grin only widened.


    The two stood still as time did moments before, and for every passing second the thirst for blood continued to grow. And as it peaked, the large figure dashed through the depths of the fog with impressive speed, but halted after several steps as a cloud of air cleared above the boy, revealing the third also with the glow of light for eyes, the wolf swinging it¡¯s blades into a vicious horizontal strike. Less then a breath¡¯s way from decapitation, the magi ducked near instantly into crouching position. Still low, his body rotated into a sickening spin, each finger extending tightly together as he swung his arm also in similar motion as the blade before, separating the halted fox¡¯s legs and torso.


    Every motion was felt. Each finger carving through the padded leather, to the skin, tendons and muscles tearing inside the thigh, to each pitch of the scream, reaching for higher and higher chords. The titan¡¯s arms never stopped moving, reaching and reaching for air in mid flight. Eden (and the falling wolf) watched the legless man hit the ground like dead weight. The wolf soon after on it¡¯s side. Blades clinking across ground as both Axes before. Quickly watching the struggle became unbearable. Slowly the boy walked until he stood over the titan, pressing one of his dark boots on the neck of an already sure dead man, his mask now cracked in half, showcasing faded blue eyes aimed to the hidden sky, seemingly already shrouded by darkness.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.Eden as well as the wolf looking up from the the ground quietly eyed the boot. Their eyes never swaying away. "Does regret run with your blood, titan?" The boy spoke with a entirely different accent then before, harsh and sharp as a knife to the throat. Along with words, slowly he added more and more pressure, the urge to shatter the titan¡¯s throat portrayed upon his face. Would he really go so far? Eden assumed he wanted to, and knew he could. But still, for whatever reason he chose not to. Pulling his foot away before the fox¡¯s breathing had ceased.


    His unnatural eyes moved again, finding the now still body steps away. The titan and Eden kept their masks on both bodies, one of the small red lakes forming a slim river, steadily making it''s way toward Vincent¡¯s empty shell. The last act must have touched the wolf especially. As Eden he looked drowned in thought, especially when it¡¯s helmet shot forward late, finally noticing the magi¡¯s boots stood now only inches away.


    The wolf raised it¡¯s chin. Both arms now swirled with dark red lines, each sliding down past forearms, dripping non-stop from his fingertips, gathering near it¡¯s fingers below. Two red marks streaked down his left cheek, starting right below the eye, there was no chance this was the first time his skin was covered with so much blood. "Your comrades held the will to even kill children without hesitation. Do you carry that same obligation?"


    The titan''s grip searched for blade as it tightened, but a kick was all that was needed to send the closest weapon flipping across dirt and grass. All while a glare was formed and aimed above. "If it means protecting our families, our history, our pride, then yes ... yes I do." The wolf said with her true voice, which before held such confidence and intimidation, now only reeked of fear ¡­ but not lies. Astral¡¯s face held a disappointing look about it. "How foolish," he said as one of his blood covered arms lazily reached downward. The titan didn''t move away, as if she were suck to ground, not even reaching her hands for her second lost blade. Death was evident, but at least she would die protecting-no, at least she would die standing for what she believed in. The arm came to a stop, followed by moving eyes. The heat surging throughout his body was visible as a new look appeared, one formed from quiet anger.


    "What do you think your doing?" the boy said in a low harsh tone. The wolf blinked, hesitantly following the magi¡¯s eyes. There now dirt staining her black bottoms and dark coat, was the fourth intruder. Eden, kneeling to the boy with her mask off, laying within the blades of grass and dirt.

 Chapter 8: III

    The once heavy fog took it¡¯s time before finally beginning it¡¯s lift, revealing dark clouds on both ends of a falling sun. How jarring it¡¯s light was, a untouchable orange between walls of darkness, and bathing the girl¡¯s black hair below, held in a ponytail that swayed slightly as a gentle wind appeared. Lone leaves flipped across one of many slim streaks of red that still continued in their crawl, now passing boot and knee. The owner of the grin worn only by kings felt the boy¡¯s heart react, fluttering in a unnatural dance and beat. Resisting the urge to grab his chest, Astral¡¯s glowing eyes lowered to the maskless: her hair a potent black, her eyes like it¡¯s shadow, hiding away a irregular darkness. Something burned within them, a rare find throughout his unending time. He wondered if she was aware of it.


    The girl lowered her head as quick as her knee met dirt, and was more then hesitant to raise her sights. "If you will hear me, I ask that you spare her life." The words indeed came from the girl, her interesting eyes still attached to the soaked patch of grass behind the magi.


    The anger in the boy¡¯s face had now completely vanished, as if he had been drawn to different priorities. "Get up," he ordered. The girl only shook her head, resolute in declining. A exhale was heard from above, by nose and lips, soundly portraying his prickling patience.


    "You know who I am." The girl glanced forward, inches above the grass for a moment, no higher then his knees before lowering again. She nodded. "It is a honor."


    "Yet still you bow," Astral said slowly, pronouncing every syllable. Eden did not reply. And she didn''t need to. His eyes laid on her bowed head, then shifted to the titan, who¡¯s fingers only continued inactivity. In the same breath, Eden raised her eyes again, feeling the boy¡¯s attention shifting away from herself. He could hear her heart beat now. "If you will allow me to explain why-"


    "Your reason means nothing," the boy declared in hushed tone, and with it her eyes fell low again. The boy examined the titan, his eyes still as stone yet invading as illness. Waking a baiting silence while doing so. Then, his calm tongue grew alive again, after taking a step closer so that his sight neared the head of the figure¡¯s mask that still hid most features. Only an eye and fair skin could be seen, the brown eye gazing, waiting for what future she held near.


    "No matter where, no matter when, if a hair is touched, the end will begin. Nod if you understand, titan." The wolf underneath the sudden fickle armor and mask obeyed.


    "This will be your only warning. Relay that trinket to your leaders." The titan¡¯s chin only moved no more then a inch. And the boy¡¯s sight flipped back to Eden as her head now raised higher then before, both finally meeting eyes clearly for the first time. "My actions will surely come with conflict."


    "I will stay with him until he wakes. Thank you." The boy¡¯s eyes began to fade, slowly sliding back into a solid black. As such the air mimicked the act, losing it¡¯s weight and calming at the same pace. "Until we meet again, young Eden."


    "Until then," she replied, but by then the boy was on his knees, and Eden was rushing forward to break his fall.


    ?


    While Megan and Sue tried to keep pace with Crow''s polished speed-walk, Sue''s eyes focused plainly on a family of birds, each sitting next to one another in a row on a high tree branch in the distance. She pointed a finger toward them, "Crow, what kind are those?"


    "What makes you think there are more then one?" The girl¡¯s cheeks grew puffy, and Megan placed a hand on her own forehead. "Ten seconds." The way Crow turned behind to reveal his smirk hinted at Megan¡¯s glance into the future. "Haaaah? Do you not know how many different kind of animals there are?" Sue said as if blindsided. "Lions, tigers, snakes and plenty more, and all of them have others. There''s a snake called a Cobra and- oh, Astral said there''s such thing as a lion with white and black fur, just like my hair! He said it sleeps a lot just like me too ¡­" Megan¡¯s mind wandered as her sister rambled on. Her body already feeding on the energy in her voice. She glanced to the girl as her arms grew wide while detailing a beast. A smile on Crow while nodding in return. She''s contagious when she gets like this, and she is never like this, unless it is needed.


    "Why do you always go back to the lion? You don''t even know if it exists." Megan knew her words wouldn''t dampen Susan¡¯s resolve, and it did not in the slightest. But the way Sue''s face twisted in response did kind of scare her. But just before her rant had began, Megan and Crow¡¯s eyes met briefly. His mood had changed, telling that he had also glanced into the future.


    While the war of the drowsy lion¡¯s existence went on between Sue and a cautious Megan, Crow''s senses sharpened, scanning every new inch of air and dirt nearby as their legs continued on. The three had actually been walking down the never-ending dirt road longer then expected, roughly two hours Crow concluded by the unhindered blue sky.


    At first his mind fell on who he had left behind, his sense of direction clogged with waning time. But such thoughts were never shown on his stoic face. And soon were forced out to be replaced with the unending hows and whens, who''s and whats. Then came action. He understood the outside world of Idyll was still a cruel place, even if temporally stagnant in the realm of imperial warfare. Having no food, no coin, no place to sleep and lack of information meant death undoubtedly. And they had all the above, and more.


    Quickly Crow raised his hand in a fist, signaling the two behind to cease all movement and noise in case danger grew close. One of the many things Crow taught in the small village before the undeniable day they would venture past the crops and trees. Sometimes Crow could feel that day draw closer and closer, the outside world seemed to begin calling the girls almost the moment they were born. Their small eyes leaping to the window to no end. Hours upon hours they would spend exchanging wild ideas or creating what if scenarios after reading a book together he''d brought them after trips away from the village. From queens to knights, cities, and of course animals, he''d listen as they wondered and imagined. Of course now that they are here, outside, all he felt and heard from them was controlled adrenaline at best. Or perhaps, it could be something else? Something he''d rather not think about.


    Voices rung his ears, down the coming left turn. Hopefully friendly, going by the ruckus and shuffling steps there were seven set of lips at least. "Never step three feet from me." He glanced to them. "Understood?" Both nodded, their fallen smiles hinting the amount of weight his words carried.


    Crow¡¯s walk slowed as he began the left turn. That among other alterations. "E-excuse me, would you mind pointing us to the nearest town?" The voice of the oldest was not the same as time past, different, no longer soft, but fragile, weak, as was his new posture which bended reclusive. Why is he stuttering?


    A bald man wearing what looked to be very expensive clothing, the kind only those with room inside a spacious castle could afford in the stories Sue and Megan used to often read. He turned to face him while petting one of two brown steeds linked to a carriage. His eyes quickly finding and looking to the girls at the voice¡¯s rear up and down, and for a little too long to be justified. After, he turned to Crow with a smile.


    "Of course lad, in fact, I may have enough room in my carriage for company." Crow looked around, to the carriage most. The voices he heard were no longer here. "You are too kind, sir, but directions would be quite enough," Crow said again in that irritating voice. Is he afraid of something? Sue wondered, looking at him with mild confusion until Megan grazed a finger on her hand, then making a fist behind Crow''s back. Why would she-she¡¯s telling me to stop ¡­ Sue swiftly lowered her eyes before glancing again to Megan on her right, who didn''t look much worried at all. Meaning again, the youngest of the three fell behind her two siblings. Somewhere in the darkness of her mind, she asked why she said two instead of three, and offered reason only to calm her growing thoughts. He is different, that is all.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.While in mid-thought, she made effort to adapt while containing to watch her sister. Each way based on a hunch, and influenced by Megan¡¯s intentions. Gradually her ways mimicked the oldest, posture, lack of eye contact, unending hesitation. Megan could only smirk briefly at how stirred her pride became. Crow was aware of what had occurred, but kept his emotions to himself.


    The bald man took a few steps forward, holding his clasped hands at his nose. "You know lad, where I''m from it is not wise, or healthy to deny a politician." Crow could feel how confident the man was in how this would end. With every thoughtless action: how high his chin stood, how far his chest reached while wearing a aura of invincibility above that ridiculous red and gold robe. "T-thank you for your time, but I think we''ll find our own way." The stuttering man turned after speaking, and not to his surprise, four men clad in red leather stood behind the girls. Blocking the path which they came, and the right turn they should have made instead. Crow shifted back to the politician, where four others now made their way to his side. Likely hiding in the carriage. "You heard the polite man, we will be handling your protection." The one who spoke stepped forward, ahead of the politician. Crow¡¯s eyes fell to his hand, which was placed on the head of his sheathed blade. This was escalating at a annoying pace, but quickly he pictured their faces instead of turning again. Already something interesting bubbled inside of them. Like the limbs of oak he bended toward his more rational side. Maybe not his but ¡­ Crow¡¯s head tilted low, barely able to hide the smile they had unknowingly caused. But thankfully reminded him of what was important, and why every decision made until now, and ahead, was chosen.


    The bald man walked to the odd fellow with a bounce in his stride. Crow started to abandon his posture, but hesitated when more voices were heard in the distance. Heightened with the sound of hoofs pounding the ground from both forward and behind, loud and foreign to Sue¡¯s ears. Before a reaction was made, a pincer formation had been formed; twelve horsemen sat above, and their spears aimed low. Six on the left, six on the right, cutting off all routes of escape. Crow noticed steel shine in his blind side as he turned to his rear, and in that moment a single word leaped in his mind, perfect. Fear sung from his lips as his hands raised, "please don''t kill me! Please," the man begged. The politician after quickly surveying the situation pulled Crow near while completely unveiling a hidden knife and pressing it to the man¡¯s throat.


    A fair skin woman with humble blue eyes appeared between spears and hopped off her horse, the bottom of her heavy brown cloak of fur falling to the ground with a hard thump. The armor she wore matched the others exactly aside from the fur. Fitted steel wrapped around her body, every inch below her blond hair braided into one string. What tugged Crow¡¯s interest the most was that there were two sheathed swords at her hip. That along with her interesting presence alone convinced him that her skill as a warrior was quite high.


    "Folen McGee, banned citizen of Brew, and righteous pawn of Delven," said the women while rotating her neck. "In other words, more scum for me to wipe off my boots." Crow could hear Folen¡¯s heartbeat jump as her eyes found his. Thumping almost as loud as the hooves from before. "Come any closer and I''ll kill him on the spot," the man threatened.


    The woman gave a ominous chuckle. "Fool, if you did that then how would you escape?" She shook her head as one of the horsemen handed her a brown container from above. "Besides," she went on, popping the jug open with her thumb and eying him as it was raised to her mouth. "You couldn''t kill that thing even if you wanted to." All eyes now laid on Crow, and Folen¡¯s brow furrowed. "You think I won''t call your bluff?" McGee¡¯s stare held a wavering edge to it, the kind shared by the desperate. While Sue¡¯s held the opposite, whether it leaned toward patience or tranquility even she couldn''t determine. Her eyes pointed to the woman, everything about her felt right. From the armor to the men, to whatever shone in her eyes. An actual Knight stood in front of her. The woman glanced to her direction with a smirk. After, her left hand fell on her right sword as she faced forward while finishing a few gulps.


    One of the horsemen hesitantly aimed his sight toward her, and so with a familiar face before glancing ahead. "Commander ¡­ now is not the time for thoughtless acts. What if you are wrong?" Sue watched the scene clear headed as possible. Pushing away the trinkets and details also reaching for her attention. The other soldiers remained as if no words could be heard. Meaning the soldier speaking out was of higher rank, maybe even second in command. The knight turned to the speaker confidently, now with a raised brow. "Is that so, Julius?" she said with her smirk from before still intact. The man''s face grew a little pale. "McGee, I''ll make a deal with you. Since your hostage isn''t in any danger, your words are harmless." The knight lifted her chin a inch, still keeping her stare on Julius as a hand was raised. "But say the girl with white hair were in your grasp, then any wish within my power would be granted." Folen nearly drooled as his eyes followed the woman¡¯s finger pointing to the girl. Sights all around shifted again, unlike one who found reminder as Megan watched the one in Folen¡¯s clutches.


    Sue¡¯s eyes and hand found her chest. Every moment beyond the knight¡¯s words stirred a unending echo through her mind and flesh, warnings. Every limb screamed in unison as her heart fell into a race, lasting only seconds before her body grew stiff and in-precise with even the smallest acts such as aiming her eyes or taking a step. The world rotated as her senses tried to sooth, all the while McGee''s misled hope grew with each passing second as his knife bit further into Crow''s skin while nodding. One of the men behind Megan mirrored the act, his chestnut hair drifting as he unsheathed his blade with elegance. Stitching together the motions, in a blink dirt powdered the air. He moved not with overwhelming speed, but without wasteful movements paired with decent agility. Dodging the thrusts of spears from above by the skin of his teeth, he drew steps away from Megan (who somehow now stood in front of Sue) untouched.


    "Commander!" Sue heard a voice call again from her right, it belonged to one of the soldiers, to Julian. Her sight slipped into darkness for a moment, then light again, shortly after finding the knight. Still as brick she stood, watching with a careful eye as her hands remained folded over her steel-covered chest. Everything now skipped along in a slow motion; the girl blinked again, back to Megan¡¯s back. Then to the man a foot behind the girl, already moving his blade to fall through her sister¡¯s rear. Sue¡¯s eyes raised, he wore a smile as his second foot left the ground. And before his blade could reach destination, the girl¡¯s mind fell blank. Empty as torn canvas.

 Chapter 9: IV

    The air ... feels different. Susan rubbed her finger and thumb together in a slow rotation while searching for the right words, any words to describe the shallow sensation. But all she found in the few seconds she fell in such a scrambled but focused state, was thin. As if out of breath after being smothered past natural limits.


    "Commander Vain!" the soldier from before called multiple times. The last finally springing a reaction. The woman deigning fur blinked. "What is it?" Julian swallowed. "Our orders?" This time his words appeared in a low, passive state compared to before. The commander, as if just opening her eyes glanced around the area. The first her eye caught was Folen, still holding a knife to the stranger¡¯s throat, chin forced high, inching away from the blade as his own sight remained still, aiming in her direction. They were a stoic, a empty grey, a rayless sky. But soon blood reeled the commander¡¯s eyes left, a small amount, spilled onto a fallen blade, but no where else. And steps away, one of the girls held the other, slowly stroking her hair as a voice seemed desperate for air. "Breath ¡­ breath," the woman with red hair chanted. "What happened?" Julian squinted. "El- Commander, what do you-"


    "I asked a question, Julian." The Commander spoke in firm tone. Recognized, the soldier straightened, setting his sights forward, likely at nothing at all. "The leader of the mercenary unit, a detachment connected to the rouge organization known as Red Desert received a signal from their client to either attack or capture the young girl." A pause was uttered in between his assessment. "The white hair¡¯s associate stepped in front of the intended victim, possibly to defend her. In her case, the attacker appeared to be after blood, but before his weapon reached a violent gust of wind drew, hindering visibility across the area. Seconds later after the wind ceased, the attacker was ... gone."


    "Gone?" Commander Vain questioned with a furrowed brow. Julian confirmed with a hesitant nod. "For a short period there was confusion, but after, most surrendered willingly after being surrounded."


    "Which leaves Folen." Julian glanced to his leader, then to the politician. Now only he and his hostage alone were circled by unspoiled spears. Fear was all that could be found in the man¡¯s leaping eyes. Quickly leaving no room for logic or sense. "Correct." Julian noticed the eye contact between the hostage and the recently updated knight. He as opposed to his leader wore worry like a priest black then. Flicking between the two to be certain. "Were you right?" The knight didn¡¯t break eye contact to answer the question. But he, and the bodies of steel listening in could tell she wasn¡¯t ignoring him. "I''m not sure," she replied as her legs were on the move. "Standby." Julian and six of his comrades offered salute as Elda approached the intended victims.


    Megan saw her coming from the small distance away while Susan¡¯s wild breathing had finally calmed in her sister¡¯s arms. "How do you feel?" Megan asked, still brushing the girl¡¯s winter hair. She could hear the girl swallow before speaking. "Better."


    Megan¡¯s chin turned as heavy steps scratched the dirt. The heroic knight now stood present, bringing a graze of awkwardness in the air as their glances met. A rough groan following as Folen¡¯s face met the ground and his hands- like his compatriots- were tied behind his back. The hostage eyed the politician with a neutral stare. "Go," said the girl as she raised her sibling¡¯s head by both cheeks, "speak with Crow for a moment," the seemingly older of the two insisted. The third set of grey eyes turned to Elda after nodding. Even with a unsure look, the girl didn¡¯t decline the request. The two watched as she parted, her gaze occasionally meeting the sun.


    "Will she be alright?" The redheaded woman turned to the commander, her comforting demeanor shredded in a instant. The knight exhaled, "I¡¯m here to apologize. For putting you and your friend in danger unnecessarily." The woman with fur and steel lowered her upper half stiffly, as if unused to the act. "It was foolish, and unacceptable." Megan¡¯s lips were as still as her eyes, before and after they had ran up and down the woman¡¯s shelled figure. "Why are you here, knight?" Her words weren¡¯t loud, but unquestionably clear, even when inaudible to watching eyes. The commander¡¯s chin leaped when hearing the voice. "I-I don¡¯t understand?"


    "Is it forgiveness?" The woman¡¯s brow and eyes fell. "Yes, I am ashamed of my actions."


    "Why?" The response took the knight by surprise, so much that her words had nearly slipped away. "I could have gotten you three killed ... that is more then enough to damage my honor as a warrior-"


    "We have no interest in your honor, Commander Vain," the odd girl shot back. Then leaned in, close enough so her voice could surly only be heard by one. "I''m surprised really, you still have yet to ask where the blood came from." Elda¡¯s eyes widened, then flew to the stray blade. Megan, still wearing a neutral glare pulled back, fixing her posture before glancing back to Sue. She was laughing, hopefully at Crow¡¯s interesting new personality. It deserved some well placed wit.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Slowly the commander''s lips slowly bended into a smirk, and her eyes filling with intrigue rather then- regardless of confusion. "You three aren''t from here, are you?" Megan gave the knight a glance, the way she said here made her nostril twitch. Indeed, the small act was noted by the knight, but couldn''t be determined negative or not. By the girl¡¯s silence, it was indicated she would rather not answer (Not that it made a difference). Megan turned away from the impulsive leader, seemingly finished with the conversation. But as if she forgot a deed in need to be complete, the one with scarlet hair gracefully rotated with one arm behind her back, gaining the commander''s attention before tapping the bottom of her chin with the spine of her finger, then with the same grace, spun again, stepping past the now approaching man to the girl with white hair¡¯s side.


    The knight¡¯s face grew stiff as her eyes kept on the young woman¡¯s back, clearly somewhat bothered by her odd actions. Though her thoughts were cut short when her attention was redirected to the former hostage, who now came forth to her while pressing a handkerchief where the knife had been held against his throat. Before the two came within feet apart, he dropped the accessory drenched in red, unveiling not a single sign of a wound. Releasing a grin so wide Commander Vain could hardly hold contain even if she tried. He reached and lifted the handkerchief on the go, walking now with a shifting posture, his voice still soft, but now calm and sharp as a hum. Above all was the transition in his eyes, instead of regaining light and warmth, an unmoving cold was claimed. The knight woke from her thinking as he placed his hand on her armor, where her shoulder laid underneath. "If I were you commander, I would be thankful I was here instead." By the look on her face when she met eyes with the man, he could tell she''d lost track of him. A peculiar detail. But soon enough, her widening grin returned.


    "Instead? Is there another as interesting as you three?" The small grin he offered sent chills down the arm he barely touched. "Perhaps." By his next step the demeanor of hostage had been wiped away completely, this time instead of either extremes, it walked down the line, very much comparable to many citizens of a young Idyll. The commander''s eyes stayed on lier¡¯s back, and her grin fading. Across his shoulder she met eyes with Julian, his face mimicking her own.


    A tap was felt on her shoulder, opposite the stranger¡¯s hand sat. She turned to find the girl with white hair. Shame took the knight¡¯s face as she considered the girl, who offered her a hand. "Sue is my name," she said with fire in her eyes. Elda lowered her head on the extended hand below. "How could I shake your hand when I have yet to apologize?" Sue kept her eyes on the knight¡¯s. Wandering in the sea of powerful blue. "I know you meant well. Mistakes are made for a reason." The commander sighed, then took Sue¡¯s hand with a firm grip. "I am Elda, One Hundred Man Commander Of Brew. Sue gave half a smile. "I''m glad we met, Sue."


    "Like-wise," the girl replied. "Do you three have a place to stay?" Sue shook her head regrettably. "The you all are welcomed in Brew, for as long as you need." A thoughtful look overwhelmed the girl. "Will there be food?" Elda snickered, "plenty." Susan swirled around the commander and yelled for the man staring down the road. "Crow! We have a place to stay now!" the girl spoke with no shame. Crow turned his head away from the raven circling the sky, with a look that ranged between annoyed, surprised and a scowl.


    A cold wind blew as Elda walked to and climbed up her horse, shaking her head all the while. "The positives and negatives of living, coincidences," she murmured.


    Sue watched as the Knight mounted, her eyes unmoving the entire time. As if fate warned the girl, Megan appeared near with a hand upon her own forehead. "Oh n-"


    "HELL YEAH!" Sue screamed, again with no shame. After soldiers (specifically near Julian) failed to hold in their laughter, all while questioning if the girl with white hair held blood ties to the commander, Elda Vain threw a pantheon of foul language into the air, along with irrational evidence to prove she was indeed twenty-three years of age.


    The women took a deep breath after and glanced upward. To the peaceful blue skies, daunting as ever. "Mount up men, we¡¯re heading home."

 Chapter 10: Beginnings ( End Of Episode One )

    Boots moving in sync rumbled through the floor. Who knows how long he had ignored the sounds and vibration, treading distant but near at the same time. Steel being drawn and sheathed, voices of men giving and obeying orders hanging in the dry air endlessly until slowly Astral''s eyes finally opened. Finding a simple greeting of absolute silence. A dream? No, but the thought crossed his mind a few times since he awoke, but as time passed on the consideration hastily began to fade.


    He sat still while watching the white ceiling cloaked in darkness. Letting his blank mind stay unhindered by the heavy thoughts that would inevitably arrive. But before, a new sound slipped through the silence; a page flipping, placed at his left. The boy continued to eye the ceiling, unbothered after noticing the low light also within the direction.


    "Your eyes," a voice began. "They''ve been closed for so long, this morning I mistook you for one of the dead." Astral''s head peaked just above the covers, his sight adjusting left where a women laxly sat in a chair, one leg over the other and her cheek resting on a limp fist. Next to her a white candle upon a small table, lit with a blue flame that bloomed a glow across her face as another page flipped by without a guiding hand. The girl was quite focused on the book, hovering just above her lap as her open hand continued rotating within a mug that shared the same space as the flame. Momentarily, her eyes raised, maybe to confirm who she was speaking to was indeed awake. The thought made him chuckle inside, but outside, all that could be found was aching soreness running through his bones. He could move if he needed to, but the thought did nothing to please the mind.


    Astral¡¯s sight had wandered since seeing the woman for the first time, and returned to her after another space of quiet. She was still reading. Was it evident that her appearance crossed his mind more then once? He hid it well, but was it well enough? She wore a black sleeveless dress covered in jewels of gold that danced and shined within the calm blue light. They were stunning, almost as much as everything else. Her black hair fell loose and wild, as if only just now she¡¯d gained the opportunity to relax.


    "You must like what you see," the woman said, her voice smooth as silk. Astral could feel his body stiffen, but above shoulders, somehow, he held the face of the unfazed.


    "What are you reading?" His question caused her eyes to rise again, like the last only momentarily. Another page turned before the flame. "Usually when one finds themselves lost, a self serving sense comes alive, leading them to ask, where am I?"


    The book shut forcefully as her attention now openly transitioned to him. Her gold earrings swaying from golden strings as she eyed him. Astral lifted his head off the cloudy white pillow, and as he raised a cold wet cloth fell from his forehead into his lap. "How long have I slept?"


    "Seven days." Seven ... That certainly wasn''t the number he was expecting, but his body was too tired to react again. Now that he was more or less awake, he scoped his environment, quickly recognizing how easy it was to grow comfort, despite the lack of light. Which was interesting, usually anywhere aside from his favorite spots in Lafeya or others a heavy weight climbed into his bones, leaving him frankly; the opposite of comfortable. Astral blinked, pushing his random thoughts aside and continuing to survey the room. Everything untouched by the blue light hid in darkness, though he did notice outlines of the few paintings hung on the walls here and there. And even with the cover he''d been given for warmth, the air was still a tick below chilly, just the way he liked it.


    The familiar sound of silverware clinking pulled his stare back to the woman. He''d heard it while watching the ceiling once or twice before. While reading, she had been stirring absently as the mug waited on the near table, and now roamed through the air until Astral¡¯s fingers were wrapped around each side. "Thank you," the boy said in a weakened voice. He winced at the clarity of his scarred words within the silence, and knew he wouldn¡¯t go without rest for long. With no hesitation Astral took a sip, the liquid¡¯s heat bit the edge of his tongue, but it was good, weaved with a chocolate flavor.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. "Do you not care to know how you lived without food or drink for so long?" Astral took another sip of the chocolate, the warmth running down his throat with ease, forcing away the cold. "Not in particular," he replied. The girl¡¯s book lowered in her lap, and she placed the bundle of words on the same table the candle occupied. "Hmm. You seem more comfortable with majik then I expected, but very well, we have other matters to speak on."


    "Where are we?" A small curve found her lips. "Elmunan." Dark path? "What does that mean?" The woman vaguely rose a brow before turning to the blue flame at her side. It was small in size, a inch more then a nail, but stood with unshakable light. "So you do not speak any of the old tongues. It is an ancient word, translating roughly into dark path in common language. Fragments of lost worlds, there are not many below, but the few that do exist have a tendency to cause sticky situations politically."


    Astral gazed into the mug given to him, at his reflection within the black glass and blue tinted liquid, where a slight twitch on the side of his nose followed. "Fragments of worlds? What does that even mean?"


    "A conversation for another day perhaps."


    "So I''m not a prisoner?" The woman shook her head, looking away from the candle to the room''s shadowed walls. "You are among friends." But of who? Astral wondered in dry tone.


    A knock appeared from behind the woman, out of reach from the candle''s light. With a shift of her chin, she spoke a single word: "Enter." Beneath the dark, the sound of a door sliding open across wood gave way, Astral struggled after raising his eyes from the mug in search of simply a figure, but nothing would be found, and he was sure not even a hint of a footstep was heard. Though he did get the feeling he was found quickly, and watched for longer then a usual glance. "Staring is impolite," the woman in front of the boy said, sending his eyes back to the insides of his mug. "My apologies, Madam Eden."


    "Is it anything dire?"


    "Aside from news of Lady Leha and Lord Torn, no, nothing too daring." Eden''s eyes leaned to her rear again, and Astral¡¯s to her. Though the second voice spoke much closer then before, still the dark revealed nothing. "Then leave us for tonight. We will speak in the morning."


    "As you wish, Madam. Peaceful dreams to you both," the voice said before the door slid shut slowly after. Facing forward, Eden let out a low exhale. Astral fiddled with the smooth glass beneath his thumbs as a somber quiet ran through the room.


    "You seem important." The woman laughed before aiming her glance to him then the ceiling. "Do I? Sometimes I wonder ..." Astral¡¯s fingers grew still. For whatever reason her words made him realize how much he was enjoying the company. Even when thoughts of being a prisoner skipped through his mind. Including everything and one in this room. There was something interesting about this place, he could feel it, but ...


    A delay took hold as he broke into a blank stare on his curled fingers. Torn? The word appearing again with a new sense of clarity. There was something to that word, something he was missing, not unlike where he laid, but different ...


    The boy swallowed as the the feeling of a unwanted rush was preparing to surge within, rubbing around his chest to force a climb in heart rate, and it was working, and obvious by the way the woman eyed him now with a lowered brow. "Something on your mind?" she said as the gold on her chest and ears shined with another level of brightness due to her subtle shift in movements. "Who is T-Torn?" Astral made eye contact when asking the question, and he felt his heart drop when creases formed in her forehead. Now he held a feeling that the one thing he wasn''t supposed to ask, he just did. She didn''t look upset as she continued to watch him with her gaze, but the feeling within the room, including that ever so easy to reach comfort had changed. It was undeniable. The woman raised to her feet, turning to the darkness where the voice had came from before. But before she moved again, a whisper left his lips. "Where am I?" There was a long moment of silence as her figure left the blue flame''s reach.


    "Winter Of the Sun Era. 241."


    Now rest

 Chapter 11: Friends

    Sue and Megan stood still as the dirt beneath their feet, hand in hand, just as they had planned so long ago for the day they finally stepped outside the small boundaries of Lafeya. It had took a three day trip to reach this destination, and their eyes were wide as an ocean; taking in every single detail before them, and before them stood one of the last true independent cities in Idyll, Brew.


    They stood at it''s entrance, marveling at all around them. Crow, Elda and her men stood behind, quietly observing the girls live in a moment they may cherish for the rest of their lives. "Putting up with their eccentric excitement these last few days, it may have been worth it," Elda said lowly to Crow who stood at her right. "It usually is," he muttered while wearing a proud smirk. After a few minutes everyone followed the girls into the lively city. Sue and Megan''s eyes flicking to every direction, to showcases of fruit, jewelry, clothing, to the nearby voices of haggling and bartering blanketing the air. Everything that made the city feel alive, they alone gave admiration as most continued through their regular day.


    "A market only a few steps from the entrance? How bold," Crow said as all in line still followed Sue and Megan, though now one of Elda''s men led the way forth. "Your evaluation is understandable, but believe it or not each seller that within this city holds many lives upon their shoulders. Without them, who knows how long we would survive. To carry such weight, bold must be in one¡¯s nature."


    Sue Turned to Elda as her legs continued forward a fair way ahead, "How many people live here, Commander Elda?"


    "At most five to seven thousand, very little compared to capitals in other territories." Sue turned her head to Megan, and without words her sister nodded before both shared a moment of hushed laughter, seemingly a private affair. "How many markets do you have? And why would so many die if they didn''t exist?"


    "Profits within the five outer markets throughout the city are used only for the benefit of citizens apart from their agreed share, things such as clean food, water, piping, and even security resources are outsourced, though the last area gets no where near as much funding as the others."


    "You''ve said more then one crown envies how much coin your markets earn, not to mention you are only one city with a few thousand people. How could you not afford military affairs?"


    "That carries over into a much larger issue, and possibilities many here aren''t ready to hear."


    "And what would that be?" Crow said with a curious look in his eye. Elda''s eyes grew volatile, her grip on one of her sheathed blades tightening. "War."


    While conversing, the line of soldiers and odd outsiders began to stroll past a dark alleyway, where at its center a single person stood, looking directly toward them. It was too dark to find a face, but Crow could make out the inches of blond hair beneath a hood and a white pendent with a matching medallion of torn leaf within the darkness.


    "There is a agreement between the four powers that lust for our land at the table, that to avoid a senseless bloodbath, Brew''s central market must act according to specific behavior that supports the table and it''s interests. One being we must be open to the public, to form a national tourist hot spot, they say. The second being a monthly fee that separates into the pockets of the four crowns that want us dead."


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it."To suppress blood lust ... It''s not ideal, but decent for buying time if your pockets are as deep as you say."


    "I believe three years has given them an ample amount of taste of coin, and soon one may reach for the entire pot." Crow''s eyes narrowed. "I hope such time was not wasted, or Brew will be in for some rough years ahead."


    "I Agree." The commander lowered her sight to the passing ground before glancing back to her side. "No act today?" Crow snickered hearing her words and wit. "No, takes too much energy. Besides, that''s the first time I''ve ever tried it." Elda''s eyebrows rose. "Really? Well, it isn¡¯t that surprising. Then why?"


    "Nothing extraordinary, just a reminder to the mind that there are always alternatives, so many no man could ever find count." Elda''s smirk grew large and firm. "They are lucky to have you as their guide." With a high brow Crow briefly bowed his head. "Thank you but I am only one."


    "Then when will I meet the other? Is he or she the one I should thank the Gods for not being present when we met?"


    "Although I find your sarcasm rather enjoyable, I am surprised we are discussing this topic so early in our friendship."


    "Surprises are good for health." Crow''s eyes met Elda''s. "I never said there were only two. What made you guess that number?" The commander met his glance again for more then a moment. "A warrior¡¯s intuition, I suppose." Crow pulled his eyes back ahead. "How useful that must be."


    "Very."


    Finally, after a some time of walking the soldier at the line''s head stopped in front of a lone brick building, close to completely isolated from the entrance market or most other buildings within the city. A circuit of trees stood at the lone structure''s rear, surrounded by a low black gate. Crow turned his head to the path their steps walked, leading back to Brew''s core, where nearly the entire city was crafted in gray stone, unlike where they had arrived, which was made of warm red brick. Two large swords crossed each other above the golden knob of the door the color of bark. Megan and Sue, like the rest of the city gazed on.


    "Is this where you live?" said Megan while scoping the building''s height. "No, for now this is where we live," the commander corrected. Crow said nothing, but her words reminded him of a statement he''d heard many times before. Too much time had past for him to remember the quote with perfection, but it bordered around nothing is ever black and white, good or evil, but every act has motive, the kind of saying the hag would always speak aloud randomly.


    Elda''s men led their mares to the building¡¯s side while her second in command, the soldier who led them here, now approached and unlocked the front door. Megan heard voices roaring from inside as the door opened, revealing a royal blue carpet with sharp golden lines swirling across the large hallway floor. Sue clasped her hands as her eyes brightened at the sight, while Megan was less entranced and more distracted by her sister''s bad taste. Elda placed her hands on both Megan and Sue''s shoulders.


    "I think you two are going to like it here." She spoke with a genuine smile. Both nodded as the three entered. While Crow made his way hesitantly across the stone walkway, and as he shut the door behind him, he couldn''t help but wonder if coming here was a mistake.

 Chapter 12: II

    Crow paced himself, still last in the group as they made way through the immediate hallway. Being near the girls would be optimal, but the side effects from before reaching Brew were already in motion. He stopped himself as the room swirled upside down and blurred, keeping control as he nearly tilted, but kept his regular walk in form as the room slid again back in place. He closed his eyes for a moment, favoring a small exhale before again willing them open. The men in steel had lent him a hand, seeing them more so as potential threats then enemies kept him cautious and focused, but not on edge. And in that mindset, one would be surprised at what they could accomplish. Not that he expected anything too rough to occur, the commander and her men seemed good folk, but he would rather be distrustful then regretful. It would not be the first time he would be taken by surprise.


    The roars heard before entering surged in volume, ringing off the walls stemming from the end of the hall, where a yellow light crept from beneath a door onto the royal carpet. The door sat on the right side, and when it opened, it did so with a low groan, painting the carpet and hallway wall a dreary yellow. A head peaked out, the awkward face lowered, where Sue and Megan stared blankly upward, and it also in return. The mood was oddly relaxed, especially with the commander¡¯s men making such a fuss behind them.


    "What are you brats looking at?" the head said, and not in the tone Megan or her sibling expected. Sue looked like the thought of burning it all down ran across her mind. "Who are you calling a brat you f-" Megan¡¯s hand slapped across the grunting girl, and with a solid attempt of a smile as she rubbed Susan''s back in her failed attempt to calm her.


    "Apologies, she was dropped as a child." Sue planted her foot, preparing to twist and launch herself after the sly remark. At least, that was the intention, until a familiar throat was cleared. The owner couldn''t even be seen behind Elda and her men, but never the less, Sue along with her anger froze in their tracks.


    Elda chuckled while walking past the two, approaching the face and door. "Be kind, these young women are our guests." The commander turned to the face, smiling. Not the kind used when returning to friends, but more the kind used to send a message. The face nodded as he met her eyes. "Yes ma''am, but what about him?" he said with a finger aimed down the hall. Who the finger pointed to now stood only steps away from Megan and Sue. Elda glanced to it¡¯s target, "Him as well," she answered, before turning and passing the man in front of the doorway. Less then moments later a thunderous laughter appeared from within. One Megan concluded must have been made by a ogre of a man.


    "One prick, one band of garbage, our third lieutenant still lives, life is good!" Cheers and shouting in agreement sung almost as loud as the voice. "Oh, oh, no need to mention our lovely waitresses, including our newest, who is a true beauty to behold. All is well in Ouson!"


    "All is well indeed!" the crowd of men replied. "Let the fun begin!" Cheers of victory followed the doorway, along with the shattering of glass and gargle of liquor. Megan and Sue turned to one another as the men and women who traveled with them entered with words and smiles. "Hykon is ridiculous," one of the soldiers commented to another, both with helmets in hand. Even Crow held a look as if he didn''t know how to react. Seconds later the roars and excitement seemed reignited with chanting.


    "Brew!"


    "Brew!"


    "Brew!"


    "Brew!"


    "Brew!"


    The girls peaked their heads inside the doorway, Megan above Sue since she was naturally smaller while the last half dozen soldiers passed by. Megan winced at the sounds of their heavy steel, clinking and scraping with every step. The door was actually the entrance to a large tavern like area. Sue recognized the style from books her and Mae used to read together over the years. It was a spectacle to watch, overflowed tankards held high over crowded tables, laughter, conversation and arguments filling walls neck high. Each of the waitresses, who all wore matching black and white outfits held a smile, hinting that they were very used to this level of excitement, and probably enjoyed it. Trophies from hunts were showed off hanging on the upper walls. Megan and Sue approached one in particular after finally entering in a branching hallway that led to both restrooms on their left. But upon doing so, their eyes fell ahead of the doorway at the root of the tavern, where the largest man they''ve ever seen sat, effortlessly standing out among the rest of the room in their own seats. His hair mimicked the opposite of his body, withering grey and lone strings running down his cheek. His skin shined with the same tone as the rum falling down the throats and chins around them. And next to him was Elda, laughing just as the rest.


    "She really is a knight," Susan whispered. Megan¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Indeed." Rum ... It had a strong smell to it. Megan wondered how she knew the name. A book maybe. Both reached the wall of trophies, again eying the one in particular.


    "What do you think it is?" Sue asked. Megan stared wide eyed. "I don''t know, but it must have been big." Elda¡¯s steps drew across the room and to them, also studying the animal''s face stained with rage. It''s yellow eyes blazing, and mouth open wide, almost gloating it''s sharp white teeth, ready to deliver the final blow. A decent sized mirror hung eye level to Sue just below it.


    "The mighty black dragon of Andar Mountain, a opponent worthy of recognition and praise, even in death." Sue¡¯s gaze turned to Elda¡¯s voice behind them. Which was who she expected, and found, but Elda stood steps beside her back. A man stood behind Susan, when her eyes found him her heart flinched in her chest. Like all in the tavern he wore a fitted coat of steal, a blade at his side and pride in his posture. "James, was it not you who took on the beast in snow?" Elda spoke with her arms crossed, and also with a tone suggesting she should know the answer, but drifted away in her mind. "I was only one, and would have died had it not been for Lycon¡¯s aid," the man called James said as he eyed the dragon, his brown eyes likely envisioning the memory of battle still. Elda seemed to notice first while watching him run through his thoughts. "How close was it?" Elda inquired. James glanced to her. "The closest it''s ever been." Elda turned back to the dragon with a half smile. "Those are the days all who carry the heart of a warrior prepare for, ache for. The kind you visit in dreams after." Sue watched Elda as she spoke, and Megan watched Sue. Those... with a heart of a warrior?


    "Have we received word from Black Haven yet?" Interest flashed in Megan¡¯s eyes as the commander aimed her words to James. "A letter confirming the transaction in coin arrived yesterday evening," said the man who still held eye contact with the trophy. Elda sighed in relief, her crossed arms falling before one raised to the back of her neck. "Good. The gold will come in good use for the coming days. We should be quite active."


    Megan swallowed. Her mind was still stuck on that term- Black Haven. She wanted to ask what it was, something about it gnawed at her, but something else warned her to not. That now was not the time, and that voice (the second) held much more passion then the first. "Are you okay Megan?" The girl blinked, finding all three pair of eyes on her. "I''m fine. Just thinking of home." Susan bit her lower lip, and Elda¡¯s head tilted. "Ah, I¡¯ve been wondering, where is home for the three of you?" Megan weighed the question. Her sudden hesitation left only herself puzzled. The words just spilled out, with no thought or intent behind them. "We were born in a village, somewhere near where we and the bald man met, though I''m unsure how far. Growing up everyone was kind, helped Crow look after us, though there were never really children our age, most were older." The girl started to scan up the tavern¡¯s warm wooden walls, a chocolate brown, a good choice. "Compared to your home in scale, it¡¯s no more then a pebble in a pond." A small smile grew below her cheeks and strands of red. "But it was enough, more then enough." Elda eyed the girl, in quiet thought.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source."You are a guest of Brew, of the commander, yet lie blatantly in her presence." Megan¡¯s chin rose with crumpled brows. "You think I''m lying?"


    "I know you are. Brew lays at the center of Idyll, of each face of the world. Because such amount of traffic is aimed to us, roots of any settlement of life were planted with care, distancing themselves as far away as possible."


    "What does that have to do with one village?" Sue cut in, her voice not as fiery as usual Megan had noticed. "A village would crumble in weeks without connection to Brew. They would earn no coin here, no coin or alliances means no food, no clean water, no steel or support against bandits and thieves." The two outsiders faded into silence as they met one each other¡¯s eyes.


    "Lieutenant, that is enough." The man turned to Elda. "But commander-"


    "I do not think they are lying. Though it makes no sense, there are other factors we aren''t considering."


    "Such as?" Elda held her tongue as a hand took hold of her chin. The matter already running through her mind by the looks of it. But before she could respond, something in the air shifted, only momentarily, but it was out of place, and such things in one¡¯s home are not so easily overlooked.


    "Who the hell are you?" James said harshly. Elda¡¯s eyes raised and scanned, switched between the girls before tugging to the right, just behind the outsiders upon the wall. The man with his back against the chocolate brown had his hands inside his coat, with a uninterested look as his grey eyes laid upon James. "I asked you a question," the lieutenant reiterated, causing Sue¡¯s fist to close. Even with such tone, the third outsider didn''t oblige, only his chin rose just above where a goat¡¯s head sat with abnormally dark grey fur and horns long and sharp.


    James sucked his teeth while cracking his knuckles. "It is common courtesy to give a knight your name when requested. A trait held by those with even a sliver of honor. Criminals even understand this."


    "I don''t care," the outsider replied. His sight still raised onto the odd goat head. Susan turned to Elda, wondering why she hadn''t stepped in yet, or why she herself laid quiet until now. Was Crow angry about something? The lieutenant sneered before approaching Crow, stepping around Megan in doing so, he glanced down and up as they now stood no more then a few feet apart. "I''ve met plenty like you, off and on the field of battle. Hiding behind your majik and danger from the front lines, leaving with no scars of war, yet your head still held high as if you should be feared." James took another step forward, and Crow¡¯s chin lowered, meeting the lieutenant¡¯s eyes with a calm stare. "I wonder how you would react to true fear. When death surrounds only you, reaches only for you." The lieutenant¡¯s voice grew sour when speaking, red bloomed across his face as his glare continued on. Crow sniffed, wiping the face of his nose with a thumb. "Are you done?"


    "You make me want to vomit."


    "And you make me want to sleep," Crow said with a soundless yawn. Elda¡¯s ears twitched, her head following the waves behind her. The wild tavern had grown silent, pitches of drink grounded to the tables and necks rotated to their brother in arms and the outsider locking eyes.


    "I think that''s enough, James," Elda muttered while running by the filled tavern¡¯s eyes. "Unless this is a prelude to a discussion between me and you." After a moment, James took a step backward, his eyes lowering. Susan felt the energy shift in the room, from pure excitement to confusion to uneasiness. Which doubled when he replied with silence. Elda turned to him, her eyes also lowering.


    "Hykon, round up for patrols. Be gone for a hour at least. Take the staff with you." The incredibly large man pushed off the bar counter somewhat flustered. "No. I won''t allow hi-" Elda faced the grey haired giant slowly, he and her on separate sides of the room, but her presence like their voices reached wall to wall. "That was a order, squad leader."


    Hykon raised his chin, his jaw locked and fist tightening. "All but squads six through ten, prepare for routine patrols." The man¡¯s voice was sound and unhesitant when speaking. But no one moved. More so unlike the brother of the second lieutenant, Lycon, the men were second guessing, hesitant. The giant observed with understanding eyes, then inhaled through his nose, "Raise!" the squad leader ordered, and they did, the entire tavern shaking as it¡¯s patrons stood tall. Few in the tavern fell into a salute, a meager twenty out of however many. "Stay weary!" the men called, and their brothers and sisters nodded before placing their helms on and preparing for the unknown again. Hykon met Elda¡¯s eyes once more with a concerned look, Susan thought. She nodded, and he set forth to the tavern¡¯s entrance. "March!"


    The populated tavern soon wove into one line, their steel steps probably heard in town if not for the market when in unison. Sue out the corner of her eye saw Crow¡¯s finger raise, and the string of black levitate and connect to Megan¡¯s ear. Sue could picture the silence from how active her eyes were. Attaching to anything that moved, until one of the saluted followed and let the last of the line pass through the door before closing it.


    "Crow, you three should wait outside also." The man eyed Sue and Megan, contemplating. Elda looked ready for him to speak, but his words never came. She watched as he peeled off the wall, and walked past the lieutenant (his head still stuck to the floor) facing forward, avoiding eye contact. "Keep up Sue and Mae." Megan began to follow him, the string already loose from her ear, but Susan, like Brew¡¯s soldiers, hesitated. Her gut took hold of her legs, and Crow could sense where this was going the moment he noticed. "No, Susan. Follow your sister."


    Her eyes raised, with a different feel then usual. These grey eyes, he had realized decades ago would one day grow uncontrollable. It wasn''t a fact he disliked, but it did make him nervous, timing can sometimes mean everything, and this-where they stood now was a piece of that everything. Not now he would often think, not yet. But as he stood in the midst of a city he thought he''d never return to, that out of his many yet few wishes, he knew this would not come true.


    "I don''t think we should leave," Sue said in a voice inches over a whisper. He already knew her answer, but the words still burned in his chest. Their growth had began long ago, pleading now was simply to fool himself. "We are leaving. Now." As much as he tried, the other side of him he couldn''t tug out, the more serious side. Pride was reaching from beneath his throat, trying to take hold of his lips, but Crow bit back the smile, with as much fervor as he could manage. But before he had completely won that battle within, a sound pulled his and Elda¡¯s attention to the entrance. A click and bang, the sound of a wide hole opening and being filled.