Firewall

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Vanoss watched from his high vantage point as the last of the morning flight patrol leapt from the wall and shot off into the distance with their respective method of flight. He eventually sighed and sat down onto the ledge of the window he had been looking out of "have faith" he reminded himself as he looked around at the tower he was occupying. The "Owl's Nest" was an extremely tall tower from which anyone could see practically everything beyond the wall. The only structure that was taller had to be the central spire that was smack in the middle of the entire city, the huge blue dome that housed the core securely nestled underneath the huge spire, the six supporting legs of the giant tower trapping the dome inside and adding to its protection. It was the only thing that blocked Vanoss's view.

The tower had been called the Owl's Nest because of how often he occupied it. Sometimes he would even sleep up there. While others found it weird, Vanoss thought of it as his second home, someplace where he could be up high and get watch over everything. He had gotten so used to the coldness of the wind long ago, he barely felt it anymore.

Vanoss stared out at the rising sun, blinking as a figure on the wall caught his eye "Mark" he instantly thought. No one else would be up this early unless they were summoned to go on patrol. He debated whether or not to go and talk to him, and eventually decided against it "I'd rather fly" and with that, he jumped from the tower window.

His wings quickly exploded out from yellow pixels, catching the air and jerking him upward so Vanoss wouldn't crash into the buildings below. He pumped his wings up and down, gaining plenty of height so he could pass over the wall without any trouble. He waved back at Mark as he passed him, but could only assume he had seen since he was so high up. The city was far behind him now and soon the land beneath him had turned from smooth and grassy to rough and mostly dirt.

His destination was straight ahead, several jagged mountains that scraped the clouds overhead, someplace where he could be as high as he wanted without bothering anyone. However he didn't make it that far as something caught his eye, something pink.

Vanoss sighed and began to descend, slowing down so he could hit the ground without hurting himself. His shoes hit the dirt and rocks with a thud, something making a similar sound right behind him. He turned around, crossing his arms "hello Mark, I couldn't help but notice you decided to tag along."

"I thought it was better to talk to you out here without any distractions" Mark's peculiar method of flight dissolving away into pink pixels "it's about-"

"Let me guess... You want me to help Jack summon his game Characters" Vanoss sighed, folding his wings against his back "look, Mark, I know you want Jack to have all the help he can get but I'm not helpful in that sense. My games give me weapons, not Characters."

"It's... Actually not about that."

Vanoss blinked, giving Mark a perplexed look "well... Do tell."

"Sky."

He blinked before sighing "no improvement."

"I figured" Mark crossed his arms, looking down with a frown on his face "and that... side... Isn't changing? Even for the worst?"

"Same as always... Now tell me, why are you so curious?"

Mark hesitated before looking back up at Vanoss "he's been hanging around Jack a lot more than usual..."

"Happiness keeps the coldness on the field, where he should keep it."

"I know but-"

"You're not seriously thinking that Sky would just randomly snap and hurt Jack?" Vanoss interrupted, crossing his arms and letting out a heavy sigh "honestly, you worry too much."