CHAPTER 1

"Darren the Great, Dead! Darren the Great, dead!" Two little boys ran shouting along the muddy road spluttering water. The grey clouds carpeted the sky and brought with them a dull atmosphere.

             Sitting on a collapsed stone wall of a house, a brown skinned boy smiled observing the kids and turned to his light skin friend leaning against the wall beneath him, "See, Nai, it'll all be over soon. It "is" over. Your parents would be happy you made it, we made it."

             Nai with his almond eyes and girl-like but still boyish face didn't turn to his friend but with a slight sigh he responded, " I know. You don't have to talk to me so ... Soft like, empathetic, it's been a few months already." He meant his parents who, among many, had lost their lives to the great war.

            Rubbing his face and getting up with a scoff, "We should probably go see if we will find something to eat." His friend did not hesitate, with an exaggerated swing of his legs, he leaped off the collapsed wall he had been sitting on. "Aye, no need to remind me."

Gazing at the dull clouds Nai had stopped for a moment to wait for his friend. He felt the soft pat on his back. Turning with a slight smile and nod he took in his face for a moment. His friend, Domnik, brown skin, dark eyes that were noticeably slightly far apart than they ought to be, but still came together with his other facial features to bring about an above average look.

Domnik did a Leap over a small muddy pool, "ugh! So, where should we start ... by Ol' Bari? Will be filled by now. Doubt we'd get past anyone there."

Nai's brows rose, "For the public handouts? No, we're two young men ... leave that for those who actually need it most. I was talking bout hunting ... "

"Men? I doubt fifteen counts as men, but "young" indeed, and what do you mean hunt? You think there's an animal kilometers anywhere near here?" Saying this, Domnik's left hand was raised and scanned the landscape of collapsed buildings and people digging in around them.

Following Domnik's hand with his eyes Nai sighed, " We were at the periphery, heck, the animals probably ran towards this place and further south." He paused and dragged his eyes back to Domnik's face, " ... and if you are right, maybe ... maybe it's time we leave. There's pretty much nothing left for us here."

Domnik showed no emotions at the proposal almost like he had already known. "I do though, remember? That rascals family's going to take me in."

Nai chuckled and his gaze went downwards for a moment, "Right, I forgot... "

"You could come too, you know, the parents would be more than willing ... considering everything."

"It's not about them being willing, I just ... I just don't want to be a burden to anyone I don't have the right to, and well, that ship sailed."

"You think I'm a burden then?" Domnik was not pushing back hard, he had an understanding to his voice.

"No, not what I meant. It's different. Your families knew each other at least... "

"Like I said, "more than willing". Besides, look around, who wouldn't want the help of any extra "young man"?" After a pause and a slight lip bite Domnik continued, "What am I saying? You've already been on this for weeks. Your stone mind is immovable in this regard ... but, Nai, I can't leave ... not just because I can't but also, I don't think I want to. This place ... I'm going to help, we all are, holding hands and all, try to salvage it. It's still home, you know, for you too"

"It was." His voice soft and low Nai spoke, "It's good, what you are willing to do. I won't try to take that from you. But I have nothing left here... "

"Ouch!" with a laugh, Domnik interrupted, "You don't have to explain, I understand. I wonder though, where exactly have you set your eyes on then?"

A shirtless man with a cloth wrapped around his head emerged from the rubble and stared at them as they passed. Nai looked at the scene only for a second before looking forward with a pensive look on his face, "Nowhere specific, maybe north east... "

True to his nature, Domnik didn't let him finish, "You mean towards Presby? You don't plan to go and topple the Titans new government before it sets do you?" Saying this he had a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Nai returned the same look, "They put us through hell to obtain their seating. I might as well be there, at the capital of what they plan to build." He sighed and turned away from Domnik, "I'm not planning anything crazy. I'm not stupid. But Presby is like fifty times the size of our little Zanzy here, besides, I'm not planning on Presby only ... I'm going to see it all Domnik, the world, this world ... I'll see it all."

"And the gold to fund your dreams will come from where?" Teasing Domnik spoke.

"I'll find a way. It's not like I have a way here, do I?"

"You do ... " Domnik looked thoughtful, "but I already conceded. Then what?"

"What do you mean then what?"

"After you see the world, it's not endless you know ... " Domnik turned to him and looked at Nai's side profile. Nai's dull blondish locks covered his face to his ears, his thin neck underneath a well outlined jawline. Even the ignorant Domnik could always tell more than one lady would fall for his friend. If it wasn't for the fact they had been together the past couple of months, he would not have thought this almost girlish boy capable enough to take care of himself despite possessing no abilities.

"Well if I won't be dead or too old by then, I'll surely pass by, to see you and your kids ... " Nai dragged him from his saddened thoughts.

"Kids? What kids? pfft! with who?"

"I won't tease you about that little rascal's sister. Oh wait, is that why you accepted to stay with that family?" Nai held his hand to his mouth and shoved Domnik's shoulder. It was heavily even though meant to be soft. Domnik only let out a surrendered sigh and chuckle. He knew Nai was trying to act like by tonight he would no longer be here. Who would think to leave? Where to? The closest town would probably be days walk from Zanzy. But he knew there was no detering Nai.

He had never met Nai's parents but on that night, two months ago, when they divulged each other's secrets, he had come to know just what a great loss it meant to his new friend. It must have happened as soon as the Binadams, aspect wielding humans, were pushed further south by the Titans. A final clash of the remaining few happening at their little town of Zanzy. Five months to this day, he had spent with Nai. Now, even though not similar he was bout to be hit with a loss as well.

"So, what and where should we go hunt then?"

Nai stopped, hands on his hips he raised his chin to point to his left, "About thirty minutes that way, towards the river. There must be thirsty animals at least. If not we'll try catching fish."

"And if there is no fish?"

"Then you'll come back hungrier... " Nai smiled at his slightly shorter friend.

"I'll be coming back alone then?"

Nai's lips tightened, "Yes. Come on, do not kill the mood, we need to find some sharp metal or make ones and craft our own spears and stuff ... "

With a missable deep breath Domnik turned from his friend and looked at the direction Nai had pointed with his chin, "Stuff, huh?"

"Yes, now, we've already wasted time. It's what? should be noon, right? I can't tell with these damned clouds."

"Maybe these "damned clouds" should be a sign." Domnik did not explain to what. Nai grabbed his shoulder with his right hand and pointing with his left to some more rubbled houses, "Over there, try finding something."