Chapter 1

The rain fell, just like the hopes of those who lived in the empire of Tyraide

Sprinting through the stone alleyway the squish of footsteps echoed off the buildings lighting the night sky.

The liquid a mix of blood and water; truly a disgusting sight Samuel thought. As he continued sprinting only hearing faint yelling and booms ring out in the distance. His sister clutching a small bear plushie as she tried to keep up with the mad run her brother was in.

The Empire of Tyraide was a technological wonder throughout the known world. Many other nations were either jealous or glad to be an ally to the leader of Tyraide. The nearby nation of Elenoic was not happy to be constantly overshadowed by Tyraide. Elenoic was also a technological nation capable of rivaling the progress that Tyraide had, but Elenoic technological advancements were not in peace nor in their industries.

Rather, their military might.

Elenoic staged a multi-pronged stage attack. Elenoic generals focused on the little military that Tyraide had which consisted mainly of other nation mercenaries or those who were warmongers.

The year was 1393.

The time was nigh midnight.

The weather, a monsoon.

Radio chatter filled the headphones of all the pilots as base Bravo Tango Romeo came to life.

“bzzshh Alpha-1 do you read?”

“This is Alpha-1 I copy.” responded the pilot stoically.

“Alpha-1 your mission should have been already debriefed to you before this sortie correct?” the radio operator inquired.

“Yes sir.”

“There's been a change of plans.”

“Sir?” A hint of confusion came to the pilot before shaking it off.

“Yes we’ve changed your Air-to-Air missiles to Air-to-Ground. A little prototype the boys in R&D made.”

“Sir what exactly does this prototype do if I may ask?”

“Simply put Alpha-1 it's a missile that’s a fire bomb.”

The pilot began to think of his response before getting interrupted.

“The objective is still the same, except you and your squad will be torching station 11 instead of blowing it up.”

“Sir, I don't understand the sudden change.”

“Trust me Alpha-1 if I had an answer I’d give it to you, but leadership just told us to change, so unless you want to have leadership breathing down our necks I’d recommend just going through the mission.”

The pilot, not exactly thrilled with the idea of trying to file paperwork instead of flying with his squad made his decision instantly.

“I understand, are there any different changes or is everything still the same.”

“Nope you’ve hit it right on the nail Alpha-1 everything else is still the same begin readying for taxi.”

“Roger.”

The low hum of the electromagnetic engine controlled jets began to warm up and crews were finishing the charge of the jet and the changing of the payloads that Alpha squad was carrying. The taxi’s began moving the planes to the runway; as the pilots did their routine flight checks before taking control whilst the taxi’s started moving out of the way.

“bzzt shh Alpha squad, you're cleared for take off.”

The crew of station 11 was blissfully unaware of the attack that was nearing them. Playing card games, drinking, and watching the game.

The only noise besides the pitapatting of water was the quiet low hum of electromagnetic engine controlled jets that were going subsonic.

“Alpha-1 this is Sierra November Delta Hotel Quebec; strike is officially now approved, release your payload and RTB for an immediate refuel and change of payloads.”

A quiet hiss before a stoic response came through the radio.

“Roger.”

“Delta squad release your payload and continue the assault to gain Air supremacy.”

“Roger”

The sound of metal detaching from the jets ringed out as an engine screamed to life.

It screeched vociferously as it slammed into the base.

The missile exploded once causing it to detonate the mantium which sparked to life.

The once quiet and discreet strike quickly stabbed the heart of the Tyraide people as the small air bases that were mainly for publicity and for the people turned into a raging inferno.

The second round of the missile came and burrowed themselves into the airstrip causing a delayed detonation and fracturing the earth's crust.

The final waves of missiles came and sank themselves deep into the hangar causing multi-stage explosions due to the planes inside.

The charred screams echoed in the night sky as the sound of the earth cried out whilst being crushed by metal. Booms were the thunder in the distance as the tanks roared from the hills. The railgun shots blasted through people and material, acting indifferent towards the change of medium that it was going through.

Cuts and burns were on the few who survived the initial strike, the base was ripped to shreds. The airstrip was a gutted fish, the hangers were crushed into cardboard including any plane that they may have harbored. The fuel reserves and ammo stashes only fueled the hungry inferno.

The entire base was baptized in fire spreading to the nearby building in the city.

Samuel continued to try and outpace the flames which towered over them whilst pulling on his sister. They made each turn with staggered breaths. Until they saw a building that they recognized.

Their once cherished and loving home was set ablaze.

“...Do you think mom and dad made it out?” Kimberly barely managed to ask before continuing to shake from the biting cold.

“I’m not sure...” Samuel said with a shaky breath as the fire continued to eat their home. The wood supports cracked and fell making the thoughts reverberate through their minds. Loud sirens and people yelling and screaming filled the air.

Firefighters were becoming stretched thin

The missile Elenoic used were highly experimental, but Mantium was a highly flammable material allowed for even small shreds of the element being exposed to oxygen allowed it to turn into a raging fire bomb only being quenched by introducing phyxium which allowed for its bonds to connect and quelching the hungry flame.

The only issue is that these missiles and material were classified

Water only fueled the flames.

This strike was done to multiple sections of the empire leaving it all the more defenseless.

Elenoic after hearing of the great success the attacks had; began looking towards the resources and a full scale land invasion. The once proud nation of Tyraide began to show the fragile cracks it had after the initial strike.

Panic was deeply sowed into the heart of the leaders of Tyraide after hearing the early reports of the attack, but they had no idea who could have attacked them. After all they were considered either neutral or on good terms on most nations that were known and recognized by the federation. Even their next door neighbor, Elenoic was thought to be passive towards Tyraide since they engaged in multiple huge advantageous trades of land and resources.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Sire, we must figure out who did this attack!”

“Sire, we must address the public about our response!”

“Sire, we must get you to cover!”

The nagging of the officials demanding a response from the leader was beginning to get to him after being forcefully taken from his bed, dressed, and immediately put into a conference room.

“I will do what I must do when I need to. At the moment we need to let those on the outskirts learn that they may become put under a more dangerous situation after learning about this recent development.” The King spoke whilst still having a small hint of unease inside his voice. After all, throughout the entire development of Tyraide no attack was this detrimental nor important to them throughout their entire history.

The other officials began whispering and murmuring after the king's response; however, none dared to speak out towards his judgment.

Samuel and Kimberly walked towards a nearby bench as the light from their home ablaze continued to reflect off their tears.

“ATTENTION CITIZENS ON THE OUTSKIRTS.” echoed through the desolate area.

“You may come under more attacks due to multiple bases near our borders seemed to be-”

Samuel and Kimberly ignored the radio address; they were busy watching the home that they grew up burning into charcoal, including their fond memories.

“Sammy what are we going to do? Our home and our possessions are gone all fucking burnt and destroyed?!”

“Kiki, you know mom and dad wouldn't like you swearing.” Samuel said in a teasing tone.

“Mom and Dad are probably fucking dead I don’t think they’ll care about what I say anymore Sammy.”

Samuel gave an aspirated sigh of defeat and thought if their parents would’ve been able to make it out?

“I mean we don’t know that they’re truly dead. They could’ve made it out since fire takes some time to fully burn something like wood right?”

“If they were alive then why haven’t they come back, we’re here and that means they should be here too.” whined Kimberly.

“That’s not exactly how it works Kiki, but I mean you do you.” Samuel tries to ignore the nagging idea that they truly could be alone and they’re sitting only feet away from their parents grave.

Kimberly sticks her tongue out in annoyance as she quietly goes back to playing with her stuffed bear trying to ignore the fire, only to notice that the bear's cold black eyes reflect the warmth of the fire.

Samuel looks around to see how many other houses were on fire, but they were either already destroyed or beginning to become one with the fire

“Shit.” Samuel thought, “How are we even going to get fucking food tomorrow, this just is a bad dream, it has to be. Our entire fucking world can’t just be destroyed like this.”

“Sammy?”

“What Kiki.” snapped Samuel.

Kiki got slightly scared after seeing her older brother in the agitated state he was in and quietly murmured, “I-i-i’m hungry.” her teeth were still chattering from the cold.

“I-” Samuel stops and tries to think of a place that they could go only to be met with another drop from the roller coaster that they were going through.

“I uh doubt any place is open at the moment Kiki. I mean we just got attacked for the first time in our history I think. I don’t think any place will serve any food, especially to us kids.” He murmured the last part of the sentence hoping Kimberly wouldn’t try and make a fuse over the idea.

“Ugh, fine, but I want food tomorrow. Maybe we could go to the breakfast place we went to a few days ago?” Kiki asked excitedly.

“Maybe we need to find a place to sleep though, this place is fucking hell and I don’t think we are going to be able to just sleep in this frigid cold.”

Kiki quietly snickered, “hehe I don’t think mom and dad would like you swearing Sammy.”

“Can it Kiki.”

Kimberly quietly laughs, hoping her older brother doesn’t get too angry with her as they slowly walk towards the central area of transportation and away from their home, still burning brighter than the moonlit sky.

***

As they finally arrive at the bus stop they are met with a huge swarm of people and constant swearing and grievances being placed on the police trying their best to contain the situation.

“FUCK YOU MAN MY HOUSE GOT BURNT LET US ON THE BUS!” a citizen was heard screaming at the officer.

“Listen those of you who paid for their tickets will be allowed, as for the rest of you either wait for tomorrow, or wait for relatives to come and pick you up.” The police men continued to state over the megaphones.

Samuel cursed under his breath as he tried to figure out a way to get on the buses to hopefully see if they couldn’t try and get to their grandparents or other relatives.

“Sammy, do you have any money to buy us tickets?” Kimberly innocently asked.

“I doubt they are still selling any Kiki.” Samuel responded while still slightly shivering. We need to get out of this damn cold he thought as he looked towards the station crowded with people still. We could try and go in there, he thought. The people there would probably be able to warm us up.

He quickly tried to pull Kimberly into the station.

“Hey what are you doi-”

The station doors quietly hiss open. It seems that they walked into the exit path so no one is around to tell them off.

“Listen Kiki we’re probably going to freeze to death unless we either get to the crowd or get on a train or bus out of here.” Kimberly slightly nods in understanding, but is still concerned with how serious her brother seems to be.

They both continue to walk around aimlessly through the station, trying to use the occasional maps to their advantage only to be met with even more confusion.

“What the Fuck even is this.” Samuel groans in annoyance.

Kimberly snickers and asks, “awww poor little sammy can’t read maps.”

Samuel was about to snap back, but realized that this not only wasn't the time but also wasn't the place since he started hearing more people complaining.

“SCREW YOU MAN I BOUGHT MY TICKET!”

“SHUT UP AND GIVE IT.” Samuel moves in a more defense stance around Kimberly after hearing those who were arguing over the tickets.

They quietly continued to shuffle through the crowds; occasional bumps and nudges were felt but they persisted through. As they were nearing the station where the trains were they saw that people were still pushing and shoving and then they saw it…A train was coming through the station and a man was screaming and pleading for someone to help him…squelch…the train was indifferent towards him…

Samuel shuddered and quietly pointed at something else to distract Kimberly

“Hey Kiki, look there’s a food stance.”

“WHERE!” shouted Kimberly as she excitedly snapped her head to where Samuel was pointing.

The food stand was for hot dogs and the line seemed to be short so they quickly got into line hoping that they had enough money to buy some food. The night still resonated through the station showing the despair that they felt after being violently attacked. The shouting and yelling slowly stopped as the moon began shining on the main clock for the station.

Samuel and Kimberly moved through the line rather quickly. As they reached the front the man asked, “Hello there, what can I get you?”

Samuel nudges Kimberly and she sheepishly asks “Can I get a hot dog with ketchup and relish please?”

The man quietly nodded and quickly turned towards Samuel, “And for you sir?”

“The same please.” Samuel quickly responded hoping the man doesn't deluge into any more conversation that they don’t need.

The man nodded and quickly prepared the food for them with much more precision than Samuel was expecting, but was glad that the man was being efficient. The man quickly gives them both their hot dogs and wishes them a good night.

“That man seemed nice, no Sammy?”

“I suppose, but let’s eat quickly and try to find a way to get on a train here.”

Kiki was slightly disappointed and asked, “Why a train?”

“Because on a bus they'll see us clearer, but since a train has multiple entrances we might be able to sneak on and hope that the stop that they kick us out on is near one of our relatives.”

Kimberly thinks about it and approves of the idea, and nods in agreements.

As quickly as they got their food they ate and began looking at the destination routes of the different trains. The central area was less crowded due to many people already knowing where they needed to go. The quiet hum of the heaters in the place made the attack feel like it never happened, but the strike was only one with many more to come.

Samuel continues to look at the schedule trying to figure out where half the locations are even supposed to be. In a sight of defeat Kimberly looks at the charts and quickly notices district 4; which is where they’re grandparents live.

“Hey Sammy, guess what I found.”

“Listen Kiki, I'm not in the mood for games at the moment, just tell me.”

“Awww you're no fun” whines Kimberly.

Samuel gives an annoyed grunt before Kimberly finally gives in, “I found a train that’ll take us to district 4.”

“Seriously? To our grandparents?” He quickly starts looking through the charts to see where she was talking about.

“It's right here.” she points to train number 7.

Samuel quickly grabs her arm and pulls her to where number 7 was.

“Eep.”

***

Samuel and Kimberly finally arrive where station 7 was, but there was a person standing asking for tickets.

“Shitttt” Samuel quietly thought to himself. Why was the ticketer outside? Aren’t they supposed to be machines that do that? He soon noticed the people in cuffs and the swarm of police in the area.

Kimberly quietly whispered, “So what’s the plan?”

“I’m not sure.” Samuel continued to try and figure out how they were going to slip behind the guards only to realize that the ticketing people noticed them just standing there.

“Hello, do you have your tickets?” The man was wearing a black and gold suit giving him a very serious atmosphere, but the way he spoke to them acted like a parental figure.

Kimberly quickly jumped in and said “Sorry, haha our parents have our tickets, and they’re already on the train.”

The man chuckled lightly and asked, “Well what is your seat number then?” Kimberly slightly stumbled on her words realizing that they might get caught.

The man chuckled again and said, “Your seats are 4a and 4b.” He hands them 2 tickets and continues to walk around asking people waiting for the train for their ticket.

“What the hell was that about?” whispered Samuel.

“I don’t know, but he was nice at least.” responded Kimberly

The train slowly hissed its doors opening and they quickly walked towards their seats and plopped down. Kimberly laid her head on Samuels shoulder and slowly fell asleep; Samuel soon followed after the train groaning back into motion.