Zephyr: The Elemental Clans

96 - Angel of Flames

Grisha Astra - POV;

"Don't you dare touch me! You disgust me! Both of you! Don't let me see your faces again!" Indira growled as she stormed out of the room. Emilia did her best to supress her own tears but Nariko on the other hand had been wailing like a baby. Suddenly, her knees buckled and she fell forward dangerously.

"Nariko!" I shouted, diving towards her and skating across the floor on my knees. I ignored the burning and ripping sensation of my skin being torn and caught her in my arms. She seemed shocked for a moment but quickly wrapped her hands around me as she drowned her sorrows into my shoulder. She'd always been sensitive and emotional so I could barely imagine how horrible she must have felt in this moment. Emilia kneeled beside us, hugging us both and kissing Nariko on the head in an attempt to comfort her.... no, to comfort us both. Before I'd realised it, the pain, sorrow and emotion I had strived to keep locked away for over a decade came pouring out and for a few minutes I bore it all upon my sleeve.

"Dad," Nariko sniffled as she began to regain her composure, "What did you mean by what you said? What do you mean you killed mom?"

"Nariko.... I-" I began

"Please tell me. I won't judge you based on nothing so let me know the truth. I'll figure out what I think of you then," she muttered.

"Of... of course," I answered, partially proud of how mature she had become, "I should have told you all a long time ago, about what happened fifteen years ago."

****

*Fifteen Years Ago*

"Hey recruit! Keep watch on the rear! The safety of the entire squad depends on you! Warn us of anything that may become a threat! Got it?!"

"Yes sir!" I responded into the portable radio in my hands.

I had barely served two years as a member of the World Heirarchy's Elite Enforcer Squad and already I'd gained enough experience, knowledge and fame to tackle the most dangerous of tasks given out by the VI Kings themselves, the six men who ruled as the heart and foundation of the World Heirarchy and were largely responsible for the majority of the government's decisions, operations and choices. It was no stretch to say that they held the entire Earth in their palms. It was one of these very men who recognised and elected me for the position within the Squad. He held the title of the Fifth King, Versailles and legends had it that his power was so great he had become immortal; unfazed by aging and when wounded they would heal almost instantly. Of course these were only stories and the Kings were just people but they did hold the greatest power in all of the lands.

A recent string of terrorist attacks and a number of attempts on the lives of the VI Kings and other World Heirarchy higher-ups had led us to an intricate undergeound syndicate with the aim of abolishing the world order. The World Heirarchy had mobilised thousands of elite soldiers with the mission of eradicating the threat and in due time we began to close in on the leader of the enemies. The Enforcer Squad had been directly on their heels and I, then a youth member, had been given a core role in the formation that made me the most important in recognising threats from the rear to the squad.

We'd been zooming through the thick forests on the outskirts of an abandoned industrial zone containing deactivated nuclear plants and an ex-government facility. Our intel had warned of ten nuclear warheads intended to be unleashed upon the world by the organisation being stored within their primary hideout at this location so we pushed forward with the utmost caution. We circled the border, looking put for any signs of danger before moving in for the assault.

"Ring! Ring! Ring!"

I hurriedly answered my cellphone before any of the others could hear it going off.