Alexandria's Genesis

Before The War

A pool of blood is growing below Nikal. She clutches her side and curls into a ball. Her eyes are plastered shut and her teeth clenched. Aleissia rushes over and starts to scream, "OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!" to which, Alexandria responds, "Keep it down, would ya? There are people around."

"NO, I CAN'T 'KEEP IT DOWN'! MY FRIEND IS DYING!" She howls at Alexandria. She turns back to Nikal and continues in relatively hushed tones.

"So that's why you're late?" Avrel asks, still carefully observing Nikal.

"Yyyyyyeah," Alexandria responds with a tinge of guilt. She sits down and catches her breath. Sevantei stares at Alexandria, and Avrel looks back and forth.

"Why did you not just go get medical attention?" Sevantei calls out.

Avrel turns to Alexandria. "That's a good point. Why stop here?" Avrel chips in, anger permeating his speech.

Everyone, even Aleissia, glares at her. "Because," Alexandria begins, "the only place, and... time we can get help... is before the war. And it took me a lot just to get here. See my problem?" She pauses. "I need your help, all of your's."

They hear explosions down the hall as the alarms are set off. Alexandria gets up and nonchalantly orders, "That would be our queue." She gets Aleissia to help her pick up Nikal. Nikal cries out in pain. Avrel and Sevantei wait off to the side. "Uuuuuum, Avrel, take her from me," Alex commands. Avrel shifts so Nikal's arm is over his shoulder. "Sevantei, hold her other side." Sevantei takes Aleissia's place and holds up Nikal. "We all need to jump at the same time, but our best travelers have to be on the outside. It's a difficult trek, but we can make it."

Alexandria links her arm with Avrel's, and motions for Aleissia to do the same. She takes a step to Sevantei, but for multiple reasons, she stops and says, "I wanna be by Avi." Alexandria doesn't understand quite why but agrees.

Now with everyone in a line surrounding Nikal, light starts to envelope them. Alexandria and Aleissia step forward into the vortex and the others follow suit. The light dissipates and the events of their past few minutes proceed to unfold.

~~~

The group wound around time in the vortex ball, trying desperately to stay in. They followed the path for a long time. Alex yelled through the rushing energy wind to push forward. They push their way from one current on the vortex to another. Several times, they jump mid stream. The vortex hastens and slows.

"OK! JUMP, JUMP, JUMP!" Alexandria yells through the storm. Avrel and Aleissia jump forward, followed by Alex, Sevantei, and, being dragged behind, Nikal. The vortex closes and they land on a hill. Everyone but Alex is screaming. Aleissia latches onto Avrel and they roll down the hill. Sevantei stumbles out but keeps himself up with Nikal. Alex let go and falls flat on the ground. Avrel and Aleissia come to a stop at the bottom of the slope.

Avrel and Aleissia hush themselves, and then Aleissia turns to Avrel and lunges at him playfully. Avrel gets thrown back to the ground as Aleissia hugs him.

Alexandria gets up, brushes herself off, walks to the edge of the hill, and smiles. "It's looking awfully nice, wouldn't you say?" Alexandria banters to the others. Aleissia lets go and looks around. As she looks around, she is speechless. They were in a big field with a few hills. Grass pricked up all across the field, bright green and so soft. At the edge of the field is a river; it's a young river, still full of vigor and speed. At the start of the river was a short waterfall, where several rocks jut out and make the fall uneven. The sky is a beautiful shade of light blue with a few puffs of clouds here and there. The sun shines bright and clear, beautiful and life giving. She feels the rays warm her slightly browned skin. In the distance, a city stands tall. The buildings were sleek and curved, and incredibly tall; almost impossibly crafted. A few small vehicles buzz around in the air. Closer to them, across the river, is a large building, probably a house, with several large windows. It's dark inside. She gives a short laugh and smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek. "It's so beautiful," she whispers. Avrel was running his fingers through the grass. "There's so much grass," he says, like a kid in a candy shop.