(Solmonath 27, 56 / 10:01PM)

A woman focused on the TV as the screen's color radiated against her dark brown eyes. As for the man right next to her, he wore a highly fancy tuxedo despite a blanket being wrapped around him.

Turning her head toward the direction of a dark room, the woman noticed the same light that reflected onto her and her husband.

(Mary) Luke, it's time for bed dear!

No response came from the other end of the penthouse, she continued to look at the slightly opened black door that let out the rays of the TV. Letting out a sigh, she put both of her feet and legs off of the couch and set them down on the fancy rug that tickled her bare feet.

Making her way toward the dark room, her feet squealed under the rich wood that was beneath her, a replacement for the fancy brown rug. Reaching the black door, she burst through with just the tip of her right-hand knuckles, red starting to form along the skin.

(Mary) What did I say, Luke!?

Standing in between the doorframe, she put both of her hardened fists onto her sides, straightening her back as she let in an accumulation of air.

The boy in question glanced at the woman who puffed up her chest, his lips curled up into a frown with his eyelids botched in dark eye bags. Having a white and bulky controller in his right hand, the bright light that emitted from the television continued to play, or rather…

(Luke) Let me finish this level.

(Mary) Don’t care. Past your bedtime. Get off now.

Luke glanced back at the TV, his knees and legs crisscrossed while layers of wires and video games littered the rug and floor of his room.

The walls were littered with game posters and musicians, as well as a large bookshelf that was to the right of him. With many books littering the area around the shelf, some of the books either were chemistry, manga, or something else.

Either way, the boy placed the white controller down right next to him, his fingers still caressing the material of the electronic. With his left hand, he used it to pick up a black remote, his pointer finger lingering on the power button.

Turning off the TV, he glanced back at his mother, his lips still curled downward.

(Mary) Go to bed. I’m not telling you again.

Grudgingly getting back up from the floor, Luke turned his head toward the messed-up bed that awaited him. By pushing his feet which were only covered by his white socks, he hunched his body forward while setting himself in his bed.

Barely wrapping himself up with the dislodged bed sheets that sprouted out from both sides of his bed, Luke turned his body away from his mother, his left ear sandwiched by both his pillow and his head.

(Mary’s thoughts) I wish that he wasn’t this moody. He wasn’t even like this a year ago…

Turning her body 180 degrees, she stopped in her tracks as her entire body was facing the hallway. Looking back at Luke, her face pushed down by just the mere sight of the darkness that enveloped and cradled him.

Mary slowly walked toward the littered young teenage boy’s room, her bare toes almost stubbing onto a few wires and games that made it seem like a maze. The only saving grace was the TV light from the other end of the hall that allowed her to see those traps.

She reached the other end of Luke’s bed, her body on the opposite side of where Luke was cradled up.

(Mary) Luke.

Noticing that no response was given, she leaned her face closer.

(Mary) Please say something.

No response was given again.

Mary clenched her teeth as her hands that held the side of the bed soon began to curl up, the white fabric material being pulled with it. Hunching her whole head down, her elbows and forearms that held her body in place started to wobble.

Placing both of her knees on the bed, she had her whole body on it as she hurried her way to the dormant boy. In her sights, she opened both of her arms out wide…

And cradled him against the growing darkness.

(Mary) Please, say anything.

Her face and head were right behind the back of his light brown hair.

Pulling him closer, Mary made sure that her body was enveloping the back of his, the bedsheets being the only thing that separated between mother and son.

(Mary) Please? Even as yes or no will-

(Luke) I’m tired of being a shut-in.

She couldn’t see the facial expression that bestowed on him, but the trail of his voice did.

A voice that tingled with strain yet aggressiveness, a voice that wanted to pour its heart out on something yet held back on that very thing. His body started to tremble underneath the dislodged blankets, he still yet to turn his head toward the woman in the back of him.

(Luke) Fred goes out and explores things. Everyone in my class goes on exotic vacations, but I don’t.

Mary’s face continued to darken evermore, her grip upon her own son’s body continuing to tighten. Letting her feet loose, the tips of her bare toes stuck out from the blanket as her heels were still lying on the bed.

(Luke) I just … I just want to explore.

(Mary) Oh, Luke…

With her right hand, she rubbed his right shoulder as her fingertips loosened up the boy’s joints and sorrows. Noticing that a slight sniffle came out from him, she continued to rub his right shoulder back and forth.

(Mary) How about I lend you some time alone?

Getting up from the bed, Mary put both of her bare feet back on the floor which was a maze to her. Walking through the floor carefully, she got a hold of the black door that she forgot to close, as the light from the TV was still on.

Taking a last look at the boy, she placed her right hand on the handle, analyzing the position that he was in when she first saw him.

Getting into the dark hallway, she slowly closed the door and it soon made a soft click.

(Mary’s thoughts) Just what does he want us to do…

(Joseph) I see you comforted him, Mary.

Having both of his hands inside his tuxedo jacket, he didn’t lean his back on the dark soulless walls that were behind him. More rather, he had a straight posture as he made sure his neck and eyes were on the same level as his wife.

Flinching upward, she turned her body toward the voice of his, seeing him covered in the darkness of the wall that seemed as if he emerged from it.

(Mary) Don’t scare me, Joseph. You know what happened last time.

(Joseph) Sorry about that dear. Luckily you’re good at restraining yourself compared to back then. Now about Luke, is he doing okay?

Tilting his head to the right, he took a step forward as the light of the TV from the living room managed to showcase some of his right arm and hand. Catching a glimpse of the pale skin and old and worn knuckles of his right hand, Mary clasped both of her hands together as she looked down toward the wooden floor.

(Mary) You know… he’s so … so—

(Joseph) Acting like a kid his age. Don’t worry, he’ll grow out of it. But Mary dear.

Taking a couple of steps forward, the light at the end of the hallway managed to showcase the entirety of the tuxedo man’s body. The light showcasing him, caused Mary’s eyes to sparkle in the darkness that overwhelmed her just the same way as it overwhelmed Luke.

His eyes pushed down, he lit up a small smile that only caused the right corner of his lip to curl upward, leading Mary to look up at him.

(Joseph) You understand why Luke feels this way. You’ve experienced this type of scenario too, no?

(Mary) I know.

(Joseph) And don’t worry, cause tomorrow…

Joseph pulled both of his hands out of his tuxedo pockets, placing them on Mary’s wrists which were right below where her stomach was. Caressing the bones of her wrists with just both of his thumbs, he made sure her eyes were sparkling at his own dimmed eyes.

And with just a little tug, Mary soon was right in front of his chest, allowing Joseph to wrap his arms around her as her pointed ears slightly grazed his cheek.

(Joseph) We’re going to go on an exotic trip. I’m not telling where, but promise not to tell Luke.

(Mary) But where though?

(Joseph) It’s a secret.

Wrapping her arms around his lower waist, the half-elf’s left ear nuzzled its way toward his beating chest soothed her soul.

Just hearing the pounding heartbeat of a man who vowed to be with her for the rest of her life, only caused her to close her eyes and let her body slump at him. As she was distracted, Joseph noticed that the TV light from the living room was still on, leading to him pulling out his right hand forward as he still cradled his wife in his arms.

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His palm extending outward onto the TV, he eyed the program where it showed the late-night news.

(Joseph’s thoughts) Off.

While the TV light from the end of the hallway soon started to turn static, ending the program where the couple left off.

______________________________________________________________________________

(Libertatem 1, 59 / 6:05AM)

(The Roof)

The city was shrouded in what one may call hell.

Smoke was rampant throughout the excursion of the twelve hours that it endured from the attacks of the liches. Not only was the city looted from top to bottom, but the presence of debris and glass shards littering every sidewalk and street became a common sight for the common soldier to see.

In a way, the scenery made it as if all hope was lost.

Despite their best efforts, no one had the gall to stop the burning monster that was rummaging through downtown, the monster’s fiery flames scorching the reddish clouds above. Making a trail of destruction and flames, in her path, the monster only had one reason or goal to achieve.

(Sidney) W-Water … die …

Her lower jaw moving to form a small cavemen-like statement, continued to stomp on Terra as the ground beneath her crumbled from the heat. Like a star that continued to burn and burn, her light and heat didn’t falter for as long as she could draw breath…

And as long as she could execute what she was tasked to do.

(Sidney) W-Water … die … must.

But right next to the water pump facility was none other than the tallest tower of the city, The Zirardge Tower which was so high, that it pierced the reddish clouds in the sky.

Some of its structure was chipped off from Gwen and Camerons’ earlier battle, leading to the stability of the building severely weakening as a result. Because of it, it led the floors high above to sway back and forth from the motion of the gusting winds that traversed together with the reddish smoke.

Just above the clouds, just above the many floors filled with desk cubicles and papers, was none other than the roof of the building.

And what emerged from an elevator in the early morning of the dark was none other than…

(Luke) We made it!

Six people sprouted out from an elevator that was latched onto the back area of the roof of the building, the metal door opening wide.

The front runner was none other than a man with light brown hair, wielding dual-wielding uzis with both of his tightly gripped hands. As for the others, all of them wielded weapons that they were all too familiar with, but with one person carrying something rather than wielding something.

Fred snuggled the metal invention he made as if it were a baby, taking in rasped and deep breaths as some fresh wind blew against his face.

(Fred) Finally … gasps … some fresh air!

Being dead last in the group, Fred dragged his feet across the marbled floor that was accustomed to his sneakers, his arms on the verge of letting go of the heavyweight bomb.

The six of them managed to view the rest of the soldiers and their comrades that awaited them, all of them sitting down or lying on the marble as they arched their heads or bodies up. Seeing the bomb being delivered in one piece, the last bastion of hope that was swallowed up by the plague sky was soon thrown out back from its mouth.

As the soldiers lit up carefree smiles.

(Miles) Oh shit, you guys did it!

(Luna) Luke!

(Stan, Gary, and Diego) You guys!

Five of their closest friends surrounded Luke, Fred, and the rest of the group.

Luna, being the first one of the group of five, pushed her heels off the ground as she managed to stand right in front of Luke in an instant. The wind being blown against his right side bang, Luke took a step back as Luna immediately folded her arms and looked up at the young man who was a few inches taller than her.

(Luna) Are you hurt? Did anybody hurt you?

(Luke) Luckily for us, Elizabeth can use her blessing for healing, but I heard it’s not the best.

(Luna) I don’t care. Are you hurt?

(Luke) No, why?

Luna continued to stare into the depths of his red eyes, his right eye being blocked by his right side bang that caused her to moisten her lips.

Unfortunately for her, there was one other girl who was right behind him, her head popping out from his left shoulder. Instead of having her hands on his side like normal, she kept her hands to herself, as she had both of her hands inside her pants pockets.

(Luna) What’s the matter blondy? You don’t look too touchy with Luke, you finally know your place?

(Hope) E-Excuse me?

(Luna) You heard me.

(Hope) A-And you’re not touchy either?!

Luna let out a scoff as she then rolled her eyes.

Puffing out her chest with her folded arms to make it look bigger, she tilted her head upward so that she had the power to look down on the blonde-haired girl behind Luke. Clicking her tongue, another male voice came into play, his voice silky and smooth like honey.

(Jack) Oh, you should’ve seen it, Hope. Luna was this close.

(Luna) Shut up!

(Jack) You see Hope after Gwen saved Luna, and with Luke comforting Luna’s little trauma, she repaid it by trying to kiss Luke. I don’t mean just a simple kiss on the forehead or cheek, no, but right where—

(Luna) Just shut the hell up!

Stomping the ground with her right foot, the sharp edges of her heel clacked the marble floor as she curled her hands into fists. Walking toward the red-haired, well-groomed man who wielded a sniper rifle, he began to walk backward as a bead of sweat rolled down his right temple.

(Jack) Hey, hey, hey! I’m just trying to tell her what happened!

(Luna) I don’t want to hear it from you!

(Jack) Then l-let your cutie pie break the news for—

Jack’s heels caressed the edge of the stone that was right along the edge of the tower.

Putting his right hand in front of while wielding the sniper with his left, his palm faced the direction of Luna, lowering his head down like a turtle that retreats in his shell. Standing right in front of him, Luna immediately grabbed his collar with her right hand, pulling his face close to hers despite the height difference being huge.

Puckering up his lips, Jack arched his head back, his face trailing droplets of sweat that trickled down onto the ground.

(Luna) Say one more word… I fucking dare you…

(Jack) … gubernatorial.

(Luna) You little—!

A soft hand gripped her right shoulder.

Snapping out from her enlightened rage, she looked behind her shoulder to notice a girl’s face that was tilted downward, her face darkened as her eyes peered at the uncracked floor. Unable to see her blue eyes, strands of blonde hair shadowed her face as the young woman’s nails started to dig into Luna’s skin.

(Luna) What do you want?

(Hope) What … What did you and Luke do in this tower…

Letting go of Jack’s collar, Luna turned her entire body around so that her height towered over Hope’s. Jack, who happened to be set free from Luna’s wrath, noticed an opening from one of the clouds that was below him.

(Jack’s thoughts) What the…

Meanwhile, Luna exhaled as she placed both of her hands to her sides. Tilting her head upward, a sly smirk crept up to her ear as her entire body radiated a sense of cockiness.

(Luna) Try to guess.

(Hope) …

(Luna) What’s that? Do you want me to spell it out for you?

(Hope) … You’re bluffing, you didn’t kiss him.

Having her hands curled into fists, Hope let them loose as she placed them onto her thighs. Still having her face tilted downward, Luna still couldn’t decipher the look on Hope’s face, even when she started to lean her head as she bent forward.

Her sly smile turned into a devilish grin, and her left eyebrow raised upward, which caused many of the other soldiers and Dark Angels alike to slowly creep up to the two of them.

(Luna) In denial? Can’t admit defeat?

(Hope) Because…

Hope tilted her head upward.

This caused Luna’s devilish grin to quickly be swept away because Hope was making…

Was not one of timidness nor happiness, her usual shy demeanor being replaced by the facial expression that Luna used several seconds ago. Her eyes pushed down, her lips creating a smug grin, her head slouched down as she moistened her lips by the furrowed brow face that Luna was making.

(Hope) I kissed him a few hours ago when you were sleeping.

Everyone on the tower glued their feet still on the marble floor.

All the Dark Angels that heard the commotion unfold either turned to look at the two girls or Luke, their eyes gazing at both of them at the same time. Covering their hands over their mouths or letting their jaws drop, two people didn’t follow through with the normal shocked reaction.

Luke’s face turned redder than a tomato, his heart pounding the innards of his chest that made him grip his chest area with his hand.

(Luke) W-W-We didn’t kiss!

(Hope) Well, we almost did.

(Luke) H-Hope!

Miles, Jack, Fred, Stan, Gary, and Diego all glared at him with penetrating looks, their arms folding against one another as they ground the ends of their teeth. Their faces darkened despite the sky above them still blocked by the extra layer of smoke that was still lingering above them during the first half of the raids, all the men slowly formed a circle around him.

Except for Jack who continued to look down at the broken cloud that allowed him to see an opening on the ground.

(Luke) Uh …

As for Luna.

(Luna) You…

Slamming her molars shut, her hands that were placed on her hips were soon let loose from her body, her fingers already curled up into knuckle-breaking fists. Her eyes turned bloodshot, her chest breathing heavily, and the sounds of her rasped breaths of fresh air that were situated inside of her lungs were then trapped as she straightened her back. Using her left hand, she grabbed the collar of the smug grin young woman with blue eyes, her right fist still down onto her thigh as her nostrils flared imaginary steam.

(Luna) f… curse you…

(Hope) Gonna cry?

(Luna) F…F…!

(Jack) Uh … guys?

Panning his attention toward the large commotion that was in the back of him, he noticed the many soldiers and friends that hurdled around Luke. As the men continued to toss around Luke like a little ragdoll, but in a playful and kid-like manner, they left the woman’s issues to be dealt with on their own.

Having his right foot on the edge of the stone cement, Jack cleared his throat as a small vein sprouted out from the edge of his right temple.

(Jack) Hey, guys?

(Gary) Give Luke a couple of more pushes around the rosie!

(Stan) Agreed!

(Miles) Let’s push him hard!

(Fred) Trying to rub it on our faces huh Luke!?

(Diego) Why you!? It should’ve been me! Not you!

(Luke) W-W-W-W-W-W-

His entire body spun around like an endless Ferris wheel, his arms were controlled by the changing motion of the relentless spins that the men bestowed on him. It didn’t take long before he became a human hot potato to the envied men.

Luna thrusted her right hand on top of Hope’s head, putting her knuckles against her scalp. Instead of punching like she usually did, she rubbed the top of Hope’s head like a drill, with bits of dandruff flaking all over her clothes.

(Hope) Ow! S-Stop it!

(Luna) I’ll make a hole inside of your skull, you hear me!

(Jack) Guys!

Everyone looked toward the red-haired man who flared his nostrils outward.

(Jack) Look down there!

Seeing that he wielded his sniper rifle with just his left hand, they saw his right hand pointed downward onto the city that was below them. Tilting their heads, furrowing their brows, or making nonchalant faces, all of them slowly walked as their boots clacked the marbled floor that didn’t let out a trace of cracks.

Standing in front of Jack; Luke, Hope, Luna, Miles, Stan, Gary, Fred, Diego; even Johnny and Elizabeth.

All looked down to see what lay beyond the broken city that was beyond repair.

Squinting their eyes at the opening, they all noticed a trail of destruction, with houses and buildings crushed and destroyed as if a literal war went on down there. Luke, who had his hands gripping the edge of the building with just his sweaty and smooth yet rough hands, gripped the marble that didn’t cut or scrap his hands.

(Luke) What happened down there…

(Miles) Was it a steamer?

(Stan) Unlikely, there would be a lot of large holes if that were the case.

(Gary) Then what about that charger we saw in the complex?

(Fred) Maybe, but the agents said that they took care of it…

The men rubbed their chins with their fingers, their eyes analyzing the damage that became too unholy for their eyes to take in.

Tapping their chins repeatedly, they also noticed a figure that lay on the asphalt below them. Jack, who was renowned for his eyesight, squinted his eyes as he glanced at the men that were to the right of him.

(Jack) What do you think it is?

(Luke) Can’t tell from this distance.

(Fred) How about you use your sniper Jack?

(Jack) Ooh, you’re right!

Placing the butt of his gun into his right shoulder, he made sure that the edge was nestled tightly into his armpit as he held the center of the mass with his left hand. Having his pointer finger on the side of the metal, Jack had the scope of the rifle placed onto his right eye, squinting into the scope as he soon saw the figure that lay down on the cement.

And at that moment, Jack dropped the rifle.

And turned toward the others as his eyes widened.

(Luke) What is it, Jack?

All the rest of the soldiers let out a huge gulp that traversed the unsmoked air.

Their hands either clasped against one another or dropped to their sides, their legs remained still like a frozen block of ice or wobbled like a rocking horse in the middle of a playground. Continued to have his face in the direction of everyone watching, even people like Johnny and Elizabeth soon huddled against the elite soldiers who awaited the news.

Jack then took out his walkie talkie from his jacket pocket.

(Jack) Boris, we might need your help. It’s Gwen. It’s bad.