Elicerent

XXX.

The Elicerent was so calm and quiet. Everyone had indeed left to celebrate and hear the Elders address. I knew what was about to happen; the moon had risen, and Owen was likely asking the Elders permission to speak. I tried to push it as far from my mind as I could. Everyone was in the settlement and would be making merriment. I longed to be there with them. But that was not my purpose. I knew deep down that if I didn't do this, I was be chased by the Minister and would never be free.

It was the right choice and was for the greater good of society. By the time those in the settlement heard the aircraft, it would be too late. There would be nothing anyone could do. Nothing to stop the inevitable.

I checked the perimeter to ensure that all the lamps and fires were strong. As I came to sit at the main fire, I could hear the deep hum of the craft. They would arrive at their destination and lay waste to all that was below. I did not know why, but I could not; no, would not leave the maps of the settlement for the Minister. So, I left the detailed map of Elicerent. Everyone in the settlement would be safe and the Minister would be kept at bay, at least for a time. Elicerent would be destroyed, and me along with it.

The hum grew with every passing moment, and I thought of Owen. Then I heard the whistling. That was when I knew that the craft had let go of their explosives. I closed my eyes...

I lay there, exposed, and vulnerable, feeling the cool breeze against my skin. The light filtered through the trees that remained, casting green shadows over my charred body. I felt cold, as the wind connected with my settled limbs. Still, I looked up to the sky. I felt myself sink into the earth that I lay on, and even though I heard them, I could not tell my body to respond to the noises around me. A single tear escaped, and I closed my eyes.