The two giant wolves began to try licking the face of Ximendos while they sat at a round table together.
Kade
They still like you. They rarely like anyone.
Ximendos petted them.
Ximendos
There names are what again?
Kade
Mine is Aries. He’s the black one.
Kassle
And mine is Virgo. Obviously he’s the white one.
Ximendos
They are enormous.
Kade
We feed them right.
Kassle
They are beautiful creatures.
Ximendos took a drink from the cup in his hand and then lowered it.
Ximendos
I am very grateful for your union with my empire.
Kassle
Don’t mention it.
Kade
We’ve been really bored for the past hundred years without you. It’s about time we get to have some fun.
Kassle
I hope to meet more beautiful people. Are there more, Ximendos?
Ximendos
Yes there are. You will love my children.
Kassle
So you had children with that beautiful woman? How marvelous.
Kade
What are their names?
Ximendos
Ilias and Iris. They are twins.
Kassle
I am eager to meet them. Two rights do make a right.
Kade laughed.
Kade
And if they are ugly, brother? What then?
Kassle
I regret to say I might have to kill myself. Never put up my hopes of beauty. The thought of being disappointed is devastating.
Ximendos
What did you think of me when you first saw me all those years ago?
Kassle’s smile grew wide.
Kade
He was in love with you! Don’t you remember?
Kassle
I’m not one to deny. The humans would call me Bisexual. I’m not very fond of the name. I’m attracted to beauty whether female or male. I care little for the sex. Beauty is all that matters. You are still the most beautiful person I know Ximendos.
Ximendos
I am pleased to here it. I am glad out of the Christ family you two are the ones coming back with me. I always liked you two the best.
Kade
No need to rub us the right way. We’re long time friends. The least we could do is help.
Kassle
The council took the vote and now we will do our best to protect you.
Ximendos
Very well. We shall leave when the sun goes down.
Kade
In that case.
A bottle formed in front of Kade on the table.
Kassle
Isn’t it a little early to be drinking? No class at all.
Kade
What part of drinking involves class?
Ximendos
He has a point. I haven’t had vodka in years.
Three small cups appeared and Kade poured vodka into them.
Kassle
Unlike you, I have class.
Kade
Whatever.
Kade took both of the shots.
Ximendos
To our union.
Ximendos took his.
Suri jumped forward but was stopped in midair.
Iris
You aren’t serious, are you?
Bullets hit the shield of Iris’s body and she fell to the ground and they began to push her back.
Iris
(These damn large bullets)
She lifted her hands and suddenly a wall of energy appeared.
Conor
It’s not working! Why is it not working?
Conor and Emmylou could not believe her eyes.
Elijah
Iris is a protector. She is capable of creating shields at will.
Suri planted her hand on Iris’s face and sent her flying through the nearest wall.
Suri
Get up.
Iris climbed out of the rubble.
Suri
Your ultimate shield technique. I’m impressed.
Iris
I’m glad you like it. Now I’m going to kill that rogue Gears unit. You wait right here.
She began to walk towards Elijah’s unit.
Elijah
Here she comes.
Suri jumped at her but was caught in the air by Iris’s energy.
Iris
I said hold on.
Conor
Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!
Ilias
Are you sure you have what it takes to kill me?
Merdos
I’m almost sure. Even if somehow I die here, I’m fine with that.
Ilias
Death can be so persuasive when you have something to get done.
Merdos’s hands glowed light blue. He took a step forward.
Ilias
I wonder if I’m going to kill you or take you prisoner.
Merdos
I’d prefer the latter.
Merdos appeared next to Ilias with his hand raised to strike.
Ilias
(He’s faster than I am.)
Ilias ducked and shot forward. He jumped onto the left wall and jumped then to the sky.
Ilias
Here goes.
He moved his hand forward and a giant wave of energy shot out of it to the ground completely obliterating the area he was just in. He landed outside of the smoking area.
Merdos
Gotcha.
Merdos slashed for Ilias’s head barely giving him time to duck. Ilias kicked his legs out from under him and punched him in the stomach sending him into the smoke.
Ilias
Child’s play.
Merdos
Oh really?
Merdos hit Ilias straight in the face.
Merdos
Damn!
His hand smashed on the face of Ilias.
Ilias
Expecting something?
Ilias gracefully moved to attack. His open palm hit Merdos in the face. His other hand his neck. Then he punched him in the ribs and then connected his foot to his face. Merdos fell back onto the floor.
Ilias
You know, normally I don’t like playing coy. You were never any threat to me. To perhaps the others you would, but not to me. I have my sister’s ultimate shield to protect me. Even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be so generous in letting you get so close to me.
Merdos stood up.
Merdos
You’re quite lucky.
Ilias
Not luck. No, just prepared.
Merdos spat blood onto the floor.
Merdos
It’s not in our database that you are trained for physical combat.
Ilias
Not many are aware. My hand to hand combat is a surprise I like to employ on my opponents. Our main throne room is protected. How unfortunate for you.
Ilias lifted his arms up with his palms facing Merdos.
Merdos
What does that have to do with-
Ilias
Expand!
It was as if a giant invisible wall flew forward taking Merdos and the structure behind him with it.
Kegan stood before Amros, Hayden, Supriya, Roselyn, and Grey.
Amros
This complicates things further.
Hayden
Do you think your family would work for Ximendos?
Kegan
If I know them as I do, they’d work with him.
Supriya
What business do they have with this world? I can’t imagine
Roselyn
What could she have to gain? Perhaps a seat of power in the empire?
Kegan
I doubt it. The
Grey
Are these people really that powerful?
Kegan
I’d put us on the level of Amros and Hayden.
Grey
I see. So the fight gets tougher. Big deal.
Roselyn
Honey, you don’t understand.
Grey
I think I do. We fight. What more is there to it? The Empire not only has its princes and princesses, it also has this Syn Clan and family of magic users? The odds are stacked against us. The likelihood of death is high. So be it. We fight. We live, we die. Either way, we have to stay on course.
Amros
Wise words, young Grey Kasper. We will. We can’ let this hold us back.
Hayden
We should be able to hold our own against them.
Kegan
I don’t doubt our ability to do so.
Supriya
The Christ family is unpredictable. Even their entrance into this is. Either way, we’ll fight.
Masato entered the room.
Masato
My lords, I bear terrible news.
Amros
Speak.
Masato
The Empire has captured Suri. The children we went to recover forced Merdos to take them to the Empire’s palace.
Masato fell to his knees.
Roselyn
What is wrong?
Roselyn rushed to his side.
Masato
Merdos is in trouble too.
He spat blood onto the ground.
Iris walked towards the Gears units. They began to fire bullets at her. She made a shield to block them as she walked forward.
She is stopping them like nothing.
Bonka
Just keep on her.
Suri screamed through the air and attacked Iris. Each swing missed.
Iris
(Speed and power? If I were a little slower she might be able to hit me.)
Suri
(This isn’t working).
Nicholas
You may come in.
Nicholas said to the person knocking at his door. Luciana walked in.
Luciana
I’m sorry for bothering you so early in the morning. I am Luciana Gunner. I am a general in the army we have here.
Nicholas
Very nice to meet you, Luciana. Titles aren’t important here.
Luciana
I was wondering if you knew where Secretary of Defense Mrs. Molly was.
Nicholas paused for a second after hearing her name.
Nicholas
I’m afraid I have bad news.
He took in a deep breath.
Nicholas
Anna Molly is dead.
Luciana
How did this happen?
Nicholas
The Empire got her. She left on a secret mission on her own with a small fleet of Gears. She was killed personally by Ximendos. The leader of the empire.
Luciana covered her mouth in shock.
Nicholas
I will be speaking to everyone here tomorrow. I have a speech ready and all.
Luciana
I can’t believe it.
She walked towards the door.
Luciana
All is not lost. We still have you.
She left the room.
Nicholas
They still have me.
Iris crushed Suri bit her left thumb and placed it right below her left hand’s middle finger. She ran the blood down to her wrist.
Suri
You have the ultimate shield. I have the ultimate attack. Release!
She smacked her hands together. She began to glow white.
Iris
What is this?
Suri flew forward without Iris even noticing and she bashed Iris with her side sending Iris flying.
Elijah
You all must get out and find cover. Elijah opened the passenger compartment and they exited.
Hey kids.
Get behind those pillars over there.
They began to run towards them.
What do we do now?
Bonka
We cover Suri.
Elijah
There’s nothing else we can do.
Iris stood up slowly.
Iris
Congratulations. That’s the hardest anyone has ever hit me. For a second it honestly felt as if my shield was going to collapse.
Suri
Oh but it will. The power I released is a special one. It makes me unstoppable. I’m sure with a few more hits you will lose your shield. I have a question. Where’s Arkain?
Iris laughed.
Iris
Arkain? That boy hasn’t been here for quite some time.
Suri
Liar!
Iris
I only speak the truth. Cameron stole him away from us.
Suri
Cameron is one of you guys.
Iris
Was one of us. Not anymore.
Suri
What do you mean?
Iris
Cameron, former prince of the Empire, was sentenced to die. He escaped. He took Arkain with him.
Suri
I don’t believe you.
Iris
Why would I lie? Take this place apart, you won’t find him here.
Suri
If that’s true…
It hit her. Her leaving the base was pointless.
Suri
Still. I doubt you’ll let me leave alive.
Iris
You’re correct. Shall we continue?
Suri
Yes.
Suri flew forward and grabbed Iris by the wrist. She began to try and crush it.
Suri
How much longer?
Iris
You won’t break me.
Suri bashed her head into Iris’s head. She would have flown backwards but Suri held her by the wrist and pulled her back. She grabbed her by the neck and slammed her into the floor.
Iris
You won’t win.
Iris tried to use a wall of energy but it broke on Suri’s body.
Suri
I told you that I can’t be moved by your power.
Suri began to punch the shield blocking the face of Iris.
Merdos lied on the ground.
Merdos
(Damn. What power. I may have overestimated myself.)
Ilias
Silly assassin.
Ilias landed above Merdos’s head.
Ilias
You really thought you had a chance.
Ilias grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.
Ilias
Now die.
Ilias blasted towards his check with a sharp energy blast. Merdos kicked off Ilias and the blast hit him on his left side above his hip. It took out of chunk of his skin. He fell to the ground on his knees and held his side.
Ilias
Get on my level.
Ilias kicked his face and Merdos fell backwards.
Nick
Well good morning to you.
Arkain
Morning.
Cameron
Sleep well?
Nick
As well as I could on the ground.
Arkain
You better get use to it.
Nick
I will when I get back.
Cameron
Get back?
Nick
I have to return to the White Coats.
Arkain
Why’s that? You’re one of us.
Nick
I know. I just promised my mom I’d be back. I also have a close friend there I haven’t spoken to since the world changed. If you don’t mind, I’d like to mend things with him. He’s my best friend. Well, human one.
Cameron
Who is your mother?
Nick
Roselyn.
Arkain
The red head?
Cameron
I know the woman. She almost killed me once. Luckily for her I had no more energy at the time.
Nick
Well yeah, I have to see her. Before I came here it was my first time seeing her in almost 4 years. I promised her I’d be back. I don’t break promises. Just like, I promise now, I’ll never leave you guys. New Order until the end.
Cameron
I’ll keep you to it.
Arkain
When will you be back?
Nick
Probably tomorrow. You still need to use the blue ball to contact Amros. They’re planning on attacking tomorrow.
Cameron felt a sudden urge of joy.
Cameron
That’s excellent. That’s when we were planning on attacking.
Arkain
So it’s all settled then. We’ll contact him once you leave.
Nick
I’ll be back in no time. Hell, we might even meet at the Empire’s palace.
Arkain
Just make sure you make it in time. We might need your help.
Cameron
I hope you prove your worth in battle, Nick.
Nick
I will. Aw man, sad sauce. I don’t want to leave you guys.
Arkain
The quicker you go, the faster you’ll be back.
His entire lower half began to turn into green leaves.
Nick
Later gator.
Iris formed her sword in her hand. It was a small white blade. She aimed it for Suri’s face and Suri jumped back.
Suri
That’s your last resort?
Iris winked.
Iris
Looks like you didn’t break me.
Elijah and Bonka fired at Iris sending her flying again.
Suri
Thanks guys!
Emmylou saw him. She has his little dirty face.
Emmylou
Ian?
She said softly. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
Conor
What?
Emmylou walked towards him without even notifying Conor who was watching the battle.
Emmylou
Not Ian. Ian’s dead.
Emmylou thought of the fake Suri.
Emmylou
You’re the black monster.
Emmylou began to raise her gun. She raised it so that she was aiming at the back of Ian’s head.
Emmylou
You’re not Ian!
Syn held Fallen in his arms while petting his head.
Syn
So she appeared?
Vesper
Yes. She also wanted us to deliver a message.
Fallen
What is the message?
Pathion
He doesn’t need to hear it! It’s a waste of time.
Darby
Quiet, Pathion. We’ve heard enough of you.
Pathion stood silent.
Syn
Out with it.
Vesper
She said she loves you.
Munro
Can we trust him fully, brother?
Germ
I believe so.
Germ and Munro stood before
This is far more interesting than I could have ever imagined.
Munro
Why is that?
Ximendos is back! Also, think about all the gifts mommy will get when this is all said and done.
Keir
My dear, you are so materialistic.
Materialistic in a materialistic world. Who could blame me?
She kissed Keir on the nose.
Germ
If Ximendos does not follow through with the deal one of us will have to kill him.
Munro
He is a formable opponent to us all.
Who would do it?
Keir
Kassle and Kade would.
Germ
No.
Keir
You can’t expect your mother to fight him.
Germ
Munro and I will.
Munro smiled.
Munro
I like the sound of that.
Germ
Munro, get your coat.
Munro
Where are we off to?
Germ
We are going window shopping.
Munro
Very well. We shall be back soon, mother.
Go, go. Just don’t be late for dinner.
They exited the room.
Munro
You spoke in code. In front of mother.
Germ
I did. I’d prefer if she were to not find out our plans.
Munro
I don’t think she’d stop us.
Germ
No, she’d want them for herself.
Munro
You are correct. If we’re going to do this, they are ours.
Germ
My thoughts exactly. The Sky Walkers are ours, brother.
Suri grabbed Emmy’s gun and lowered it between the two of them so Ian could not see it.
Suri
Emmylou, that’s really him.
Emmylou
Don’t lie to me, Suri.
Suri
I’m not.
Ian
Emmy!
Ian hugged Emmylou’s waist the hardest he has ever hugged her.
Emmylou
Ian! You’re alive.
She hugged him. Conor ran over.
Conor
Ian! You’re alive!
He hugged Ian too.
Suri
I have to get back.
Elijah and Bonka’s Gears blew up. They landed beside Suri.
Suri
It’s time to end this, Iris.
Iris
It is.
Iris flew forward as Suri did the same. She ducked aiming for the others. She slashed Elijah’s chest and stabbed Bonka through the shoulder. They fell to the ground.
Bitch!
Iris
Fool.
She stabbed him through the rib.
Suri
Damn you!
Suri’s tried to punch her but Iris ducked and aimed her blade for Suri’s face. Suri didn’t flinch.
Iris
Got you.
Iris jumped back. Suri’s cheek was bleeding.
Suri
How?
She said shocked.
Iris
My blade is no ordinary blade. It is my dragon blade. It is my Nya. The only thing that can stop a blade like this is another one or an Eagles sword. Not even your unstoppable attack can protect you from it.
Suri fell to her knees.
Iris
Did I mention the blade on its own posses a paralyzing liquid? Once you’re cut, you can no longer move. Looks like I got you instead.
Ilias stood over Merdos. Merdos looked up at him with his eyes barely open.
Ilias
I must commend you for even attempting to kill me. Though it was futile from the beginning, it is not something all have the audacity to do. Bravo, Merdos of the White Coats.
Merdos
Go fuck yourself, kid.
Ilias laughed softly.
Ilias
A very poor choice of last words. Oh well.
He raised his hand to deliver the death blow.
Masato
I’m ready, Hayden.
Hayden
It took you long enough.
Masato
I’m sorry. Merdos has taken much damage, therefore transferring it to me also. You know our bodies are connected.
Amros
Go. Bring them back.
Hayden
It will be done. Let’s go, Roselyn and Grey.
They each approached Masato and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Ilias
Done.
Gold Chains shot from the body of Merdos. They wrapped themselves around Ilias.
Ilias
A last ditch attack? It won’t save you-
Grey
Yes it will.
Grey rose from the body of Merdos. Two black figures flashed through the air in the same direction passed Ilias.
Ilias
Do you think you can hold me?
Grey
Oh I do. Those chains are unbreakable.
He smiled at Ilias.
Grey
Didn’t think you’d get caught so easily, did you?
Grey lifted Merdos on his shoulders.
Grey
We’ll be seeing you, kid.
He ran in the direction the others went.
Suri could not move.
Iris
Goodbye, Suri.
Iris flew forward with her blade raised to stab in the chest of Suri.
A black figure appeared between them. The black figure held Iris by the wrist keeping the blade pointing up.
Iris
You.
Hayden
You will not kill my daughter.
General Gunner
What is going on out here?
Emmylou, Conor, and Ian turned around to see General Gunner followed by two soldiers standing behind them.
Emmylou
Daddy.
Conor
No!
General Gunner shot at Emmylou with his hand gun. Conor took the bullet. He fell to the ground in front of her.
General Gunner
Heroic, but pointless.
Emmylou
Please don’t, dad.
An arrow hit him in the hand right after he pulled the trigger. He dropped his gun while two arrows hit the two soldiers behind him. He shot Emmylou in the chest. Emmylou fell back next to Ian. Ian screamed hysterically.
