"Get those Carriers to the enemy base. We can still win this." shouted John.

"Going. My 10 units of Dark Templars are already there by the way." replied Ivan.

"Damn. That sure was fast. But I still need those Carriers on that base." John replied.

A few minutes passed and cheering was heard in the room. Both guys were playing in Ivan's house. Ivan and John had won the game they both were playing. StarCraft II is the game both people are playing. Both guys are just your casual players on the game with a very unique play style when both of them are on the same team. Different story if they are enemies though. Both are talking while walking to John's house after playing.

--Ivan POV--

"What a close game that was. If I didn't have an Observer in that location when were definitely will lose that game." I said to John who was the brother of my wife.

"You're right. But seriously though. Why are your units composed of only Dark Templars, Carriers & a Warp Prism? That kind of unit gameplay isn't cutting in if you compare to the Leagues or tournaments." replied John.

"I got you as the primary vanguard. You are a very professional player of the Zerg. You are my shield that will defend my base while I am your sword who will end the game. I was making sure that once I appear the curtain falls on the enemy!" replied the enthusiastic me.

"Dramatic guy aren't you, huh? "*sigh* " Can't help it though. We have been playing for a b-" John statement was cut-off as I pulled him to my side.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

was heard loudly as several firetrucks and ambulances passed us by quickly.

"What was that but thanks for the save bro." John said with cold sweat covering his forehead.

"It's fine. Why are they in a rush though." I exclaimed. I notice after 2 more trucks passed us by that the direction they are heading is very familiar. "John, I have a bad feeling that we need to run to your house. Quickly and right now."

John looked at me with bewilderment on his face but he knows that when I said something like this it is usually serious.

"Yeah lets!"

We then both ran as fast as our two legs can carry us. Fortunately we both were trained in martial arts when were still kids so we got there pretty quick. As they were nearing John's house the number of onlookers and firefighters were increasing along with evacuees leaving the area. What greeted us was a raging red fire engulfing the surrounding houses and thick black smoke covering the skies.

"No. This is not happening." John spoke with disbelief in his eyes.

--John POV--

"MOTHER! CHRISTIAN! WHERE ARE YOU!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. I looked at the evacuating crowd hoping to find my family. A few heart crushing minutes has passed and I still haven't found them.

"MOTHER! WHERE ARE YOU!" I shouted louder. Tears clouding my sight as I frantically searched the evacuating crowd.

"John! We're here!" an old lady shouted in reply. I dashed quickly and embraced my mother with tears falling from my eyes.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

"Mother! You are safe! Thank God you are safe! *sniff"

"We are fine John, your brothers and sisters are safe. We got out before the fire spread to the house." she said.

I am ever glad that they got out. I checked on them and see that they were covered in a thin layer of soot. They were dirty but at least we are together. I saw my sister hold a baby. Thank goodness he's alive. I helped them evacuate out of the place. Ivan's wife ,Camille, is also with them.

"Sweetie! Thank goodness you are here!" Camille passed the baby to her mother and hugged the stunned and worried Ivan beside me. "Sweetie?"

".......wheres my daughter....." Ivan whispered.

"Huh? Your what?" I asked.

"Where is my daughter?" Ivan said with coldness in his voice.

"She is-"

"WHERE IS SHE?"

Camille looked down and slowly turned her head and her eyes pointing at the blazing inferno.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" Ivan ran with haste entering into the crimson fire.

We have played together and laugh at each other's jokes. I was with him when he married my sister and when my dear niece ,cute little Summer, was born. He was and always is my best friend. I watched as he ran into the raging fire as it seems to swallow him whole never to release him.

--Ivan POV--

Rushing into the fire with nothing but a white shirt, flip-flops and a camouflage pants is a very stupid thing to do. With dancing flames all around me, I reached John's house. I was trying to find a way in when I heard a child's crying.

'Please be safe. Please, please.' I chanted those words like a mantra over and over again in my head.

I found a door and kicked it as hard as I can. I felt pain in my right leg but I heard the crying growing louder.

'She's near here!' I went inside the living room and scanned the surroundings but I was not able to find my daughter. 'Just where is she?'

I checked and found a half burn stairs. I ran up and heard screaming louder than ever. I check the first room. Nothing. Went out and entered the second room. Still nothing but the red flames. I heard a weak scream.

'No, please be here. Please be here.' I entered the third room and found my daughter. It was a miracle that the cradle she was in was not burned. I took her and wrapped her in a clean blanket I found. I looked at her crying face.

'Don't worry my angel, Daddy's here. Daddy's here.' I whispered. My daughter looked at me and she stopped crying and curled up on the blanket and took her out of the room. I dashed immediately to the stairs but I only found burning cinders. The stairs cannot be used anymore. I look and found the window.

'This is a two-storey building. I can't jump that high.' I looked around and found nothing. I looked again at my little angel. Gathering all my courage I fixed my sights on the window. 'For my angel, I will find a way. For her and her future.' I took a few steps back which my gaze still on the windows. I stepped forward as soon as the blazing fire wrapped around me.

--John POV--

"You what?" I shouted angrily at my brother, Christian. while holding his collar pulling him near me.

"I said I left her alone on the third room." Christian meekly replied.

"Why on fuck's sake you left a barely 5 month old baby alone in a burning house and you didn't grab her?"

"Because....Because she isn't my child..."

*BAM*

Unable to hold my seething anger, I punched my brother directly on his face breaking his nose. Christian fell down on the ground with his nose bleeding. I grabbed him once again with my two hands on his shirt's collar bringing him up to my face.

"You fucker. You and your niece are on the same room and before the fire spreads to the house you went out?! You didn't grab her because she isn't your child, huh?! Your older sister took your son with her even though she isn't the mother and you just left her daughter because she isn't your child?! What kind of fucking excuse is that?" I shouted at him again.

My sister, Camille, stared at Christian with dead eyes. It has not been long since she gave birth and she now lost her only daughter. I reeled in my fist once again to punch this shit of a brother of mine when I heard the crowd shouting.

"A demon! Fuck were are doomed!" a man shouted as he pointing to a man-shaped shadow emerging from the flaming inferno.

I gazed into the direction he pointed. I saw it. I saw him.

"Stop, I know him! He is my best friend!" I released Christian and he dropped down with a loud thud and grabbed a pail of water from the nearest guy and dumped the whole thing on him. My sister followed and did the same thing. He looked at my sister and handed something wrapped in a white blanket which he tried to open. I saw my brother's baby, smiling. I stared at him as he spoke to my sister and when I heard my crying sister reply he fell down. I tried to wake him up but I know deep in my heart he is never rising again. I knew him. My best friend. My brother. My sword.

--Ivan POV--

I felt something broke as I fell to the hard ground but I didn't care. I checked my daughter and found that there is nothing wrong with her. She is still curled up. I tried to stand but it hurts so much. Red flames caught my pants. My flip-flops long burned along with my feet. I stood up with wobbly legs. Each step much more agonizing than the last. I didn't know how long was I walking but it felt like an eternity. My eyes starting to fail me. Hungry flames started to reach me. I hasten my pace to reach the exit if there was.

"A demon! Fuck we are doomed." I heard a silhouette shouting. I guess I looked like a demon now. A silhouette rushed to my location holding something. I guess he is gonna hit me. What a sad life.

'Please don't hurt me. My baby is with me.' I pleaded on my head not that I could shout. I looked at the man when I felt something cold. Water? A few moments I felt another splashed over me. The next person went near to me saying something. I guess my hearing is slowly failing me too, huh. Nevertheless, I extended my hands and handed to that person my baby.

I forced my mouth to open and tried to speak some words.

"Here.....my baby.....I love her.....take care.....please" I worked my hands and tried to open the blanket to show whoever this silhouette my baby. With my failing eyes, I tried to focus on my daughter's face. I saw my daughter's smile. A very sweet smile.

"I will....and I love you..." the silhouette replied.

I lost all of my strength at that moment. I felt the whole world spinning. I saw flashes in my eyes. My memories when I was a kid playing with sand. That sweet moment when I graduated. The day I found my loving wife. And lastly, my daughter's sweet smile.

I have lived my life to the fullest. I have but one regret: not able to watch my daughter grow.