Sky Forever

Chapter 4: Planning a Revolution

"How about Entrevale first?" Ryder said.

"Didn't their last emperor die choking on a breakfast sausage?" I said.

Ryder chuckled, "Yeah. But they've had their current emperor for fifteen years, so that must be some kind of record for them."

We were all standing in the control room and had been discussing where to travel to first as the ship slowly cruised over the Madwoods away from the City of Ashes and Gold.

 And I was ready to ask the question that I had so far been afraid to ask.

"Why did you guys rescue me?" I said, bluntly.

There was a pause when Amber and Ryder exchanged a look. Then Amber turned to me.

"We want to start a revolution." She said.

"A revolution?" I replied.

"Against Homunculus."

"That doesn't really answer my question."

"We needed to get his attention first." Ryder said, "Let him know that we're dangerous."

"By rescuing you, he now knows what we're capable of." Amber added.

"So, I'm just a tool then?" I said, "A tool to spark off your revolution?"

"No, no, no!" Amber shook her head, then paused, "Ok, yes. You were a tool. But now, you're in the gang! And we really need your help!"

I took a moment to register everything. I should have been angry at them for using me like that, but the truth was that they rescued me...and she saved my life several times in the process.

I smiled, "At least I'm alive. If you guys hadn't come, today would have probably been my last. Thanks."

I could sense that they both let out inward sighs of relief.

"So, this revolution..." I said.

"Yeah, we were thinking that we need to get all the cities north of the Division on board and bring down Homunculus." Ryder said.

I should explain that the Division was a giant wall stretching across the width of Azterak. A war in the year 480 (at this point we were in 700), known as the Battle of the Lands, was fought between the North and the South. It lasted 10 years and resulted in the Division being constructed. Now, the North (City of Ashes and Gold, Entrevale, Sandstone City and Archery City) rarely interacts with the South (The Juggernaut Complex, Shadowhaven and Crowstown). Though I hope one day that I can breach the wall and explore the south.

 Ryder spun his chair round to look out the window.

"Entrevale first, then?" He asked.

"Yeah, I guess" Amber said, "As long as their emperor doesn't choke on a piece of bacon whilst we're there."

I laughed.

"Setting a course for Entrevale." Ryder said, pressing a few buttons, "Should take us about two days to get there."