Destruction and despair spread out all around the village. Kim looked all around him sadly, this was his home. It had been destroyed and he did nothing about it. However, he had no time to wallow in misery. He was being taken away together with Thia and Mwas and a few villagers as well. He saw them in a large hovercraft that seemed too small for them but they had somehow fit. They were being led by soldiers to the front and others in the back. Kim felt sadness and despair creep in slowly like a dark pit slowly pulling him in. They were captives, spoils of war, prisoners.
As they neared the once proud Gate. Kim felt as if his heart would break. If the gate's gone what would happen to his home? To Shiru? The moment he thought of her he panicked. He tried to move. He wanted to go to her. He fidgeted and tried everything in vain. " What do you think you're doing boy"? Albert asked the boy. He had been watching him rather amusedly. The boy interested him. Why? he couldn't figure it out.
The scorching sun of the world beyond the village surprised the prisoners. Some screamed in pain while others tried to hide underneath the shadows and bodies of others. It was a horrible sight in of itself. The soldiers watched amused. To them, this looked funny and hilarious. Alvin was about to help them but was stopped by Albert. " These are the consequences of sheltering and protecting people who have overgrown protection. Let them have a taste of the real world and its cruel realities," he said loud enough for Kim to hear. Kim glared at him. This was the only thing he could do so for now he had to settle for it.
The distant sound of something humming as if in a rush silenced everyone. The humming became louder and closer. Alex, who had been silent the whole time, took his gun out and jumped out of the hovercraft. He silently signaled to the soldiers to take defense positions. A huge shadow covered nearly everyone up. They all looked up. It was the largest and most expensive airship known to man. With over a hundred kilometers in length and eight hundred kilometers wide. It was the most expensive thing in the word it belonged to House of AL.
Albert looked at the thing above him quietly. He had never known that this was in the family disposal. He watched as the airship descended rather gracefully a few meters from where they were. A pilot came out and looking for Albert. When he found him, he slowly went to him whispered something in his ear then walked back to the airship and slowly opened its cargo doors. 'Whatever that was, it had dampened Albert's mood. "Alright everyone get inside"! he shouted curtly, leaving no room for any argument. The cargo door opened and, slowly the trucks drove in.
Alex went up to him in an angry state, this wasn't according to plan. They had already deviated from it a long time ago, any further and his men will start to complain. He stood in front of Albert about to demand answers when Albert looked at him and said," I'll compensate you and your men double." That made him shut up and stand guard, signaling the men to get in.
With everyone plus the spoils of war in, the airship took off. It was time to head home. Albert disappeared in the cockpit leaving his brother and everyone else in an uncomfortable situation. Kim found himself sitting by the window. Curious, he looked out.
The vast world spread out below him. It was beautiful. The world below seemed endless with breaks of burnt patches here and there. The land was barren and empty, but to Kim who hadn't seen this part of the ravaged world looked on fascinated. Alvin looked at him and smiled. He had once been like that as well, before reality came knocking and childhood innocency was stripped a bit too soon.
The scenery changed. Kim saw large green fields that interconnected and had one main road running between them. Beyond that a large city sprawled before them. It was the city of priests, the Citadel. Kim as well as the other prisoners were astounded. To them the village was everything., so seeing such a large city had them in awe.
Alex wasn't amused. This was the last place he'd ever wanted be on earth.