Once Again

Chapter Zero - Aftermath

Picture: Stroke the Fire - Dreamin-8-bit

Aftermath

The moonlight illuminated the broken streets and the rubble of the buildings, the aftermath of the bombs of nearly seven years prior. The silver light was not able to penetrate the darkness of the alley, however, where a person was waiting silently. He was somewhere in between a boy and a man, with raven black hair, fair skin, and dark eyes. Those dark eyes scanned the empty, debris-filled street, making sure there was no one coming as he leaned casually against the side of the alley.

A soft clink, barely audible, caught his attention above and behind him. He didn't turn, but stayed facing the street instead. He heard the intruder grab a broken pipe, step on a crumbling brick, and drop almost silently to the ground.

"You found it, then?" he asked the newcomer in a voice that was soft and slightly irritated.

"Not yet, Tris. We're still looking." His voice had a noticeable British accent, and though he could change it in an instant, British was natural and he spoke in it whenever possible. He stood next to the first, resting his arm on the wall and looking out with him. The sword in his right hand glowed slightly in the moonlight, as did his helmet.

"For the last time, Rogue, I asked you to stop calling me that."

"Right, right. It's Royal Highness Tristam, I forgot."

"Stop taunting me. You know my name. Use it correctly."

"Sorry ... " Rogue shifted, agitated. "Anyway, I think I found someone who could potentially help you, you know, since you have that ... condition."

"How so?"

"Small, fast, light, and most importantly, alone. Young enough to believe anything we say."

"Any abnormalities?"

"Not that I could tell."

"Near by?"

"Just entered the city a couple days ago. He's slowly picking his way closer to the Heart."

"Alright. I'll send a team of recruiters out tomorrow morning. He's not dangerous?"

"I don't think so, but a desperate kid is a dangerous one." Rogue fell silent for a moment. "We should get back and tell the others to keep an eye out for him. You ... you need to rest. Try to sleep."

"And go back to that hellish place?" Tristam laughed once, cold and humorless. "No thanks. I'll watch for the kid. Call me if anything happens."

"Alright," Rogue said reluctantly. "Just ... you need to sleep sometime. Your body can't function without it."

"The fire keeps me burning." Tristam held out his hand and a little flicker of purple flame ignited in his open palm, reflected in his exhausted eyes and the triangle glasses perched in his hair. He watched the flame dance, a slight smile playing across his face, and said, "It'll keep me alive until then."