Chapter Forty-Six: The Company Misery Keeps

A giant wall of fire appeared in front of the west home burning up every bullet fired by the Gears.
Iris
So he is here with him.
Iris sat on the foot of a Gear.
Iris
I’ll never understand how an enemy can become a friend.
The wall of fire disappeared.

Cameron
You are leaving.
Arkain looked at Cameron like he had gone crazy.
Arkain
Are you kidding? We can beat her together.
Cameron walked towards the door.
Cameron
No, we can’t. You’ll only get in my way Arkain.
Arkain followed.
Cameron
It’s time you go. If I am correct, she is building up a barrier that blocks transportation. I probably can squeeze you through before she closes it completely.
Arkain put his arms in the air.
Arkain
And what about you?
Cameron stopped at the stairs.
Cameron
We don’t have time to discuss this. You’re going back to the others.
Arkain
I said what about you?
Cameron
Don’t worry about me.
He began to walk down the stairs. Arkain walked to the stairs and looked down on Cameron.
Arkain
What are you trying to prove?
Cameron looked up.
Cameron
I have nothing to prove to you. I just have a debt to settle with the young lady outside.
He reached the bottom of the stairs.
Arkain
I’m coming with you.
Arkain was surrounded by fire and then disappeared.
Cameron
Here we go.
Cameron walked outside the front door. He unbuckled his coat and it went up in flames as it fell to the ground.


Ximendos
You want to what?
Ilias stood before Ximendos as he sat on his throne.
Ilias
I will be marrying Gemma.
Ximendos rested his head in his hand.
Ximendos
This is a joke.
Ilias looked down.
Ilias
I assure you father, it is not.
Ximendos looked at Ilias.
Ximendos
Why would you do such a thing?
Ilias
Because I love her.
Ximendos
You haven’t even known her for long.
Ilias
Love has no time line.
Ximendos
It does with me.
Ilias
Well your reality is not mine. I don’t think it is anyone’s place to tell someone who they love.
Ximendos sat up straight.
Ximendos
You love her?
Ilias
I do.
Ximendos
And she loves you?
Ilias
I believe so. I see no other reason why she’d say yes.
Ximendos crossed his legs.
Ximendos
And I can’t stop you?
Ilias
You could try.
Ximendos
Come up here.
Ilias walked up the small stairs to the top floor where Ximendos sat. Ilias sat on the side of the throne.
Ilias
Father, are you disappointed in me?
Ximendos
No, just confused. I never thought you’d do such a thing in such little time.
Ilias chuckled.
Ilias
I’m sorry to confuse you, father. Although, I didn’t think I would either.
Ximendos
Things happen so fast.
Ilias
They do. I don’t think it’s up to anyone to decide how fast they should. I can tell myself over and over that I don’t feel as I feel or that I am moving too fast, but it won’t change how I feel. I must act on these feelings.
Ximendos
Sounds to me like the law of the heart by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Ilias stood up.
Ilias
One should follow the heart, if I am not mistaken.
Ximendos
You’re not. I’m glad you remember your studies.
Ilias
How can I not? Before yesterday I didn’t enjoy anything else. Humans are fascinating creatures.
Ximendos
That they are. When this is over they will understand why things had to be done.
Ilias
Well, I can’t say they’d understand. They’d have no memory of the world that was.
Ximendos
I suppose you’re right. I cannot wait. No longer will they be bound by greed and hate. They will only know how to love and serve me.
Ilias
Yes father, that is the world you are creating.
Ximendos
The world we are creating.
Ilias
Yes, it is. The new world will truly be heaven. Until then, we must eliminate any possible threat to our plans.
Ximendos
What of Arkain?
Ilias
He will die father. I have no doubts about that. He could have lived if he joined us, but he didn’t. Operation Cleansing is far more important than any simple pawn.
Ximendos laughed.
Ximendos
A simple pawn, you say?
Ilias
Yes, I do say father. He is no threat. Not at the moment at least.
Ximendos
I wouldn’t underestimate what that boy can do.
Ilias
He underestimates himself father. You saw him when we had him. He didn’t break free and fly. He remained here to rot. He allowed us to nail him to a cross and almost murder him.
Ximendos
Maybe he thought he was sacrificing himself. Perhaps it was a way to stir the masses?
Ilias wanted to laugh.
Ilias
I doubt it, father. If there was a stirring, it would be created by me. These minds are mine and that will not change just because a boy dies.
Ximendos put his hand on Ilias shoulder.
Ximendos
You are wise my son. If only the humans were just as you are.
Ilias walked in front of their Ximendos.
Ilias
If only they were perfect, father.
Ximendos
Like myself?
Ilias
No, of course not. But they’ll be the closest thing.
Ximendos
If you say so. As long as they’ll follow me, I have no opinion on what they should be.
Ilias
I hope you’d allow me to do as I see fit.
Ximendos
I have and I will. You have my confidence with you.
Ilias
Good. If you’ll excuse me father, I must return to Gemma.
Ximendos
Go, my child.
Ilias descended from the top.
Ximendos
Have you spoken with her?
Ilias
About?
Ximendos
The cleansing process.
Ilias stopped.
Ilias
I have.
Ximendos
And her thoughts?
Ilias
She is thrilled, father. She was only curious as to why we’d need to govern them.
Ximendos
A wise human once said that "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
Ilias
James Madison.
Ximendos
Correct. Now take those words to her.
Ilias
I’ll keep that in mind, father.


Emmylou
Suri, are you awake?
Suri rolled over.
Suri
I might be.
Emmylou smiled.
Emmylou
You do think what we’re doing is right, right?
Suri
Even if it was wrong, I’d still want to do it. Not for myself, but for Arkain and your dad.
Emmylou
Is it really for them?
Suri
What do you mean? Of course it is.
Emmylou
I mean, isn’t it mostly because of us? If we didn’t feel the way we did about them, would we go out of our way to do this?
Suri
No, probably not.
Emmylou
But because we do, that motives us, right?
Suri
Yeah. Where are you getting at?
Emmylou turned over to face Suri.
Emmylou
Well, that what we’re doing is selfish.
Suri
How’s that?
Emmylou
It’s to satisfy our own feelings. To make sure we can sleep well at night. If we wouldn’t do it without the emotion behind it, well then it must be selfish.
Suri
You have a point.
Emmylou
I wish I didn’t.
Suri
Don’t feel like that. So you’re right, we are being selfish.
Emmylou sank lower into her pillow.
Suri
But what does that matter? If that’s the case then we’re all selfish. So what? I don’t care. You shouldn’t either.
She lied on her back facing up.
Suri
If we weren’t, we wouldn’t be saving who we love. Fuck it, sometimes being selfish is worth it.
Conor
Amen.
Emmylou and Suri both looked over to Conor’s bed.
Conor
What? I can’t agree?
They all laughed. Ian turned in his sleep.
Emmylou
I hope we get there in time.
Conor
What do you mean in time? Is there a countdown we’re trying to beat?
Emmylou
I hope not. I just hope we make it in time before something bad happens.
Conor
Well don’t be so negative.
Emmylou
I’m trying not to be. I just don’t know guys. I took off my mask of dedication and strength to go to bed and now I’m falling apart. What can three teenagers and a little boy do to change the course of what’s going on right now?
Suri put her hand on Emmylou’s arm.
Suri
That’s the thing, Emmylou. It’s not only us. It’s others out there too. My dad, your mom, the White Coats, and what’s left of the United States will be fighting soon. The burden isn’t only ours. If everyone decided what little they were doing was useless, well nothing would get done.
Conor
It takes a lot of little to do a lot.
Suri looked over at Conor.
Suri
That didn’t make much sense, but I think I know what you meant.
She looked back down at Emmylou.
Suri
We’re here too. We’ll get this thing done.
Emmylou
And what if we don’t? What if they’re dead before we get there? What if we die before we get there?
Suri
Well, if that’s what you think, we need to move a hell of a lot faster. The faster we get there, the less chance of dying they have.
She sat up.
Suri
And if we die, well we die. But no one can say we didn’t go for it. At least we’ll know we did our best to make sure the people we love are okay.
Emmylou felt a tear rolling down her eye onto the bed.
Emmylou
But is it all worth it?
Suri looked over to Conor and Ian and then back at Emmylou.
Suri
Only if you think it is.


Cameron
So lovely to see you, Iris.
Cameron walked down the steps of the house.
Cameron
I was wondering if someone would show up.
Iris
And yet you still came?
Cameron
Call me crazy.
Iris didn’t take her eyes off of him.
Cameron
I didn’t think it would be you. You’re not much of a front of the line kind of gal.
Iris
I came here to get rid of Arkain.
Cameron
Sorry, you just missed him. Luckily for him it takes a few minutes for you to build your barrier. I knew I wouldn’t make it out, so I sent him alone.
Iris
What a pity. Of course, now you’re going to die alone.
Cameron stretched his arms.
Cameron
You planning on killing me?
Iris
Yes, I am. I was going to find you after Arkain, but you came right to me.
Cameron
It was a pleasure.
Iris
Such a bad move, little brother. What hope does a fish have of not being eaten,
She stood up.
Iris
After it has jumped inside the boat?
Cameron’s flames erupted towards her.

Gemma smiled. She finally had something to smile about. Her head was now clear and she would be getting married soon. She stood in her room content with the way things are going.
Akasha
What a smile. I haven’t seen one like that in quite some time.
Gemma was startled. Akasha walked into the room.
Akasha
No need to worry, I mean you no harm, my future daughter.
Akasha put her hands on Gemma’s shoulders.
Akasha
I heard the news. How excited I was to hear my son found a girl he loves and one as beautiful as you are.
Gemma
Thank you.
Akasha laughed.
Akasha
Why would you thank me for pointing out your beauty?
She sat on the bed.
Akasha
Do you think the sun would thank humans when they call it bright? I think not.
Gemma
I’m not the sun.
Akasha smiled, but Gemma was at a loss for what she might be thinking.
Akasha
I’d hope not. If that were the case, you would have destroyed my son already.
Akasha set both hands on the bed.
Akasha
I must warn you, and this warning is the reason for my visit.
Gemma could hear sparks coming from where Akasha sat.
Akasha
If you break his heart, I will break you. Take comfort in the fact that I’d get to you before Iris could.
Akasha stood up.
Akasha
Oh, Iris doesn’t know yet? I’d hate to be the one to tell her the bad news.
She put her hands in Gemma’s hair.
Akasha
She really does not like bad news. You see, when she puts her mind to something, she’ll get it done.
Akasha walked towards the door.
Akasha
Even if it kills her.
She was gone. Gemma sat on the chair at the desk terrified. She wondered if she knew what she is getting herself into.


Cameron dodged a wave of energy.
Cameron
Is that all you got, Iris?
Suddenly Cameron was pushed back and flew into the 2nd story of Arkain’s home.
Iris
Idiot.
Iris looked up at the Gears.
Iris
You may leave.
They disappeared quickly. Cameron appeared at the hole in the wall.
Cameron
Well then, I think it’s time I should start playing this game like I have something invested in it.
Iris
Be my guest. I at least want to kill you knowing you went down fighting.
Cameron laughed.
Cameron
I feel the exact same way.
The house went up in giant orange flames.
Cameron
I wonder if Akasha ever told you not to play with fire.
Iris
Spare me of your words.
Cameron smiled.
Cameron
I’ll take that as a no.
Iris flew back as a giant explosion happened right in front of her.
Cameron
Come on, come out of hiding.
Iris stood up and came back into Cameron’s line of vision.
Iris
You know you can’t hurt me. My shield is wrapped around my body.
Cameron dropped down from the burning house.
Cameron
I wonder how much it can take before it breaks.
Every house on the street went up in flames.
Cameron
We have all night to see just how long it will last.
The flames clashed with Iris’s shield.


Hayden
Do you feel that?
Amros
Yes. It feels as if two powers are colliding.
Hayden
I see Cameron is not wasting any time.
Amros
None at all.
They laughed as Roselyn and Grey entered.
Roselyn
If I am not mistaken, the battle has begun.
Amros
I wouldn’t say that. It’s more of the fireworks before the show.
Grey
I hope the show gets canceled.
Amros
It won’t. If my brother does something, he does it.
Hayden
Nothing but the truth in that.
Roselyn and Grey sat at the table.
Grey
So if your prediction is correct, they attack in 3 days.
Amros
Yes, that is correct.
Roselyn
I still think we should attack first.
Hayden
Not if the Syn clan is on their side. You didn’t fight them like we did, Roselyn.
Grey
Let me tell you, they were just as bad as Ximendos. Luckily for us Ximendos didn’t have a plan that time around.
Hayden
You can call that luck. I call it a child wanting to destroy the world without putting his toys in the right spots.
Roselyn put her hand on Grey’s knee.
Roselyn
Well, whenever we are needed, we will be ready.
Grey
As always.
Hayden
The time will come. Till then we must wait.
Amros
And allow my brother to make the first move.


Cameron landed in front of Iris. She ducked beneath his swing and jumped onto his shoulders. After a pounce off his shoulders she connected her foot to his head. Cameron fell on the ground.
Iris
It seems like you might not be a front of the line kind of gal either.
Cameron’s flames flew towards her and circled her. Iris’ shield was all that kept her from being swallowed.
Cameron
You have so many words, Iris. It’s a shame you can’t turn them into power capable of killing me.
Iris
Is that so?
The flames disappeared. Cameron fell back. Iris walked towards him.
Iris
If I remember correctly, it was always you who lost during our training.
Cameron
I don’t recall.
Cameron disappeared and appeared behind her. His foot met her back and she fell face first into the floor. She was able to get up quickly because Cameron’s hits had not been hitting her directly.
Iris
I wonder just how long you can keep this up, brother.
Cameron felt his neck close in as if someone was grabbing him.
Iris
Now would be the time you say something witty.
Cameron’s face hit the ground. To the naked eye it would have seemed like Cameron’s body just decided to plunge itself into the street, but it was Iris.
Iris
Let’s hear it, brother. What jokes can you come up with now?
Iris and Cameron both flew backwards from each other because of a giant explosion. Cameron stood up just as Iris did.
Iris
An explosion to break my grasp? I should have seen that coming.
Cameron wiped his mouth of the blood that had found itself under his lip.
Cameron
I let my guard down for a second and you pull a Hollywood trick on me?
Iris laughed. It was the first time she did all day.
Iris
I knew you’d remember where it was from. You really haven’t changed.
Cameron spat on the floor.
Cameron
When are we going to start getting serious?
Iris
Don’t flatter yourself, Cameron. What makes you think I’d need to get serious for the likes of you?
She walked forward.
Iris
No, not for you.
She moved her hair with her neck.
Iris
This right now, is just fine by me.
Cameron
If you say so.
Cameron appeared to her right and connected his fist to her face. His left hand hit her in the neck. His knee found her stomach. And then both his hands stopped in front of her face and released a wave of fire that sent her flying back into the burning houses behind them. Iris got up.
Cameron
Like I said, we have all day.
Iris smiled.

Gemma sat in front of the mirror on the desk.
Gemma
What are you doing?
She asked her reflection.
Gemma
Just trying to be happy.
She replied.
Gemma
Why must we pull another person into us?
Gemma combed her hair.
Gemma
I need someone to love. Just like everyone else.
She sat the brush down.
Gemma
Why must it be him? Let’s be alone, for good.
She paused for a moment. She didn’t know what to say.

Iris and Cameron both flew back. Iris stood up quicker than Cameron this time. She sent her wall towards him.
Cameron
Shit.
Cameron couldn’t get up in time. Suddenly a small white thing landed in front of him and created a large wave of energy that consumed all in front of it.


Gemma
I can’t do that.
She tried to look away.
Gemma
Why is that?
She smiled.
Gemma
Because misery enjoys company.
Ilias walked into the room.
Ilias
I’m back.
Gemma
I’ve been expecting you.
She smiled.