EVOLUTION [Chapters 20 -30 Soon]

Chapter 12: Abandon Ship

JANUARY 28th, 20XX: 4:00 PM

During my time as a samurai and soldier for peace, I vow my life and soul to protecting the citizens of this region, and the entire world. I also hope to learn more about the planet we were graced with, and connect with it even if I am not a woodling.
I wish to connect with the night and day, even if I'm not a Flame or a Fallen. I wish to connect with the citizens and people of the region with soul alone, even if i'm not a soul. My masters have trained me well, and I will forever be ready whenever threats to the world around us are made, whether it's a city level, to universal level threat.
I am like the hero that will be there whenever I can, because I am a samurai.

-Kylario Embers Diary N.52

"Alright so can we catch up with the rest of the people now?" Nelson asks.
"I guess so, but I'm really gonna miss being a hero like that. It was fun fighting the demon when it was still small, I felt seriously powerful." Grace replied as she giggled.
"Im just glad we were actually able to help, and they even took Erik and Eli's plan into consideration." Flare added. "Now let's get out of here so we don't get in the way of the military and the police force."
"That reminds me, Lila what happened to your brother? What group did he go to?" James asks.
"Oh.. uh I don't know but he said he would join the group we were in.." Lila replied with a slight stutter.
He might be helping in the city then.. those monsters back there looked ruthless, especially the flying ones." Erik said.
"Uh- guys? Theres something heading towards us." Nelson said in a distressed tone, however nobody heard him as they were all engaged in the conversation about the new types of zombies. "Guys?" He said, repeating it twice, louder the second time. "GUYS! GET DOWN!" He shouted at everyone, startling them. Him and the others eventually get down, just barely missing the flying enemies that appeared in the sky. Flare counted 3 of them and immediately began a counter attack.
In that moment, Flare strategized in an insane amount of time, grabbing a stick in the process. He believed that he could ignite the top of the stick to inflict more damage on the enemy, as when he last saw the zombies blood, it looked quite flammable, Somewhat like oil, or gas. The zombies came rushing down again almost immediately, however this time once they got near, Flare stabbed one of them straight through the chest and put all his energy into further strengthening the flames on the top of the stick. It eventually completely engulfed the zombie and burnt everything into ash other than its legs. The other zombies came rushing down and quickly were defeated by a combined force of James and Flare. Flare somehow, with the adrenaline pumping throughout his body, ignited his finger and ate the flame, circulating it throughout his throat and mouth, then released it at one of the zombies in a small ball. James used his leaf shuriken attack to weaken the zombie, then created mud by fiercely sliding his foot in the dirt and spitting it in. He then controlled the mud and shot it straight through the zombies heart, killing it.
"What the hell was that about?" Nelson asked as James and Flare walked back.
"I guess it was just the adrenaline from all the stuff we did today. Im pumped right now." Flare said.
"That was not just adrenaline! Flare, just putting flames on a stick alone would burn half the stick before it even got to pierce the zombie! Flare, you just learnt 2 whole techniques in 1 small battle!" Grace replied cheerfully. She jumped up and hugged Flare around his neck, with one foot up as if she was about to kiss him. Flare immediately started blushing and thanked her.
"Oh, whoops! Sorry for that, it's just the way I hug my friends." She said as she got off him and blushed.

"Nows really not the time to be all touchy guys, we need to get back with that group. It's nearly 1 million people! How can we even miss it?" Eli states.
"I don't know, but yeah we seriously need to get back, or more zombies will show up and attack us." James said as he grabbed a leaf and let it fly away. They began walking to where the giant group was heading and finally felt a slight bit of relief knowing that the military will fully be able to handle the demon with ease. A roar could be heard in the distance and 2 explosions shot out not much later. "I think I have an idea." Nelson said.
"What if we stay near the city?"
"Excuse my language, but HELL no! Im not risking my life just to watch a bunch of planes shoot down some demon beings!" James replies. "It's not even worth it in the first place, we would just attract more enemies." It was fairly easy to understand that the rest of the group honestly did not want to stay, even if it was enticing to watch the fight to a few of them. Although it did seem like all of them agreed with James, Lila suddenly spoke up.
"I-I think I agree with you Nelson, even if it's dangerous. I want to find my brother and make sure he's safe." Lila stated. The way she spoke up inspired the others and made them even more curious, however before anyone could speak up, more of the flying demons came rushing down on them.
"More incoming! Let's get moving guys!" Nelson shouted. Flare bit his lip and swore under his breath. He really did want to stay, but it was indefinitely going to cause trouble for them and the military. "Hey Grace, once we loose the flying thingies, can you teach me a technique?" He asked.
"Of course! You're already amazingly skilled so it should be very easy." She replied, feeling amazed that her abilities would finally be put in use.

About an hour later, after the group finally managed to escape, they find an old shed where they could rest in.
"So.. whats next Nelson?" James asked.
Nelson was clearly in thought for quite some time, realizing he didn't actually have a proper plan when he recommended that they stayed near the city.
"Well, our best shot is to just use Flare to our advantage." He said.
"What do you mean? I'm not even that powerful, even if what I did back there was cool."
"No, it's not your power. It's your father man, Mystin Ash!" Nelson replied. Just then, memories came rushing back to Flare of his dads suicide, the constant harassment he had to deal with from his neighbors and friends, and then suddenly, he remembered what happened to his dad that caused the harassment.

About 6-7 years ago, Flare remembered when his dad was arguing with his mom late at night, and stopped him from sleeping. Screaming was just heard left and right constantly and it was horror for him, as if it was just an infinite bad dream. One thing he heard was something about his father "failing the mission he was assigned to" and "killing hundreds of people with one mistake."
Flare had always known the police force was a brutal and unforgiving job due to the high expectations you had to submit to. Even if those ideals were still in play; he knew the police were always treated like heroes and saviors for each region around the world, however this was different.
Ever since that day, Flare was treated like dirt everywhere around his neighborhood, mainly by the adults. Word spread around the area and soon enough, the whole city despised him. They would protest and chant everywhere throughout the area, stating that "Mystin Ash" should not become the police force captain in the eastern area. Not even 4 months in and Flares dad could not take it anymore. He began to despise himself and blamed everything on him even if he wasn't involved.
When Flares grandfather was killed during a robbery of his home, Flares dad blamed it all on himself and it was indefinitely the leading reason why he committed suicide on that dark September day.
Once he committed suicide and was pronounced dead to the public, everyone began realizing that they really overdid it, and ruined his child's life, so instead of continuing to harass his family constantly without forgiveness, they just pretend that nothing happened and treat them normally.
This hurt Flare so badly that he considered following his dad's steps multiple times throughout his childhood, but eventually he moved out of that neighborhood and had his hilarious and lively sister to keep him going everyday.

"Nelson! Cant you see it's traumatic to him? His dad committed suicide, imagine how he felt during that day!" Grace shouted. "But am I wrong though? With Flare we'll be able to convince the police force to let us help them out! All this badass demonic shit entices me and I don't wanna miss out on a chance like this." Nelson replies.
"Grace, he's right sadly. Even I'm slightly interested in all this demon stuff. Im fine with it I guess, but please just give me some time to myself, I need to get some thoughts off my head." Flare said calmly.
"Flare, wait!" Grace said as Flare walked out the shed into the woods.