Souls of the Fallen

One Down

Well if that wasn't a rough fight, I don't know what is, ha ha! The group kinda took the backseat but it's still a good show of the magic that this world offers. Eons aren't free to just spawn the powers they use, most of them at least... They need something to draw from, like body heat for Sol's attacks, sources of light for Myra's, and water for Reno's. A battle at an inopportune time could be deadly for an Eon. Lucky for our young heroes, they found a few more powerful allies to help.

Unfortunately, their problems are not all solved. Shina drops to her knees. Her eyes widen as the news from the radio on the officer has her shook. "Teru..." she whispers.

"One of your friends?" Ein asks. Naru runs to her friend's side and holds her tightly in an embrace.

"Her brother," Reno answers. "He was in her neighbor's care but apparently things have changed."

"It's not too late!" Riku says. He kneels in front of Shina. "We can't sit here freaking out, Shina. We need to catch them at the mayor's office."

"Governor..." Lucas says.

"The asshole is dead," Riku says while rudely pointing at the mangled corpse. "Does his title really matter anymore?" He glares at Lucas, awaiting his response.

"You kids will have to handle this one alone," Ein mumbles. "We have to hold off any forces that may be returning and getting the sick and weak out of here. Jedd and Hue are demons but I don't think they're beyond your level. It's partly why they were stationed here."

"Jedd is a brute... Easy pickings," Taj adds. "Hue on the other hand is where I'm going to disagree with you, Ein. He is way more dangerous than we've experienced."

"Will you help us?" Lucas asks.

"I'm only useful if one of you guys go down. If that happens, then you've already lost." Taj walks towards the hole near the prison. "Your best bet if things get rough is to get the flow out of there before your lives are taken."

Naru whispers encouraging words to Shina to keep her from falling apart. Riku helps by trying to keep her face dry of tears. "Let's go!" Reno says from not far behind them. "They'll be waiting on the mayor to return. They most likely won't do anything to him until then."

"Governor..." Lucas says. He clears his throat and pretends to be interested in a damaged plant in the corner of the room. Reno glares at him as he walks past the others and exits the building. "I'm just trying to avoid confusion, geez..."

"C'mon, Shina. We can do this," Riku lifts her from her slumped position on the floor. "Give me your keys." Her eyes close and she covers her face. Riku pulls her into an embrace but uses one hand to grab her keys from her pocket. Shina sobs softly. He tosses the keys to Lucas and returns his hand to attend to Shina. "You can drive a motorbike, right?"

"Yeah, well enough." Lucas spins the keys on his finger.

"I'll ride with him... you guys should catch up with Reno," Naru rubs Shina's back then leaves with Lucas.

Myra approaches the two left behind as Ein and Sol leave for the cells. "Go, child," she says softly. "Your brother needs you. Control your emotions. Don't let them hinder you." Myra's words move Shina enough to get her going again. She breaks the hug from Riku and walks out of the barracks without a word. Riku runs up to Myra and hugs her too before running after his friends. She watches them disappear into the night before turning to join her own crew of allies.

Shina flops into the backseat of the cop car Reno is waiting in. He watches her through the rear view mirror. She immediately looks out the window and melts down the seat a little. Riku slides into the passenger seat shortly afterwards and peeks back at her. Glass and bars separate them but he taps it to catch her attention. She doesn't put much effort into looking at him but he gives her a thumbs up. She responds with a fake smirk that fades almost as quickly as it appeared. "Why didn't you sit with her?"