Two Years Later...
Enzo's Perspective:
"They aren't coming back... huh, we really have failed them." I walked over to where they died and stared out at the crater. I placed both hands upon my waistline and dropped my head, slightly nodding as my jaw tightened along with every muscle fiber in my body, breathing deeply as the lump that grew inside my throat continued to grow until I could barely breathe. The muscles in my limbs relaxed as they throbbed a little more from the tension being released slowly. Finally, I lifted my head, looking around the scenery again to confirm its authenticity. "Rayne... the survivors here... they were so lucky that he destroyed everything above their homes..." I said quietly to her, causing her expression to change drastically as a hint of surprise flashed briefly across her eyes before it faded away as quickly as it came.
The two-year anniversary has just passed, yet nothing feels different. My heart aches with an almost debilitating sadness; if I couldn't stay here, in the capital, I'd spend hours watching over their graves. Tears roll down my cheeks, and I blink a few times before they disappear completely.
My shoulders shook with the intensity as hot tears welled within me, running down both sides of my face and dropping onto the ground below. I can hear Rayne sniffling beside me, her soft breaths stilling occasionally when she attempts to clear her nose. I gently lift her chin with one hand and look deeply into those sapphires she calls eyes, wiping the trails away with the backs of my fingers, brushing her hair from her forehead as I rest my forehead upon hers, my voice quivering but otherwise firm in its conviction.
If only Sora and Leo were here, they sacrificed everything in order to save this world from it's inevitable demise, Williams wanted to destroy everything that this world has built, nobody knows why.
When all hope is gone. When nobody believes there's light at the end of the tunnel... We had faith that maybe one day, someone or something would come to our rescue; saving humanity. Giving it meaning to live again...
Even now I stand in silence and wait for those same words to repeat themselves for another year or two; hoping desperately that maybe their voices will come echoing through my mind. But no matter how long I stay here or how many tears I shed, the memories only continue to haunt me further as the sorrow of having lost someone close threatens to overwhelm.
I was also rescued along with other people here, who were originally left behind as the world's strongest heroes fell before the army of death, a being known to many as Voidwalker. That man killed those powerful individuals for the simple pleasure of destruction alone; proving himself more terrifying than ever before.
But, instead, two brave souls stepped forward and sacrificed their lives against those monsters. That day marked a change that swept through the continent; a new beginning, filled with optimism and hope. One that people welcomed openly as it brought comfort and happiness to everyone.
???'s Perspective:
"Sir, the preparations have been completed, the Xuidian mages are now looking for you." A grunt came from behind the door. "You've done good, Xavier. Did you make sure to kill all of the civilians?"
"We did."
"Good. Go grab a shower, and some rest. I'm expecting great things from you. You might even become stronger."
There sat a young woman dressed in red armor with glowing black rune-like marks that shimmered softly like liquid mercury etched deep into its metallic surface, flowing slowly from her face.
Her eyes glowed with a radiant amber color that resembled molten gold yet at times when caught in just the right angle seemed to burn brighter than the sun's itself. "My name's Alicarra Xanderson, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. It appears to me as though we've met already, and it will remain as such."
She grinned happily at the opportunity and tilted her head slightly, leaning against the stone wall while stretching languidly, revealing the dark runic marks tattooed along her skin. Her crimson armor gleamed ominously as her shadow grew longer and larger by each passing second. "Why'd you bother keeping these useless guys alive?"
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Alicarra. You can call me, Reaper, as I am known as The Reaper of Death." Reaper said.
A young girl was sleeping peacefully; her blonde curls splayed over the pillows beneath her head and across her back while she dreamed dreamlessly under heavy blankets that held her firmly in place.
A boy sat beside her quietly reading an old book he found hidden inside his grandparent's home many years ago. He enjoyed spending his days wandering aimlessly through abandoned towns, villages, and ruins scattered across this world's vast countryside. "Her hair smells good," he said, inhaling deeply while rubbing her cheeks affectionately. "She smells just like roses," he whispered softly before pulling back reluctantly from his dreamscape of rose petals floating serenely down from an endless blue sky above; soon falling onto fresh green grass below.
His eyelashes flutter against the warm sunlight, causing him to stir briefly as another image crosses his mind. "The breeze feels nice against her bare skin, just like her scent does; like a mixture between lavender and mint leaves after being brushed through by a cool wind. They make me feel calm." He turned slightly and nuzzled her softly with his nose.
"Orion, that's enough, get to your room and leave Ariel alone." Reaper called out.
A girl slept soundly with her nose buried into the crook of his neck. Her fingers grasped tightly around a handful of his shirt fabric while one hand laid lazily on top of the blanket. She made no signs that she heard anything being said or seen until suddenly, she sat up abruptly and looked directly at Reaper and asked, "Are we going to start?"
"Yes. After you two ate and showered," said Reaper in response as if she were reading his thoughts. "I think it's time for everyone present to meet. It is best we begin the preparations immediately before we begin phase two. Our attack on the Xuidian Kingdom and to annihilate all the civilians who inhabit this corrupt land."
Ariel stretched and rubbed her eyes, yawned and slid off the bed to put on her robes; while Orion stepped outside into the bright sunshine that warmed his face slightly; his lips curled upwards, revealing teeth as he smiled. He knew his friend was finally awake. "What a relief..." Orion said out loud.
The air smelled different to him as though something foul lingered nearby; maybe a scent similar to his own perhaps. Either way, there's only one reason he could think of why it would smell like that; maybe someone tried to kill her again. No... It's probably Ariel. She usually does stuff like this, always running off to find trouble somewhere or another. But if someone attempted to murder her recently, then they must've failed miserably considering how alive Ariel looked standing beside him, laughing joyously.
"Things are starting to get good." Reaper said to the both of them, making his presence known as well.