We walked for over five hours aimlessly, trying to find shelter. The sky began to rumble, and the ash-colored clouds moved faster over our heads, announcing the arrival of acid rain. The sulfuric smell settled around us, traveling easily with the wind. I panicked, knowing if I don't find a roof over our heads soon, it could spell disaster for us.

"Farris, the sky..."

"I'm aware. I noticed a building in the distance when I climbed the old highway looking for shelter. We should head that way, before the rain begins to pour."

I fed a small portion of water to Lacey, as she refused to eat anything we tried to give her. Droplets of acid rain began to fall from the sky, forcing us to run towards the old building. An array of rusted cars were piled up at the entrance, portraying a scene that was easy to understand.

"Looks like they were in hurry to get out." Julious said.

"This used to be a parking garage. Let's get settled on one of the floors, preferrable the middle one."

We climbed the ramps, noticing other people had settled here before. A small fire remained alive near some tents, clearly proving that someone still lives there. Julious approached the tent near the fire, when suddenly, a man in a mask comes out.

We stepped back, unsure of his intentions. He removed the mask, his hands shaking uncontrollably. "Oh wow, I guess this is my lucky day."

I pulled Julious to my side, knowing the shaking on his hands was not from illness, he was a cannibal.

"We have to go, now!"

The moment we turned around, three more men appeared behind us, showing the same condition as the guy near the tent. I felt defeated, knowing we walked straight into a trap.

"So, tell me boys, what brings you to these parts of the barrens?"

"We don't want any trouble." I said, turning my attention back towards the man near the tent.

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Suddenly, I fell on my back, after receiving a hit my legs. "Farris!" Julious yelled.

I turned on my back, shielding Lacey with my body, as a barrage of kicks landed on my ribs. Julious gets taken; a knife being held to his throat.

"That's enough, we don't want our meal to be ruined." The leader said.

Inconveniently, a cooing sound coming from Lacey grabbed his attention. He ran at me, landing a kick to my stomach, forcing me to uncover my little sister. His eyes opened wide, walking and jumping around her like a madman.

"Yes! It has been too long since I had such a tender meal!"

Echoing steps are heard throughout the floor. A man wearing a black hoodie unsheathed a knife that flew through the air, going through the forehead of the man jumping around Lacey. The other three men ran towards him, unable to land a hit on the strange man. It took a blink of my eyes to watch the lifeless bodies of the three men crash to the floor.

The strange man walked towards me, a blade sliding slowly under his hand. He hears Lacey cooing, immediately running towards her.

"Don't you dare touch her!" I yelled, as I winced in pain.

He took the baby in his arms and placed a round mechanical device on the floor. Something I have never seen before.

"Boy! Are you the princess' protector?" The strange man asked.

"I am her big brother, and I will not let you take her away from me." I said, struggling to stand on my own.

Lacey touched the strange man's finger, when tears began to trickle down his pale cheeks. With one hand, he removed the hood covering his head, revealing similar skin tone and pointy ears, and a necklace with an encircled golden tree, just like Lacey's.

"She showed me everything you went through, just to keep her alive."

The man knelt, removed one of his gloves and touched my forehead. Immediately, my injuries healed, just like it would do if I were touched by Lacey's hand. I stood up, running towards my younger brother.

"Julious!"

He opened his eyes and smiled. "I'm fine. Where's Lacey?"

The strange man approached us, resting his hand over my shoulder.

"I am eternally grateful; you saved my daughter."

"You are not from around here, are you?"

"I am Valdus Demrah, ruler of the Kingdon of Lei. My daughter's name is Allorah. She was abducted and left on this dying planet by our enemies. She was lucky, you found her."

"Does this mean I'll never see her again?"

Valdus walked towards the round metallic device he had placed on the ground. With a snap of his fingers, the device created a portal, showing green pastures, birds and horses on the other side.

"This portal will remain open for another ten seconds after I have crossed the realms. This planet will die soon. She would love to have you around."

I felt an immense pressure lifted from my shoulders. With a smile, I held Julious' hand, and following Valdus' steps, we crossed the portal towards the Kingdom of Lei.

-The end.