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'Azeus! Rui damn it, wake up!'

A mother's touch. Something I had lacked. Life had been too hard, and I just wanted to give it up.... Fall to the insane world, give in to the fear, the pain...

'Azeus, please! I need you...'

Fear was a powerful thing. Pain was also powerful. But why...? Mother, why could you not be there for me...? Why did you have to leave me alone, with father...?

'Azeus, hang on. It's not your time yet, you aren't needed in Rui's domain! Please, live...!'

So, so many years of hardship. Of fear. Of pain. If it would all just end...

'Azeus...'

Pain. On my chest. A thumping pain. My heart, still beating like thunder.

And then I remembered- I'm still needed. My father needs me. Nilus needs me. I'm the only hope for so many people, with so much weight put onto my frail, battered shoulders...

'...Azeus, I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm going to carry you. There has to be a way out of the Abyss, somehow...'

Hope. That is more powerful.

I woke suddenly, tumbling out of Nilus's arms and into the water. The Nizani helped me up and onto my feet. I still stood uneasily, and the ragged bandages that once wrapped my feet were floating in the water behind us. I noticed that there were significantly more bandages on my torso, and Nilus had no shirt on, just her undergarments and pants. She tore up her shirt to staunch my bleeding.

'Thank.. you...' I muttered.

'Thank you, Azeus Vaux. You risked everything to save me, and I'd do the same for you.' Nilus replied. We started walking as we talked; our gait a slow, limping one.

'But I'm nothing... in the great scheme,,, of things. You're everything to it...' I replied.

'You have more valor than anyone I've ever known. No one would endure that much pain to save another.'

'We escaped together... I would have still been injured...'

'They noticed me back there. I was the cause of a good deal of the combat.' Nilus admitted. 'But now, we have to find a way out of here.'

I nodded in agreement, stumbling over an underwater rock just afterwards. Nilus caught me.

'Careful, you silly Vaux. I don't need you dying from tripping after all of that.' Nilus joked, helping me walk again. I noticed her back- it was whipped almost to the bone, with no feathers remaining on it and the skin was red and bare. I could see some bone from her spine, almost jutting out of the flesh.

'You're injured...' I stated.

'We're both injured, and badly. I just try not to notice the pain.' Nilus responded. 'Now, I was thinking- this is drinkable water. But why would they hide it from the poor, seeing as they live just above us? The poor Hebii die of lack of water all the time, and yet, they live just above an ocean. And look there-' Nilus pointed to one of the nearby pillar walls. The wall was dark stone about ten feet up, and then it suddenly became lighter.

'A water line...' I said.

'Either this is low tide, or the Hebii cities have been draining it. Probably draining it, so there has to be an pipe they do it with. And then, they need to have a maintenance access. We can take that.'

'You're the smart one, not me...' I commented.

'We all have our own strengths.' Nilus replied, as the wreck of the bomber burned behind us. We staggered when a bomb in it detonated, finally reached by the flames.

'The cities... the distances between them are huge... hundreds of miles, usually...' I said after awhile.

'You flew that plane a long ways. Either we're a long way from the other cities, and doomed- or we're only ten miles away from one. We don't know if the pipes branch out either.'

'It's risky...'

'...But it's our only hope.'

We walked for nearly an hour, and I regained some of my strength. My battered, tired body was finally trying to get better, so I was able to walk without support. But as soon as we tried that, Nilus promptly toppled over onto her knees.

'Nilus!' I exclaimed, getting down and trying to help her up.

'Seems that those injuries were a little greater than I thought, haha. Oh Rui, this really hurts...'

I examined her legs- her calves had been slashed dozens of times, and the blood was mixing with the water.

'No wonder it hurts. You should have said...' I replied. I picked Nilus up- her kind had hollow bones made for flight, even though they had none, and she was very malnourished, so she weighed only forty pounds.

'Hey... let me down.' Nilus said, trying to object.

'I'm not leaving you here. We're going to have to find an access, and soon.'

We walked on for another hour, until something appeared ahead of us. There was a rusty metal pipe, about fifty feet in width, going into the ground. It rose up at a fifteen degree angle, and there was a shaky metal staircase that ran on its side, with a rail on the far side.

'We're part of the way there. Now to ascend...' I muttered to Nilus, who was resting in my arms. I checked her pulse- weak, but still there.

'Nilus, stay with me. If you die, millions more will between the Nizani and the Hebii. We can't let that happen.' I said to her, planting my foot on the first, ancient step. Then another. Then another.

The fourth was out of the water, and it groaned in protest as I put the my weight and Nilus's marginal weight on it. I continued upwards, trying to use the rusted railing to balance myself.

The Hebii had hidden this from their people, said it wa shell down below them when it was the opposite- a massive amount of drinkable water; which the poor lacked. They were dying of thirst, and only several hundred feet below, was all the water they could ever need. This world was full of tragedy. Full of despair.

'But why does it stand on my shoulders...? Why must I bear all of this weight...?' I thought out loud.

'...You can put me down, you know...' Nilus muttered. I shook my head.

'You're in no shape. Of course, neither am I, but it's not as bad for me.' I replied, staggering again because of my missing toes.

'You can't even walk right...' Nilus said.

'Someone has to carry someone.'

Nilus fell into sleep again, or perhaps unconsciousness- I couldn't tell. But I kept walking.

With every step, I left a few drops of blood. I left a trail of scarlet breadcrumbs, waiting for another to follow.

The pipe ran up and through a pillar, and the stairway went up alongside, going through the rough hole. I could barely enter without banging Nilus's head and feet into the walls.

The dim tunnel beckoned me as I walked, inviting me to join the everlasting darkness known as death. I grimaced and kept plodding onwards, my tail limp and my hands still gripping Nilus tightly. My tears, blood red, fell on her.

'Nilus... I won't let you die. Your life will stop the demise of millions. Hang on for me, like you told me to. Don't enter the eternal darkness. Live...' I muttered. I stumbled again, bashing Nilus's feet into the wall. They started bleeding, but she didn't wake up.

'Oh, Nilus... Just hang on to life...'

I limped on, carrying Nilus's comatose form in my arms. The ascent seemed to last forever, my balance seemingly getting worse with each step, my heartbeat weaker.

'You can do it, Azeus! You just have to believe! Believe in yourself, Azeus.' Mother used to say. She was always there for me. But no, she's dead... and I have no one.

The pipe took a turn, and with it, the stairs. We had left the pillar awhile ago, and the stairwell hung hazardously over the massive chasm, groaning under our weight. No water could be seen below already.

I peered up- the surface was not far away. I lurched onward.

'Mama, will you be there to help me?' I once asked.

'Of course, Azeus. Until the end.' She replied. Mother, why did you have to be the one to die...?

My mind was cracking under the stress, and I was desperately trying to hold together the shattered pieces with memories of good times long gone, back when my mother was still alive. That was my last actually good day, the day before my mother was killed. Now, being happy is a concept that I've left long ago. War makes one mature so quickly...

I tried leaning on the railing for support, but part of it collapsed suddenly! I pulled back, fell on my rear, and almost dropped Nilus off the edge. I staggered up, Nilus in my arms, and kept going.

The stairs entered another pillar, and the tunnel grew dark.

After another thirty minutes of stumbling along with my mind in a daze, my body burning with agony, and my stomach rumbling like an earthquake, I stopped at a barred door. Beyond it, I could see an abandoned, cobwebbed room.

I tried to open the door, and it seemed to be locked. I threw some more weight into it, and the hinges cracked off; dropping Nilus and I onto the steps. I got up, put her over my shoulder, and stepped into the room.

The area was metal, with rust and other disgusting things staining the walls. Empty shelves lined one wall, and a rack for some sort of protective suit rusted quietly in one corner. There was a single door nearby, and I tried the old doorknob. Didn't budge.

'No, no, no! Hey, someone! Get us out!' I screamed, putting all of my effort into raising enough energy to do so. I laid Nilus on the ground next to the door and banged on it.

'Please...! Open the door...' I cried, thumping on it. A few seconds later, there was a response.

'Get back from the door!' A Hebii voice yelled. I pulled Nilus and myself from the door when it exploded outwards in a cloud of brown dust and grime. A single Hebii stepped in- he had dark red scales, glowing green eyes, and a concerned look on his face. He also wore simple clothing- a grey tunic and similar slacks. He was also carrying a large wooden board in one hand.

'Please, help...' I pleaded, tearing up. I raised one hand up... and fell unconscious from exhaustion.

I remember pain. So, so much pain. Screams for info I didn't have, being violated for things I did not own. The pain... so, so much... Why was I forced into this...? Why did so much responsibility have to be put on my shoulders...?

I woke in a ragged bed, with a thin blanket tossed over me. There was another bed next to me with Nilus resting in it, and both of us were covered in bandages. I had been stripped down to just my pants, and I could feel a swathe of gauss covering my feet. There were several bandages taped to my back, and more wrapped around my limbs and stomach. My jacket and scarf were gone, and I was cleaned up. Nilus was in a similar shape, thankfully. There was a thick bandage covering part of her head, including her missing eye.

The room itself was sparsely furnished. The two beds were the biggest part, with tan walls and a thin carpet. There was a mostly empty bookshelf in a corner, and there was a small table in another. Our savior sat there now, reading an unmarked leather tome.

'You're lucky, Vaux. I was just leaving home when you arrived.' The Hebii said.

'Where are we...?' I asked, sitting up and rubbing my head.

'The Hebii city of Kirai. Just a land-based city, my friend. My name is Uragiri.'

'Azeus Vaux. And this is my friend...' I stopped myself for a second, realizing he may know Nilus due to her status. I quickly came up with a false name. 'Nakali Disanti.' I finished.

'The Disanti name sounds familiar; not sure why. But you two are luck. Kid, you found yourself next to the local clinic. Wait, I do want to know... why were you down there?' Uragiri said.

'I'm her pilot, and we were en route to Severnaya. Our plane was shot down by bandits, and we barely made it out of there.'

'And you found your way up the water pipe? And why do you have specific toes removed, and the woman has what seems to be whip lashes on her back?' Uragiri asked, not questioning my age.

I hesitated. '...They captured us...' I finally said.

'Well, I'm sorry then. I'll be back.' Uragiri replied, walking into the next room. He seemed to be suspicious of us.

I got out of the bed and tried to wake Nilus. She woke lazily.

'Father, I don't wanna go to school today...' She muttered.

'What? Nilus, get up.' I said, a bit confused. She woke.

'Oh, Azeus. We're alive...' Nilus said, hugging me. I protested from the pain, and she let go.

'I managed to get you up to the top, and a Hebii found us. He's civilian, but seems to be suspicious of us.'

'He was kind enough to patch us up.' Nilus stated. I briefed her on the story we were going under quickly, for I could hear Uragiri coming.

'Got some food, you two. Eat up; you look famished. Extremely so...' Uragiri said, handing us a plate of various Hebii foods. There was a variety of meats, fruits, and wheats- he was being kind to us... but it just didn't seem right.

Uragiri left the room again, letting us eat. The walls of his place were thin sheetrock, and I could hear him walking about. I put my ear to the far wall, which was the room he was in.

'Really, Azeus? Eavesdropping? Can't we just relax...?' Nilus asked, tossing the blanket off of herself. She had a splint on one leg, and winced as she moved it.

'Shush, I need to listen.' I replied, listening closely.

'...All citizens, there are two outlaws that have escaped, presumed to be dead but possible alive. One is a young Vaux, wearing the attire of a pilot. near six foot, and should be walking oddly. The other, Nilus Disanti, is the daughter of the Nizani naval commander. If she is to make it back, war may return to full out force. Her head- and the head of the Vaux- will both be well rewarded with an apartment in the city of Hametsu, with the best. They are both spies- stop them.' I heard a distorted radio voice command.

'No... the Hebii military is out for us now, saying we're spies...' I said.

'Oh, Rui- will this torment ever end...?' Nilus commented. I helped her out of bed, and using me as a support, we could walk. We started towards the door when Uragiri walked in. He was carrying a wicked looking saber.

'Sorry, but you two are too expensive to let live.' Uragiri said. He raised his saber at Nilus- and I jumped in front of her. Uragiri halted his saber.

'You... you would sacrifice your life for this woman?' The Hebii growled.

'Since it would stop the deaths of millions- yes, I would!' I replied. Uragiri was silent for a moment. He then lowered the saber.

'You're just a child. Barely more than a hatchling. Flee from here. I have to report you, for otherwise if they see your traces here, I'd be executed. I'll give you a fifteen minute head start. Go!' Uragiri exclaimed, pointing to the door.

'I... thank you.' I said, helping Nilus out. We stepped into the busy city of Kirai.

We stepped out of the single-floor residence and into a dirt street that was empty. The building we just exited was small and tan on the outside, probably built from some of the surrounding materials in the landscape. Dozens, if not hundreds of similar houses stretched out, with taller buildings scattered in between. About a mile away, I could see where the town of Kirai suddenly ended- that was where the stone pillar dropped off. I then noticed we were in shadow- one of the pillar cities stood above us, ominously.

'We've got to find a way out of this city. Get back to Ablehenea, my home...' Nilus commented.

'We need to get you a crutch, first.' I replied. The street we were on was short, and opened into a large, more busy paved street about three hundred feet from us. I could see dozens of Hebii walking around; and we would be slaughtered on the spot if we even stepped out there. At least, in our current shape and attire.

There were several laundry lines running between buildings- I snatched a pair of dust cloaks for us from one. Dust cloaks were a Hebii type of clothing, made to protect the wearer from the harm of a sandstorm. They were long and almost reached the feet, and they also had long hoods that covered most of the face. The pair we had were white, and stained brown from the sand. they were a bit big on us, and dragged. But they fit. I then tore a metal pipe from a nearby wall that was near and handed it to Nilus. It was the right size for an uncomfortable crutch.

'When we get out there, just stay silent. Don't draw any attention, and we need to find a ride. Preferably a Dust Hopper.' I whispered.

'Dust Hopper?' Nilus asked.

'You'll see. Stay quiet.'

We stepped out onto the street. Due to the landscape, land vehicles were almost always impractical- there wasn't simple enough solid land for them, nor was there enough materials to build bridges. So the streets were simply full of people- all Hebii. Monochrome signs advertised to join the military, and others asked for an end to the chaos. A few called for death of all the other species. The street itself was busy, but there was still plenty of room to move.

Nilus and I stayed together, keeping our heads down. But I kept an eye out for something important. There was one land vehicle that could get us out of here; a Dust Hopper.

Dust Hoppers were, as the name suggested, extremely lightweight. The chassis itself was made of hollow piping and a few thin metal plates, and a good deal of the mechanics were showing. The front was thin, with a ramped shape to the cockpit. The cockpit itself had two seats; one behind the other. Two wheels were bolted onto the sides of the Hopper, with very thin, strong tires and a few reinforced spokes to keep them attached, similar to a bicycle wheel.

Behind the cockpit was the small, 4 cylinder engine. It powered the whole machine, but it managed to get a good deal of power out of its meager gas tank. Behind that was the rear wheel- a much larger and wider version of the front ones, with a similar design. The back wheel was nearly six feet in height, two wide- the front wheels were only a third of that size. The back wheel, too, was held on with powerful suspension that was attached to the engine case and a plate of metal that worked as the wheel hood. The wheel hood also held what constituted the "hopper" part of the name- there was a large metal rectangular prism on the top that was about as long as the Dust Hopper itself. This prism held a pair of folded-up glider wings that could be unfurled at a moment's notice via a pair of levers inside the cockpit. The levers, when the glider is to be used, are moved upwards into the active position, and then can be moved up and down to tilt the wings. The Dust Hopper could glide, but just for long enough to cross the larger gaps between pillars in Azuma; this shattered land.

But Dust Hoppers were expensive due to the design and lightweight materials, and few actually owned one. We would have to get lucky- otherwise, our chances of escape were slim.

We turned down a side alleyway, keeping our heads low. We were doing our best to avoid the pillar city behind us- there was a chance that someone military could try to halt our progress.

The alleyway ended in an open cul-de-sac that had residences surrounding it, and a few Hebii milled about. A few children played in the sand- and a single Dust Hopper rested behind one of the buildings, facing out towards the open dunes. It was painted white with grey streaks, and was well loved. Best yet, it had two seats.

We crossed the open area, getting a few unsteady glances from the locals. We neared the house- and a soldier who came out from the main street appeared, pointing at us. Two more came out from behind him, and all were carrying shotguns.

'Hey, you two! Yes, in the cloaks! Stop!' She yelled. Fuck- My tail must of been obvious under the cloak.

'Run, Nilus! For the Hopper!' I cried, trying to pull her along. but she couldn't run- right. I picked her up and then continued running towards the Hopper, dodging the children. The soldiers fired at me, with a good deal of buckshot hitting me in the back. I cried out in pain, staggered, but kept running unsteadily.

I tossed Nilus into the back of the Dust Hopper, leapt into the front seat- Hoppers had no doors- and pulled cord that started the engine. The little engine growled into life, and I slammed down the gas. The soldiers fired at us as we drove off.

'Azeus- they shot you! You alright?' Nilus asked, tossing off the massive cloak. I threw mine out the side as well.

'I'll be fine. Just a flesh wound.' I replied. We were nearing the edge of the pillar, so I unfurled the glider wings, and they opened with a clang. The Hopper took off, landing on the next pillar quickly. I slammed the wings shut and kept driving. 'We need to get to Ablehenea, make sure your father knows you're still alive. No matter what. So, you homeland's in the west, and the sun rises from that direction.' I stated, noticing the fact that it was nearing noon. I turned the Dust Hopper sharply, and headed towards the sun. 'So, we need to follow the sun. Hang on.'

The Dust Hopper jumped another pillar, this time not having to unfurl the wings. The short jump ended with us slamming to the ground, but the suspension canceled out most of the shock.

'Hey, I found this...' Nilus muttered, handing me a revolver from the back.

'That isn't going to help us much. Keep a hold of it though; may later.' I replied. Nilus nodded and put it away.

We kept driving, undisturbed for five minutes. But the calm of the engine and occasional crashing landing was broke by the sounds of more engines, above us. I turned the small rear-view mirror and spotted them.

A battalion of fighter planes, flying almost wing to wing in a V, was above us. There were nine of them.

I didn't realize that the Hopper had a small radio, mounted above the drivers seat on a crossbeam. It crackled to life.

'Hello, plaything.' A deep voice said through the small device. Noemon... My torturer. My violator. One of the two people in this world that I want to kill.

'Noemon! You bastard! Stay away!' I screamed.

'Oh, you little fluffy plaything. Listen to your master, now.' Noemon growled again.

'What in Rui's name is wrong with that one? Wait, he's...' Nilus started.

Bullets thundered down around us, hitting some of the Hopper. One grazed my leg, and I yipped out in pain.

'...And your master wants you back, plaything.'

'You are no one's master, you god-damned insane serpent!' I screamed, leaping the Hopper. I unfurled the wings, gaining altitude to land on a higher pillar. I slammed them back in again when we landed. Ahead of us was nothing but pillars at varying heights. There was almost nothing that worked as cover, and our only weapon was the revolver with six bullets.

'Nilus, hang on tight!' I yelled, crushing the gas pedal to the floor. The Hopper's tiny engine roared out, and we gained speed. Another volley of bullets came crashing down, shattering the windshield and almost hitting the engine.

'We've got to stay out of their fire!' Nilus yelled, taking aim at the planes that were much higher than us with the revolver. I pushed the gun down.

'Don't use that ammo; it'll do nothing.' I said to her.

'Ooohhh, plaything, all of the wonderful fun we'll have if you stop that go-kart.' Noemon said. 'Come back to your master.'

'Why in Rui's name does he only regard you...?' Nilus muttered.

'Because he's a psychotic monster that's intent on raping every god-damned person he can get his blood-stained claws on!' I screamed, ripping the radio from the bar and tossing it out the side. Another volley came down, not really hitting us. But suddenly, the planes split up they were coming from all angles, and the one in the lead- the one I presumed to be Noemon's- flew out ahead.

Oh lord, what are they doing?' Nilus cried. I realized exactly what their intentions were though; if they came from all angles, it would be nearly impossible to dodge their bullets. We would be ripped apart.

'This is going to be a close one!' I yelled, as we neared a drop off. There were two pillars, one up high the other lower, and the higher one was to our left. I unfurled the wings, and instead of going to the one directly ahead, and I went up to the higher pillar. The planes convened on the pillar I should have gone on, the bullets only just grazing us from one of the planes. I then leapt down from the pillar, gliding over one smaller pillar and onto another.

Noemon's plane turned sharply in the air, following now closely behind us. He was keeping his speed low- those planes can easily outrun the Hopper. But why?

I noticed two small bomb bay doors open up on his plane from my rear-view mirror.

'This is going to be rough!' I yelled over the gunfire that was coming from all ends. I unfurled the wings and pulled up- we took flight early, just as dozens of heat seeking missiles were launched. The volley of explosives flew under us. Some turned back for us, but three blew up the other planes, leaving us with six in total. Five more missiles came at us when we landed on the next, lower pillar. I slammed the wings shut.

'Give me the revolver!' I yelled, trying to hold a hand out for the gun. Wind and dust were hitting us hard.

'Here!' Nilus shouted, handing me the gun. I took it, and as the missiles were coming towards us, I fired. It took five bullets to detonate one of the missiles, but that caused a chain reaction between the rest. The resulting massive explosion took down two more planes, and the remaining three reconvened. I put the revolver by my side.

'Good lord, Azeus! You're a good shot!' Nilus yelled.

'Good shooting isn't going to save us.' I muttered to myself. We leapt across another gap, and the Hopper shook violently with the rough landing. We were pretty badly damaged.

Another volley smashed into us, one tearing into my seat, and thus, my back. I cried out in pain, not realizing Nilus had been hit in the arm as well. The Hopper started shaking as it drove, and the motor seemed to be having a hard time.

We leapt another gap, and this one I opened the wings for. It was massive, and as we glided over, I could see lights below. One of the Hebii slums.

As we flew over, Noemon launched more missiles, and they all missed. They exploded on the wall of the pillar in front of us, and created a massive landslide we barely got up. The rubble fell towards the slum.

'No! All of those people!' Nilus yelled.

'These bastards don't care who they kill.' I replied. I was starting to get worried now about the Hopper- we had left the city far behind, travelled at least fifty miles, and yet, we hadn't run out of fuel. We would soon- and then we would be dead.

I zoomed onwards, making the Dust Hopper gain flight again to cross a whole pillar. But I could see something in the distance. A sandstorm.

'There's our chance! Cover your eyes, Nilus!' I yelled, pointing to the storm. The two planes that were flying alongside Noemon broke off, but he stayed after us. I could just imagine him laughing, thinking that even a sandstorm couldn't help us.

'Won't those winds pick us up?!' Nilus exclaimed.

'Not if we stay on the ground, without the wings!' I yelled in response. Noemon fired off another volley, and one of the shots shredded our front left tire. I was having a hard time keeping the thing steady.

I leapt another pillar, with my wings out for the last time. As we landed, one was torn off from the wind, ripping with the sound of grinding metal and tearing fabric. I quickly put the other wing away so that we wouldn't be blown around further because of it. I screeched to a halt, throwing up a cloud of dust. The sandstorm was upon us- and Noemon wasn't so lucky.

The large fighter plane shook in the air and then suddenly dipped down from its left wing, smashing straight into the sand only a hundred feet from us. One wing snapped off, and fell from the pillar. The other stood up in the air. Nilus cried out in fright, but I held onto the revolver tightly, pointing it at the plane. The plane was burning- and then two figures smashed their way out of the cockpit.

The first, a small Hebii with black scales, was more of thrown out, and was writhing on the ground, in pain. The second was Noemon, wearing the normal Hebii soldier's uniform- grey fabric, with black boots and a dark grey sleeve for the tail. It was a button up shirt, but his was open and flapping in the wind, revealing his muscular chest that had a massive scar on it. His neck had a crescent shaped-scar on it, and his red scales stood out vibrantly against the sand. Red like blood.

'I'm impressed. Never thought a plaything like you could take down seven planes with nothing but a pistol and a sandstorm.' Noemon growled, with a devilish grin on his face. He leveled a familiar gun at my face that had two barrels- my old gun!

'Shut your mouth, you demon! You've hurt so, so many people- and that has to stop!' I roared, walking towards him with my gun pointed at his face. He slowly walked towards me as well.

'Oh please, plaything. Your master's here now, for you. Why can we not just go back to Hametsu, have fun? Hahaha...' Noemon laughed, rolling his neck as he did so.

'Azeus! Careful!' Nilus yelled, trying to get out of the damaged Dust Hopper.

My hand was shaking, for Noemon was the only time I had ever wanted to kill someone. We stopped only a few feet away from each other.

'What's wrong, plaything? Can't kill your master?' Noemon growled, smiling on one side.

'Rot in the Abyss.'

I fired, and blood spurted out from the side of his face. He split a grin from the other end- and then toppled over. I took my gun from him, and then spit on his body. I tossed the revolver away.

'You got him! But we're stuck.' Nilus said, staggering over to me. She was covering her face with her arm, trying to protect herself from the wind. But she was right- the plane had crashed, and our Dust Hopper did still work, but it wouldn't get far without a wing.

'I've got an idea.' I said, leading her over to the crashed plane. The body of the plane had landed in a way to where the cockpit was protected from the wind, and the one standing wing covered from some as well. We ducked behind the wing, and I yanked the injured co-pilot over.

'What's your name, man?!' I yelled.

'Ah- Ganix! Just Ganix! Please don't hurt me!' The frightened Hebii exclaimed, holding his arms up as I pointed my gun at him. He was covered in small scrapes from the crash. My aim was still unsteady.

'I won't if you just help us out. They should recognize your voice- call for pickup, say that you captured us and need a Rotor Frame.' I said. Rotor frames were a unique Hebii invention- the flying vehicle had the shape of an artillery shell, but flatter at the bottom than the top. It flew horizontally, held aloft by one massive rotor on its roof and a smaller one at the end of a single metal beam that stuck from the back. What would be the point of the shell was mostly glass, and the pilot controlled from there. The center part of the Rotor Frame was open, and could hold up to four passengers. It had no roof, but a single beam that held on the main rotor. They usually had a single machine gun, and a few armor plates in the front.

'But... this storm will knock it from the sky!' Ganix exclaimed.

'And it'll take at least half an hour for it to get here- this storm should be gone by then!' I yelled, thrusting my gun into his chest. Nilus looked astonished.

'Ah- alright, alright! I'll do it! Just give me a minute to get a good connection!' Ganix yelled, crawling over to the cockpit that was half full of sand. The radio still worked, so he sat there trying to get a connection.

'You were a bit aggressive, don't you think?' Nilus asked.

'I wouldn't of shot him anyways. But you have to understand, I'm a bit angry...' I replied. 'That bastard over there did so much to me, and now I'm glad he's finally dead. But the one who commanded that I receive such unjust punishment- to the both of us- is still out there. And he probably has plenty more Noemons.'

'I'll be there for you, Azeus. We won't be caught again- although you seem to be the one helping me.'

'It's to save lives. Yours, and so many others.'

'Father will probably still attack anyways.' Nilus admitted.

'But our torturer is dead- the only one that deserves the blame now is Agenor.' I replied.

'But we'll need to send in an army to even tackle Hametsu.'

'Send in a few assassins.'

'I'll suggest it.' Nilus remarked. Before I was able to reply, Ganix scurried over.

'Frame's coming in ten minutes!' He yelled. And as he did so, the storm slowed and then stopped. Ganix looked around, confused.

'Well, we got lucky, for once. Thank you, Rui...' Nilus muttered.

'Am I safe? Free to go?' Ganix asked.

'Well, I certainly have no reason to kill you. But there's not really anywhere to go. Dust Hopper's busted.' I replied. 'Should be space on the Rotor Frame; once it drops Nilus and I off, it can take you wherever you need to go.' I said.

'Wait, you're going to Ablehenea, right?' Ganix asked. Nilus nodded. 'Then I'm coming with you! They'd execute me if I came back!'

'Then you're free to come. I have no grudge against you; you probably just handed that bastard Noemon the tools of agony.' I said.

'I didn't even like him! No one did! I was just forced into being his aide when no one else would!'

'And our band of exiles continues to increase.' Nilus commented, shrugging.

I got up from behind the plane and winced in pain. Some of my injuries were still bleeding.

'Hey, Ganix- you mind lending us a shirt?' Nilus asked. Ganix nodded hurriedly, and then yanked his uniform top off. He handed it to Nilus.

'Sure, but what are you going to- oh.' Ganix started, but he stopped when Nilus started tearing the fabric into strips for bandages. I was able to patch up the bullet wounds on my back, side, and arm. Nilus bandaged her wounds too.

In the distance, I could see a Rotor frame coming in. I pulled Nilus behind the wreck of the plane. Ganix ducked down too.

'No, you fool- stay standing. They need to pick you up first. Then just say Noemon's coming up behind you, and then we get the pilot to take us to Ablehenea.' I said.

'Oh, right!' Ganix replied, standing back up and waving his arms. After a minute, the Rotor Frame was hovering above us, with a rope ladder hanging from it. The Frame was special, because it could hover. Ganix started climbing, and I helped Nilus up the ladder.

Ganix got up first.

'Hey, soldier- where's Noemon?' A voice- the pilot's- asked.

'Coming up just behind...' Ganix stated, as I climbed up with Nilus just behind. The pilot- an average build Hebii with dark blue scales and green eyes- was peering around his seat when we came up.

'Hey, Noemon! Welcome on- Shit!' The pilot started, but he stopped as soon as he saw my gun pointed at him. Nilus got up behind me, out of breath.

'Take us to Ablehenea. Now.' I growled.

'Right, right. Don't shoot me.' The pilot said, scrambling to turn the Frame. Nilus and I grabbed onto some of the handles hanging from the ceiling, and Ganix hung onto the side. I put the gun away. We were on our way to safety.

It was a long ride to Ablehenea- at least eighty miles or so. But the Rotor Frame was fast for its size, and could easily make it in half an hour.

But, only after half an hour, the deserts turned to grass. and the shattered land had turned to flat ground. It was noon, so I couldn't tell where west was. I went over to the pilot and put my gun to his head again.

'We should be near the border of Ablehenea, pilot. Where are we?'

'We should be! Look- compass!' The pilot replied, pointing to a compass that was sitting on a small ledge. It said we were going west, so I picked it up and tilted it. The needle didn't even move.

'You compass is broken.' I grimaced.

'What? that doesn't make any- shit, you're right. I'm sorry. I don't know where we are.' The pilot remarked.

'Well, wherever we are, we're either going to Ablehenia or Severnaya, so we'll be safe anyhow. Keep flying in the same path, pilot.'

'You two will, but I won't! Damn it, most of the Vaux military despises my kind!' Ganix yelled, scared.

'I'll do what I can, Ganix. Calm yourself, and shut it.'

We flew onwards. And I was certainly right about Severnaya.

'Hebii Rotor Frame, halt your advance or be destroyed!' A Vaux yelled at us through the radio.

'Do not fire, I repeat, do not fire! This Frame is carrying I, Azeus Vaux, and the daughter of the Nizani naval commander, Nilus Disanti, along with an innocent Hebii and the pilot. Do not shoot!' I yelled.

'Brother, what in the seven hells are you doing on a Rotor Frame? Land that; we'll get a plane to you soon!' The voice said. 'Glad to see a friend.' The radio switched off.

'Land, Pilot.' I said, and the pilot nodded.

'Brother?' Nilus asked.

'My species counts each other as one big family. But I'm always alone, it seems...' I replied, hanging my head low.

'Hey, you've always got a friend in the Nizani. If any of my kind even gives you the slightest bit of grief, tell me. I'll get my father to take care of them personally.' Nilus said, smiling. She hugged me as the Frame landed.

'Hey, what about me? Your "Brothers" may just kill me if they want!'

'Ganix, as I said, stay calm. I'll vouch for you.' I replied. We stepped onto the swaying grasslands as the rotors slowed to a stop. The pilot stepped out and stared at the sky.

'You're not afraid, pilot?' I asked.

'I have a name, you know. Lex.' The pilot said. 'And no, not really. I knew death would come soon. And if doesn't shortly, well then, it'll come later.'

'You aren't helping, Lex!' Ganix replied, irritated.

Nilus laughed quietly, and then leaned over to me. 'I see what you mean, Azeus. The Hebii soldiers don't seem to want to fight, usually.' She whispered in my ear. I nodded, and then spotted the plane coming.

The Vaux plane that was sent was a larger bomber, with three engines- one on each wing, one on the front- and was painted a light red. The design was similar to the bomber we stole from Hametsu, but lacked turrets. The guns were mounted on the wings.

The plane landed a few hundred feet ahead of us, and a door opened on the side. Three Vaux soldiers, in their pilots' gear, hopped out. the regulation Vaux pilot wears a leather jacket with crimson cargo pants, heavy boots, and a black undershirt, with a leather cap and goggles. Some had a red cloth ring halfway up their tails. All three were carrying rifles, but when they spotted me, they waved happily. They came over.

'Brother! You and the lady are in bad shape- come on, we'll get you some proper medical supplies! And you two Hebii-' The lead pilot started. 'Take that Frame of yours and get the hell out of here. We won't shoot you down.'

'Thank you. Come on, Ganix- we'll head out to Ablehenea. Perhaps we'll see you there, Nilus.' Lex said, pulling Ganix into the Rotor Frame.

'I'll look you up when I get back. Thanks for the help.' Nilus said. The Frame took off, taking the two Hebii with it.

The lead pilot watched them go, and then turned to us. 'No kidding about innocent. Come on, Brother. We'll take you and Ms. Disanti to a hospital. What happened to you...?'

We set out, with about half an hour's flight to go before we reached the Vaux capital city, Nurakami. One of the pilots- the oldest- explained things to us as we went, while the other two piloted the bomber. The oldest pilot was at least twenty, while the other two were just a bit older than me. The oldest pilot personally had a few patches on his jacket, and had a scar on his hands that pointed to the fact that a knife had gone through both at once, at one time. The dark orange furred Vaux was named Lycoris Vaux.

'Azeus Vaux- I swear I've heard that name before. Nilus- I do know hers; I make it a personal job to pay attention to the generals of all the armies. Officers have to do that, I call it training for such a promotion. But one thing's for sure, Malek will be glad to see you alive. But Azeus, why is it that I know your name?'

'Probably from the old story I was named after.' I remarked, fixing some of my bandages. The blood had drenched them, and they needed replacing soon. Nilus was asleep, her head in my lap. 'My mother thought I would be a hero to the Vaux, slaughtering their opponents so that the Vaux could live freely. But I know she'd be much happier to see that fact that I try to stop the death.'

'Ah yes, I remember the story now! My mother used to tell it to me as a pup, too. The Vaux pilot who risked everything to stop the last War Machine of Lore. Stopped the Hebii in their tracks, and stopped the majority of the frontline fighting. It hasn't been nearly as bad since then.'

'At least, that's what we're told.' I commented.

'Brother, don't doubt the old tales. They have to at least have some sort of truth.'

'Oh, Lycoris, I don't doubt the fact that my namesake does have some truth. I'm just wondering how the war could have been worse. Thousands die, week by week. I was trying to help some Hebii avoid an invasion, and because of the war, their general thought I was a spy! He sent me to be tortured! Fuck, his torturer god damned violated me, in more ways you'll ever know!' I snapped. I fell backwards, and hung my head in my hands. 'I'm so damn glad he's dead...'

'...No man, no matter who they are- I don't fucking care what species- should have had to deal with what you and Nilus did.' Lycoris growled. 'Did your torturer do it to her too...?'

'She'll have the physical scars. I'll also have the mental ones.'

'Brother, the Vaux are there for you. You are kin. Do remember that.'

'Most days, it doesn't seem that way. The military hates me, most of my biological family's dead, and the idea of a peace-bringer doesn't sit well in the minds of most. After Nilus and I recuperate and heal, give me two days to visit my father. That old man's all I got left. Then get me on the first ride to Ablehenia, where Nilus is going. Preferably with her.' I growled, not even looking up.

'I understand. And when I manage to get the rank of an officer, with some power, I'll do my god-damned best to restore some of your honor. You're a good kid, Azeus. Young, but strong, honorable, and all you really need is a good backing. I need to go help co-ordinate the landing, we'll get some stretchers up here for when we land, take some stress off of your legs. The doctors at Nurakami are-'

'Please, just be quiet.' I said to him, shuddering. Tears fell from between my battered and blood stained fingers.

'As you wish.' Lycoris replied, nodding and stepping away. My body may have been in agony, but it didn't stop my despair. And I couldn't help wondering, through the pain- had that bastard Noemon survived, somehow? I never checked for a pulse. Never finished him off for sure. And the blood came from the side. I had shot him in the side of the face.

The blood loss may have just killed him, so may have the bullet, but then again... he may still be alive. There was that chance.

Then again, I think I was just being paranoid. I hope I was.

'Come in, ground control? This is Bomber pilot Lycoris Vaux, we're coming in with two badly injured people; one young Vaux, one Nizani adult female. The Nizani's valuable too, but be careful with the both of them. They can walk, but due to the number of injuries and the bandages they're wearing, I wouldn't have them walk when they don't need to. We'll be landing at the southern landing strip, ETA: five minutes.' I heard Lycoris say.

'We read you, airplane. We'll be receiving you. Welcome back to Nurakami.' The voice on the other side replied.

The plane slowly went downwards, towards a city that was actually friendly. Such a relief, for now.

When we landed, Nilus and I were taken away on stretchers to the Nurakami general hospital, in separate ambulances.

Nurakami was an odd city. It was a combination of pillar and normal cities, with the well-armored pillar city standing tall in the center. The buildings were built from stone, carved up from local quarries and were well constructed. At least two million lived in the massive capital, including my father.

When mother had died, we moved here, where I could be in better military training. My father, Urdin, had taken a small house on the outskirts of the town and started spending our family money on booze, while I was sent off to a camp where I learned to kill. My father was trying to stop drinking, but it was hard for him. He was a violent drunk, and I remember many a night where I hid under my bed from his drunken rages.

But he was my father, and I still cared for him. He, albeit flawed, was the only thing I had left.

After about ten minutes of driving, they rushed me into the massive, six floor hospital. The next three days were a blur. They operated on me, removing shrapnel and bullets, and then patched me up in any way they could. Memory returned to me on the fourth day, in the morning.

I was eating breakfast when someone knocked on the door into my room. I put the meager breakfast aside and tried to get up from bed, wincing as I put my heavily bandaged feet down. They had attached crude metal false toes so that I could walk properly. I also had a bandage wrapped around my head that made my ears point almost downwards, and more bandages besides. I still had one wrapped around my stomach.

I sat up in bed, straightened my medical gown, and then yelled for them to enter. Nilus came in.

She was wearing a similar gown as I was, but she was more badly injured. A cast covered part of her head, including her missing eye, and bandages wrapped her left upper arm. I couldn't see more, but she was also using a crutch, and her right leg was in a splint. She smiled as she entered, leaving the door open.

'Father's going to be here soon.' She said. The Nizani sat down at the foot of my bed.

'Malek Disanti. Well, I'm glad. I really am. After all of this shit, you can actually go home and be safe.' I replied, frowning. 'I still have to continue my wandering. Continue to try to save people.'

'Your cause is true, Azeus. And do know that you'll always have a friend in the Nizani. Really, you will. Without you, I'd either still be in that damned cage, dead, or worse...'

'My people won't recognize that. They'll just keep killing.'

'This war will end, one day.'

'When will that be? When your grandchildren's children die? When their children perish? This war has been going on for so god-damned long that no one even remembers why it started! Why are the people of Vitria even fighting...? Why...?' I said, falling back in the bed and crying again. Nilus pulled me back up and in close.

'Perhaps one day, we can turn the battlefields to wheat fields, the weapon factories to clothing factories, and the corrupt will be removed from power. One day, the poor Hebii can see the sunlight again, and the Murria will stop seeing as as rejects. Perhaps, one day, the light will shine down on this world again, when the clouds of war finally part.'

'Well said...' I muttered. Nilus let go of me, and I sat up straight. She got up, grabbed a crutch, and started towards the door.

'Father will want to see me first, obviously. But he'll be in here soon.' Nilus remarked, and she left. I smiled and laid back in the bed again, trying to rest.

An hour later, there was another knock at the door. This one was much more powerful.

'Come in!' I yelled, sitting up. A Nizani walked in, clad in a dark blue officer's suit.

He had black feathers, and a viciously hooked grey beak to match. The Nizani also had bright yellow eyes, and a scar over one. He had a big smile on his face, and carried a cane under one arm. His uniform was decorated with at least two dozen medals.

'Azeus Vaux?' He asked in a powerful voice, well suited to speaking in front of a crowd.

'That's me.' I nodded. The Nizani- who I now noticed came in with a pair of armored Nizani guards- sat down at the foot of my bed.

'Then you're a Vaux who I owe so, so much to. I'm Malek Disanti, and you saved my daughter. And for that, I thank you. I could not thank you enough. She's one of the few reasons why I stay where I am, and she's the only one that keeps me sane. I love her dearly; you understand that, right?' Malek said to me. I nodded. 'Of course you do. Well, my lovely daughter has explained what happened, and the madness that went on out there. Agenor will pay, I promise you that. He caused so much pain to you two that cannot go unpunished. My lovely daughter is now missing an eye, and will bear the scars of Hebii torture for the rest of her life, as you will. And I was told of the monster Noemon...' Malek continued, lowering his head.

'But let's put that behind us.' Malek added, raising his head back up. 'I am in a great debt to you, Azeus. You saved my daughter, and thus saved me to a lesser degree. If there is anything that I can do to reward you, do not hesitate to ask.'

'Actually, there is something you can do...'

A week later, I was walking towards my old house in a new set of clothing. Malek had gotten me a new leather jacket, pants, and scarf- well, all of the gear I had before Hametsu. But what he had also done was amazing; he gave me a new plane. It wasn't in Nurakami, but in Ablehenea, where they would be leaving in a few days. They had agreed to take me there. But I wanted to at least spend a night with my father.

The old house stood on a lonely road, with the city on the horizon behind us. I was two floors, with white paint on the outside. The old roof had moss growing on it, and the garden was overgrown. But I could tell father was still living there; our fifteen year old jeep was still parked on the side of the road outside.

The path to the front door was cracked, and plants grew through the old cobble. As I walked, I stopped at something.

There was a toy plane on the ground, rusting away with one wing buried in the dirt. It was a small replica of a Vaux bomber- and it was one of my old toys. What was it doing out here? Did Urdin throw it away, but did it fall from the garbage? I wouldn't blame him.

I pocketed the four inch plane and stepped up to the door. The door itself was wooden an unpainted, with an old brass knob. I knocked.

'Who is that?' A deep voice yelled.

'It's me, father!' I replied. There was the sound of a man running to the door, and then the loud clanging of several locks coming undone. Then the door swung open, and my father was standing there.

Urdin Vaux was an older man, in his fifties. His fur was greying somewhat, and time had not been very good on his teeth, for he was missing a few. He was wearing an old unbuttoned button up shirt with a brown shirt underneath, plus a wrinkled pair of blue jeans. He hugged me tightly as soon as he saw me.

'Azeus! My god, it's been far too long!' He exclaimed, embracing my happily. I cried out in pain, and he let go. 'Wait- what happened to you? Why are you injured so badly?'

'A very long story, father. May I come inside?' I asked. Urdin nodded and let me in.

The front door opened to a thin, sparsely furnished hall that was painted a shade of tan. We went into a doorway in the side of the hall, and entered the living room. That room was rather empty too, with a single couch on one side, an armchair in the other, and one of those new Television things to the far side.

'Well, sit yourself down. You alright to do that?' Father asked. I nodded and sat down on the arm chair. He sat down on the couch nearby. 'So, boy, why you back? Lead another group of soldiers to victory, win a raid, or something?'

I started to speak and then remembered that my father thought I was still in the military. But I told the truth.

'Saved a life.' I replied. 'And the vicious way to saving that life ended with me here, so I thought to visit.'

'Ah yes, I think I heard of this... Nilus Disanti, wasn't it? That bird girl.'

'They're called Nizani, father. Kind people. Nilus was the daughter of their naval commander.'

'Well then, at least it was worth it, eh? You want a drink? I've got beer, bourbon, wine, and... er, water.'

'Just water, then.' I replied.

'You sure? That bourbon's top notch.'

'I'm sure, father.'

Urdin shrugged and then walked into the next room; the kitchen. 'Suit yourself.'

We were silent for a few moments as he got me a glass of tap water, and poured himself a drink. I was worried already- it wasn't even that late and he was pouring himself more alcohol.

Soon, he came back in with a glass of brown bourbon in one hand, and a glass of water in the other. He handed me the water and sat back down.

'So, how has life been? And how did you save that woman?'

And I told him all that happened to me. I left out Noemon though.

Three hours later, the sun had set and I had just finished telling Father what happened to me. He was amazed, and a bit astounded.

'They should let you lead a charge against the Hebii for what happened. This is an outrage- you did nothing wrong.' Urdin growled.

'I was just trying to stop the fighting. Stop the deaths.'

'Boy, the only way there'll ever be a victor in this war is if the other sides get slaughtered. That's the only god damned-way. Stop trying to halt it.'

'Father, we can live in peace with the people of this world, we do not have to fight.'

'Even after all of this time, you still hang on to that silly belief that peace will bring this war to an end? Damn it, boy!' Urdin yelled, slamming his sixth glass of alcohol on the armrest of the couch. Some of it spilt, and I quickly got up.

'I'm going to leave you for now. Stop drinking, father. Seriously, please stop. Think rationally.' I growled back at him, and I stepped out of the room. I then walked calmly down the hall and up the stairs at the far end. My old room was right at the top, and I entered.

I was right about Father mostly clearing out the room. My old shelves were empty of my books, and the toys I used to play with as a child were mostly gone. All that remained were my bright red bed sheets, a propaganda poster for the Vaux army that I loved dearly, and a few figurines of different mythical heroes. One sat alone, on a desk in the corner of the dark room. I picked it up.

The figurine was of an older general, long dead now. He was about three inches in height and wore a long coat that fluttered in the non-existent wind. He was saluting nobody, and was standing upon a dead Murria. I couldn't remember the plastic general's name, so I set him down and then laid on the bed. I tossed my coat off and tried to sleep- my feet stuck a few inches off the end. But I found rest.

I was woken by a thunderous pain to my injured side, and I toppled off of the bed. I cracked open my eyes to find my father above me, a beer bottle clenched in one hand. He had kicked me.

'Boy! You don't deserve rest! You don't deserve kindness!' He yelled at me. He delivered another kick as I was trying to get up, this one to the shin. I cried out in pain.

'You disgrace your mother's memory, Azeus! She would be writhing in her grave right now!' Urdin roared, this time kicking me hard in the head. I curled up in a ball to try to protect myself. This was not the first time he had beaten me. If he was anyone else, I would grab my gun from my jacket and blow him in two, but he was my father...

I received another swift boot to the head, this one to the side of the face.

'Father, please! Stop...!'

'No, damn it! You do not deserve mercy!' Urdin roared again, this time smashing the beer bottle on me. I could feel the beer trickling down my side, and running under the bandages. It burned.

'Your mother would be horrified to know that you save our enemies, horrified to know that your meddling causes more Vaux to die! To die like she did!'

I was crying in fear now. These tears were not something that I could hold in, not for long at least.

'I'm trying to stop that! I'm trying to make people realize that kindness can save lives, not end them!' I cried out between the blows.

'She died in vain, because someone had spared that pilot's life! Would you spare the man that killed her? You you save the life of the damned serpent that slew your mother?!' Urdin screamed. He picked me up- I was really light due to everything that had happened- and then threw me into the shelf. I screamed out in pain, and then landed hard. The few things that remained on the shelf fell on me in a cloud of dust.

'You aren't deserving of anything.' Urdin growled, drunkenly staggering out. I remained on the floor, crying. Father, why? You're all that I have left. Why must you do this to me? Why...?

The next morning I did not leave. I wanted my Father to realize what he was doing, even if it was difficult. I entered the living room, limping badly. I also had a blackened eye, and plenty more bruises. The gashes on my side from where he had cut me with the bottle had stopped bleeding, but there was a small pool of my blood in the room above us from them. Urdin was watching TV, and drinking a beer with a breakfast of eggs. I came in and smacked the beer away.

'Father! Please, stop drinking! You are ruining everything.' I cried. The beer glass shattered on the ground, staining the thin carpet. Like how my blood and tears stained my fur.

'Azeus! Why...?' Urdin started, but then he saw my face. He turned away quickly. 'I...I...' He stuttered.

'I what? Father, you are just wasting your life away. You spend almost all your money on alcohol. You don't have a job. And you beat your own child, again and again. This is why I don't stay, Father. This is why I don't stay.'

'Son. Sit yourself down, and just see what's on TV...' Father said. I sat down on the chair and looked to the fuzzy screen. The sound was garbled, but I could tell what was going on. They had spotted a Murria force nearby, and they were approaching.

'The Murria. Damn, didn't even think about them.'

'They were sighted last night. They're also saying there's a massive fleet of planes and ground troops- no one knows how they got this far inland, though.' Urdin explained.

As soon as he said that, there was the loud roar of plane engines above us, heading towards the city. We peered out the nearest window, and spotted the Murria Air Force flying towards Nurakami. There were soldiers outside, too. With their guns pointed at us.

'Get down!' I yelled, pulling him from the couch and onto the floor. When the soldiers noticed us looking outside, they had shot inwards. Bullets riddled the walls.

'Azeus, hide! Now!' Urdin roared. He dashed into the kitchen and came out with a large hunting rifle in hand. 'I will not lose you! Not to this!'

'But I can fight!' I shouted, pulling out my gun. Another volley of bullets tore holes in the walls.

'No! I need to make up for the horrible things I've done to you. Hide.' Urdin said, pushing the couch out. There was a small hollow in there, just enough for me to hide in.

'You're my son, Azeus. No matter how old you are, or what happens, I won't put you in danger. I love you. Always have.' Urdin said, closing the couch on the hollow. I had just enough space to see him standing in the center of the room.

'Come on, you god-damned vultures! Fight me!' He roared. 'My son is a true man, and I have wronged him. I will repay for my sins!'

I felt so damn powerless, stuck in the hole in the wall, between the couch and what I presumed to be the oven. Bullets riddled the walls again, this time two struck my father. He staggered but kept on standing. He then went to the nearest window, smashed it out with the butt of his rifle, and started firing.

'This is for all those that have died!' He screamed, firing bullet after bullet at forces I could not see. 'This is for the ones that have yet to fall! And this is for the ones that will be saved!' He kept on screaming, ducking behind the wall to reload. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the house, blowing out the wall he was ducked behind. Urdin Vaux was flung back, out of my sight. But he dashed into the massive hole that the explosion blew, firing wildly. Shots tore through him, but he stood. He ran out of ammo and tossed the rifle away

'And this is for the ones that my dear, valiant son will rescue!' He cried, ripping something from his jacket. It was a grenade- where did he get that?

Urdin pulled the pin and dashed into the bullets flying at him, carrying the grenade and screaming the whole way. Three seconds later, another explosion rocked the house. Bloody body parts went flying into the building, and I ducked back.

'...Father...? Why...?' I cried. He was all that I had left. All that kept me tied to Severnaya. The only reason why I ever returned here. Father, why did you have to do that...? You could have made up for all your wrongs another way. I loved you too, as a father, despite your many flaws. Despite the pain. There was some good in there, and it shone so brightly. Oh, it shone so, so bright.

'For Rui's sake, that Vaux was an insane bastard.' I heard a voice say from outside.

'Killed the majority of our men, too! If they're all suicidal bastards in the city, we may actually be beaten back.' Another voice said. The voices were coming into the house, so I peered out. Two Murria- with straight beaks, weaker talons, and brighter feathers- stepped in. One had green feathers, the other a mix of red and blue. The green one was carrying my father's head, and he tossed it onto the couch. Or, at least, he tried. The head rolled right to the crack, with his face staring right at mine. The bloodshot, dead eyes gazing into my soul.

'Looks like Vaux skulls aren't the most accurate things to throw.' The red and blue one stated.

'I think it's the lack of brain.' The other commented. I growled quietly- these two were horrible. But, after a few minutes, they left. I stayed in the hollow for longer, silently shedding my tears again.

Two hours later, I pushed my way out of the hollow and stepped over my father's head. I didn't even dare look at the mess he must of created, and so I walked towards and out the front door. I then looked out towards the city- it was on fire. The Murria were firebombing Nurakami!

Nilus was in there. So was Malek. If Malek was killed, then the defenses of the Nizani would be weakened. I had to get in there.

I hopped into Father's old jeep, started it up, and drove towards the city. Enough tears have been shed this day.