Ghosts and Reapers

Richie

Mason was trying to keep his eyes straightforward and his thoughts quiet. Avoiding eye contact with any of the now dismembered bodies that seemed to be hit by the same artillery strike he was in, he'd slowly make his way to the apartment district. Now, Mason owned a nice house nearer towards the commercial business district in Aera, as it was a more expensive house that kept him closer to work. However, Richie lived in the apartments, which aside from the outer suburbs of the coast city was the most densely populated living area in the city. Mason knew that if he didn't move quickly, they'd probably be the next to get hit by that artillery.

On his way there, he would also begin to see the lighter Morton ground forces begin to move in. Knights, As they were called. Their armor donned the symbol of the kingdom's Royal house; A Black Raven with a sword in its talons. The armor itself was rather nice looking, with LED lights shining between the dark metal plates and their helmets concealing most of their faces. They looked menacing, as soldiers should be, and The businessman wanted no part in their fight- or to get assumed a spy. He'd drive past, snapping his fingers as his car's windows seemed to be covered with emblems of Morton- proof he was a citizen.

After what seemed like an hour of driving, he finally reached the lower skyscrapers and the apartment district- seemingly unaffected by the battle as civilians were stuck by infantry who were trying to make sure they were not Vestrians trying to sneak past The defensive backline, which was being set up now. Standard procedure, as Garnace was well aware.

Driving past them, he would find even smaller buildings than the previous apartments and see the fighting going on at the coast. The Valkyries has lowered in altitude, it seemed, and the volunteer guard of Aera appeared to be holding the Vestrian forces back and on the docks. This would be good for him at the very least, as he had to get richie's entire family- every second mattered. Rounding a corner, he would see richie's apartment, and in between him and them was a collapsed building. Scowling under his breath, he'd stop his car and step out, holding his hand towards it as the vehicle locked and turned off. He'd run through the destroyed building, making his way towards richie's apartment. Then, out of the top floor staircase, movement.

He'd spot them: Richie, his wife Shy, and their two daughters running down the stairs. Turning quickly as he moved, Richie would see mason, and quickly turn to his wife and they would exchange some words before quickening their pace. However, as they went out of sight to move towards the ground level, Mason would hear the sound of more rockets. He'd turn and spot them this time; four bright lights fired from one of the vestrian seacraft. He would run faster, trying to get to the building.

"R-... RICHIE!!!" He yelled out, though this would be the last thing he would ever say to his good friend as he was swiftly cut off by the rockets, which slammed into this area of the apartment district and would bring down most of the buildings nearby.

Bang

Bang

Bang

Bang

Mason's eyes went wide as the shockwave from the explosion knocked him back, his body hitting a portion of collapsed condo before blacking out again- But, this time, for only a moment as he practically willed himself awake. Sitting up, he'd feel the burned skin on his leg and the new scrapes on his back. His hearing was impaired by the loud ringing caused by the explosion. What was the most crippling thing for mason, however, was the sight in front of him.

Richie's apartment, collapsed on top of him. There was green fire surrounding it, and other buildings that had been hit. Richie has been mason's friend for the last 12 years... and he couldn't even say goodbye to him

'No... no this isn't happening...'

Mason would sit there for a moment, time feeling as if it slowed around him. Pulling his legs to his chest, eyes welling up with sorrow, He could hardly hear the sound of what seemed to be more Valkyries...