FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Brick and mortar crumble softly onto the cracked tiles as I walked along an abandoned hall. Hallway lights dangle from the ceiling on bare threads of wire, broken. The pristine white walls of the lower section of the hospital are now plastered with cracks and moderately sized holes. The shadowed hallway is deserted of doctors and patients alike. Only one brave soul enters the carnage, traveling to a predetermined meeting place.

"He really did a number on this place." I mumble to myself in the dark and unlit hallway.

Traveling further down a hall heading towards a dark green door, I think of what will happen after I know what or where Colby is. Sparks fly periodically from the hanging lights, throwing a flash of light over the damp and dusty scene. As I progress further down, the destruction only gets steadily worse.

Support pillars lay broken on the dust filled floor in pieces while light fixtures lay in two on the ground, occasionally sending a light river of sparks rolling onto the floor. Windows remain shattered on the whole side of the building where the source of the disaster lay. A flock of police cars comes screaming down the roads to address the emergency. Even though no casualties were reported, they still had to find the source or cause of the damage.

"Terrorists," I spit venomously to the side as I climb a section of a large broken pillar blocking a section of the hall. "Why not just make it Saddam Hussein all over again." I mutter.

Many years of peace flourish on earth, or in certain spots, and then 'someone' decides to play hero and save a bank, at least, I hope it was not him. The only reason this building had not fallen is because we, or Paul, is keeping it up with magic. It will take even more magic to fix this mess than it did in the cold war accident. Not that we could change the course of history, (past mistakes aside), there is something evil coming, and we have to prepare for it the best we can.

But that is not the point right now. Now, all I care about is seeing what Paul has to say about what he has kept hidden from me. It should not be any big surprise however, that he has not told me. Illusionists learn early on how to be wary of everyone, even friends. I just hope Colby is ok. If he was the one to damage the building...I just hope a Guardian is looking after him.

So many questions, so many answers, so many mysteries. We cannot know everything there is about life or the secrets of the universe, but we can damn well try. I remember that being one of the quotes Paul said that Papa used to use, back when he was fighting as a Protector. Now he is just retired. After a Protector retires, they almost immediately want to have nothing to do about us or the world. Even though they may still live for centuries or millennium more that is their problem.

Papa is not like that though; he tried to help us, help me train, to become the best Protector I could. He said, "Every skill in life is hard won, but when we have it, you use it to the best of your abilities." After, he told me to become what I dreamed of becoming most. For me, that was helping people, healing them, and to my surprise, I excelled in healing magic and support and the like. That's mostly why I work in the hospital. It sucks to not be able to use your powers to their full capabilities, but we are able to use a small percentage of it when called for.

I continue to look around the long and shadowy hallway, gazing at the destruction that had been caused by the explosion or impact. I soon arrive at a doorway with a white number five printed on it and momentarily stop in front of it before gently laying my right hand on the number five. Fingers spread evenly out; I speak the familiar words of power to enter one of our many bases of operation. A faint sparkle of blue emanates from the point of contact before a soft thud and some mechanical gears can be heard.

After a good three minutes, I pull my hand back, satisfied. The whole door then shimmers an ocean blue from its dark green color. I take a step back as the door silently opens outwards. I then walk forwards, closing the door as I enter. I stop in the middle, seeing three big walls of white in front of me. Smirking, I raise my right hand as if to swear an oath.

"Anea Veraguard." I say out loud while twisting my hand right into a come hither sign. I then extend my arm out as if to scatter or throw some flower petals. A few seconds tick by as I return my arm to my side. The small white room glows and eerie orange/red before disappearing. Green luminescent lines spread out from where I stand. Two lines go left and right to rejoin at the top of the room. One green line darts straight ahead, splitting into two once it hits the wall. When they both travel the same length, as wide as double doors, they travel up the walls then meet up again at the top. Joining once again, they head straight down to where they first split.

The white room at the same time the green lights appeared was becoming translucent. I stand perfectly still, my long rust red hair hanging loosely over my shoulders. My nurse's outfit slowly fades to be replaced by my Protector robes. A long dark blue assassins robe replaces my light blue shirt and skirt. Dark lime green pants and a multifaceted diamond star adorn the center of my chest. A dark blue hood rests gently on my head while ruby red shoes dawn on my feet. The sleeves spread out like flames dancing in a gently breeze. The basic hero's cape drapes down my back while a tightly shaped bodice holds my chest up.

Finally, a basic Protector's staff appears to my left. On top is the symbol of my training, the same multifaceted diamond star as on my chest. It glows with a faint blue/green light. My hands clasp around the middle of my staff as the room finishes disappearing. What appears before my eyes is what resembles a deep and narrow cave.

The entrance is about twenty-five feet to my left. A view of a vast sea and midnight sky cloud my vision. The well-built tunnel then extends for miles in a complex system of caves and traps to deter the foolhardy.

"Woops," I mutter. I quickly raise my staff a few inches of the ground and lightly set it down. The tunnel view slowly recedes back to briefly show the white walled room, green line still visible. After a few seconds, they fade again to reveal an end of a well-kept hallway.

"Must have too much on my mind." I mutter as I traverse the maze of hallways to arrive at the meeting place.

As I walk through the obsidian colored hallways, my mind travels back for some reminiscing. Protectors from long ago have always in some way been more technologically advanced from the most dominant culture. When Rome had swords and infantry, we had horses and spears. When Hitler had tanks, we had teleportation and jet planes. When the nuclear bomb was made...well, we had, or have lasers, of a sort.

We have always made efficient ways to travel, but once the teleportation doors were made a little earlier than Hitler; we could defend and attack with swiftness. The doors, like the one I used, are scattered throughout the world. Stonehenge and some crop circles were prehistoric prototypes, they weren't always reliable though.

A recently made or trained Protector would say their name and do a specific signal. They would then picture a place they wanted to travel to in their mind. As with my mistake, it takes a moderate amount of concentration to achieve.

I continue to navigate the complex maze, coming closer to our meeting place, closer to knowing where Colby is. Some fear and apprehension creep into my mind at the aspect that Colby is gone. No...I cannot think that, not now.

I now come to a heavily locked door with two corridors leading off to the left and right. Looking back the way I came, I then lay my hand on the metal door. This time, I lean into it, pressing my full palm against it. Eyes closed in concentration, I begin to chant:

"Lucidum ferro omnibus sequi. Conspicien dalucens. Lorem Aperies queostium, et in virtute, et in cordetuo est."

(A shining blade for all to follow. A shining light for all to see. Glow with the power of your heart and open the door and into the light.)

I pull my hand swiftly away once a loud thud echoes from within. Stepping back, the door swings slowly outward to reveal a well maintained room. Obsidian gray walls and floor paint the area. A big rectangular table sits in the center of the expansive room. Various advanced machinery and futuristic weapons adorn the side of the walls. A mysterious man dressed in a pitch black cape with elegant golden thread that flow into various designs on a fully fledged assassins robe covering his frame. Two skulls in the shape of what appears to be small saber tooth tigers adorn his shoulders. His hood hides his down-turned face. Battle scarred hands rest atop the pristine white table compared to the dull surroundings. The cloaked figure is leaning over the table, apparently so absorbed in the full scaled map of the world to notice my arrival.

I walk a few feet within the room, roughly a three by three room the combined length and width of a good sized garage. The heavy door slams behind me, locking me in with the figure, yet keeping unwanted intruders out. This seems to jerk the figure out of his reverie as he looks up to address me with a smile.

"Anea! Good, you're here. You seem to have taken a bit longer than usual." He asks in a curious tone.

"I have a lot on my mind," I reply. "Accidentally went to the Scotland conclave."

"Hmmm, well, now you're here, I might as well tell you what I know about your friend. God knows I may have kept some things a secret for too long." The now recognizable figure of Paul says as he leans away from the table and crosses his arms.

I walk forward to the other side of the table, staff now placed on my back and hands calmly by my side as I sweep my vision across the room. Something's missing, but what?

"Where's Papa?" I ask.

"aaaahhhh...He is not here yet." Paul responds kindly.

"He's not in Europe is he?"

"No." Paul says.

"So where is he?" I question.

"He is coming. He...has something for you, Anea." Paul replies after some thought.

"What is it?"

"Don't know," Paul answers. "He will be here shortly. Besides that, what do you want to ask me?" Paul says calmly while uncrossing his arms, cape draping back over his shoulders with a flourish.

A tight river of anger boils up inside me at the arrival of the question. Thinking rationally though, I take a deep breath then look straight into Paul's navy blue eyes, partly shrouded in shadows by his hood.

"Where is he?" I ask again. Paul takes a calm breath before responding.

"He is safe. He is heading towards deep within Harold Parker State Forest, under our Guardians watchful eye no doubt." Paul explains.

My eyes fly open in complete surprise as to how Colby could have gotten their unnoticed and so quickly unless he... "Only Defenders are able to fly, right?" I blurt out, leaning against the map on the table, my dark blue cap creeping over my shoulders.

"Yes, they can, but a few Protectors can too, remember?" Paul answers slowly while raising an eyebrow.

I pause, raising off the table and looking down at it. Yes, that is true. Certain kinds of gifted protectors are able to fly in special ways. Superman for one, is the most popular, I mean, anyone can join our ranks, as long as you have the capability to do so. It is possible Colby could have flown there, but so soon? And what about the wave of pure energy I felt earlier just seconds before I entered the room? That could not be him, could it? There is no way the toxin, whatever it is made of, could do that. There is still the importance of the rising crisis in Europe. Dinosaurs, I hope we are prepared enough.

I sigh, closing my eyes as a million thoughts, questions, and possible answers run through my mind. The most important thing is to stay on topic. Time is of the essence if something big is going to happen. It is time for some secrets to be revealed, willingly, or not.

"Where was he before he went to the forest?" I ask quietly, opening my eyes and raising my head to look at Paul face to face, cross armed once more.

He is silent for a few seconds before plainly stating: "The bank."

"Whi-which bank?" I ask hesitantly. The number of banks being robbed has skyrocketing since we discovered, or learned from a dear friend in Europe that the terrorists have gone into hiding and information leakage of the toxin was noticed by us. If he was at the most recent bank in Boston, the worlds soon to be most evil villain could have possibly been there. As of yet, there has been no report on the current situation down there, but we are hoping to soon learn what the outcome is.

"The one in Boston, and no, he is safe. Unharmed, as of yet." Paul says calmly.

"Wha...What do you mean as of yet!" I almost scream at him. If a Protector, especially one who shows great potential were to die now, I do not know if we could stop whatever could be coming next.

"Calm down Anea, you forget what I am capable of. He is safe." Paul says again to reassure me.

Of course, how could I forget, Paul's an illusionist. He has always had an 'inside man' keeping tabs on what robber is robbing the bank and if he/she is important enough to warrant our intervention. Another ability Paul has, is that he is able to create a single duplicate, a clone of himself and change it to his will so as to wear a completely different makeup and clothes as well as build than him. Excellent for espionage and spy missions where the enemy will never know what hit them.

"Yo...y-you have someone there, right?!" I choke up on my words, relieved and surprised I did not think of it before.

"Yes, Greg, the bank teller. He is alright. If 'the' enemy is here, then I will intervene if necessary." Paul responds while lowering his arms and turning to his left, walks to a console filled with confusing buttons and levers. He presses some buttons and changes the configuration of some indications. Meanwhile, I step back a few times to gaze at the table.

The surprisingly realistically detailed map of the whole world fades. The room darkens slightly as three triangular rods lower down from the roof to form the skeleton of a diamond at the same time the table splits open length wise to reveal a cone with a small orb on it. The rods spark a flow of energy and the ball illuminates. It rises out of its material form and creates a perfect 3D holographic projection of the earth.

Reaching over to his right, Paul pulls down a simple lever and walks back to his side of the table. He spreads his hand, and with it, the holographic projection of the earth expands many times, zooming in closer to the ground. He twists his wrists, the hologram responding by tilting the projection a little. He finally zooms in on New York, where a red circle is shown around a specific part of the city. The bank.

"Here, is where the bank is, and here," Paul says while flipping the picture so it lies flat while expanding it "is where our hospital is in Boston."

"But, that is more than two hundred miles! How could he have gotten there so quickly? It has only been about, what, fifteen, thirty minutes?! How is it possible, even WITH the ability to fly, to travel two hundred miles in less than thirty minutes?!" I shout. Paul only shrugs and continues on with what he probably thinks happened.

"Do not forget the toxin Anea, it is possible that it gave him his powers. It is highly unlikely, or it is that they could have jump started them, probably even more dangerous. Explain to me what you felt when you were heading to his room again, will you?" Paul says inquisitively.

I sigh again in part frustration, part having to repeat myself. "I said, when I was walking to his room, I felt a rise in the flow of energy. It stopped for a while and then there was a low, rumbling hum and then the impact. I told you before, it happened too fast." I explain fervently.

"I know, I know Anea," Paul says, quoting what I said awhile back in mild irritation. "But it is vitally important that we know every detail so that we can..."

"Know the best cause or case for what can be best explained to what happened, yea, I know." I interrupt.

Paul only sighs, and with a flick of his wrist, the hologram disappears while the room brightens again to its normal luminescent.

"What I want to know is... what is going to happen now. What are our plans? 'They' must be planning something by now?" I say, walking closer to the table while leaning lightly on my right leg and crossing my arms. "What will we do if we are to be attacked by them any year, any month, possibly any week from now? We still know virtually nothing about who has been robbing the banks. They are raising an army of Dinosaurs Dad! What do you expect me to do in the meantime, play tidily wings while they knock on our door? 'Excuse me, but can we come in, we would like to rule your country.' And the world might I add?!" I yell vehemently and in the lowest tone I could do, across the table.

Not quite expecting the venomous remark, Paul takes a deep breath and lowers his head, shuffling his feet. On its rise, Papa unexpectedly bursts into the room, carrying fragments of a gun and a mysteriously veiled shining object in a brightly colored cloth that is astonishingly not see-through.

"Al," Paul exclaims in surprise, eyes widening ever so slightly at the sudden intrusion. "I was wondering when you would get here." He says happily, moving around the table to meet Papa. The door closes behind him, although much softer than when I entered.

I turn around and lean against the table to voice my welcome.

"Hello Papa."

"Anea, how are you doing?" Papa says with a small chuckle. He then sets down the broken gun in a bag and carefully places the glowing green/blue orb or sphere down on the table.

"What is that?" I ask, not knowing what it is but suspecting what the fragments are.

"Hahaha, always the one to get straight to the point," Papa says, partly evading my question. I just raise my eyebrow and wait for him to continue. Papa sighs and looks at Paul. "Did you..."

"Yes, I told her." Paul says quickly.

"Hmmm, good. If we are to stand a chance at what is coming next, we are to need all the help we can get. How fairs the young Protector?" Papa asks, keeping one big meaty hand on the brightly glowing orb or sphere.

"Safe, and deep within a forest. Our guardian is most likely training with him for now. If the time is to come when this nation goes to war, we must have every man and Protector fighting for our freedom." Paul says while turning to look at the objects Papa brought in, eyeing the gun a little cautiously.

"Aye aye aye, I am not getting into any Protector business now, I am retired you know. I am fine with guiding young Anea along in her training and young Colby once he comes back, but you can count me out for any battles. I have seen my fair share of war in my time. You know, back when I was little, men fought honorably on the battlefield, and they did not go hiding behind some tin can of a rust bucket that can just as easily explode and kill a whole platoon if you're not careful." Papa says in a rant. I just move off to the side as Papa comes to the table to explain his finds to Paul.

"Yes, I know dear Alessio, but we need everyone if we are to succeed as protectors. It is rare for three, yet four protectors, even a retired one, to guard a planet. If fate meant for this to happen, then we must accept it and move on. We must prepare for the inevitable war, whether it comes a week from now or ten years from now." Paul says in response to Papa's monologue.

I just close my eyes and patiently wait my turn. Patience is a virtue. I was taught that when I was very young. I laugh a little at Papa's words for me, I am not little any more, nor am I young. If there is any comparison, we would be like the elves in fantasy book. We live long lives, (although not immortal) and our bodies age slowly as well. My age, at an impressive four hundred and eighty something years, is considered to be that of early pre-teens.

Speaking up, I join into the conversation, changing the subject to something more pressing. "Ok, now that the adults are done, can we move on now? First, where did you get that gun Papa and what happened to it." I ask, edging slightly closer to the table to get a better look at it, shattered into pieces with bits of warped metal here and there.

"Ah, at the bank. I picked it up from the scene our culprit left." Papa says, answering my still open question.

"SHE was there?!" Paul asks, almost shouting into Papa's ear.

"Yes, yes, she was there." Papa responds kindly, shuffling a few steps away from Paul.

"Was...Who defeated...It couldn't possibly be...him...could it?" Paul questions, even more flustered than earlier on.

"Dad?" I ask. "Are you ok?"

"I...I am fine...just, fine." Paul replies. "Anyway, if Colby did somehow defeat her..."

"She had her body guards too, both captured and in jail. Left pretty nice dents in the floor too if I might add." Papa says intervening.

"Them too!" Paul says with raised arms. "Ok...phew...ok... Moving on, what were you saying Anea?"

"What happened to the gun papa?" I ask again.

"Your friend probably. If so, that's one powerful punch, or whatever he did to shatter a gun like this, even a reinforced one at that." Papa answers.

"So he is definitely a Protector now right?" I add.

"Yes, he is." Both Paul and Papa say, speaking at the same time. They look at each other before I move things along yet again.

"What's the glowing object you have?" I ask.

"Ah! This," Papa says while carefully picking up the precious artifact. "Is something that will invariably help us in the long run."

"But what is it?" Paul continues my train of thought.

"It is for you Anea, a healer's stone, made from a special material, very hard to find. I crafted it myself when I was young, saved me from a lot of life threatening wounds. I am sure it will do the same for you when the time comes." Papa says while unveiling the said object.

Relinquished of its shadowy prison, the now lustrously glowing green/blue sphere sparkles with a shine of pure brilliance. Being perfectly smooth and rounded, the inside displays a multitude of curls, patterns, and other various designs that swirl like molasses within its spherical confines.

I stare wide eyed at it as Papa delicately hands it to me. I slowly bring my arms forward, my cape draping back over my shoulders as I get ready to hold my precious cargo. Papa then sets it down meticulously into my awaiting hands and releases his hold. The weight surprises me a little as it pulls my arms down suddenly before I bunch up my muscles to keep it from falling.

"It looks beautiful Papa. How did you make it?" I wonder as I tilt my head to look at Papa, still in his chefs clothing and with his hands calmly by his side.

"That, is a trade secret my dear Anea. Someday I may instill my knowledge of it for you to create something of your own, but until then, may this serve you well." Papa replies in a heartfelt manner.

"Thank you Papa." I then recover the healing sphere and walk over to a secure part of the room. I carefully deposit the sphere and materialize some cotton to keep it from moving, ready to be retrieved after the meeting is over.

As I return to the table, Paul has pulled the 3D holographic projection of the earth again, taking up position where he originally was. Papa and I share the other side as we start to plan our next course of action.

"Now that that is out of the way, it is time to get down to business. Alessio, what did you find out?" Paul asks the retired Protector.

"Other than the gun and the whereabouts of our friend Colby, there seems to be some rather slow activity in Europe where the terrorists were last seen." Papa answers truthfully.

"In Amman, near the Mediterranean sea?" Paul queries. "That isn't where we last saw them." He states.

"Yes, that is true, but that is where the supply is coming from, driven from there all the way to Chelyabinsk then airlifted to the arctic." Papa responds in a depressed tone.

"So far. How are the Dinosaurs surviving the cold?" Paul questions.

"That's just it. There not. They are revived, supposedly dead, like a zombie. They do not feel the weather, and probably pain or anything else too." Papa replies sadly.

"How are we supposed to kill them then?" Paul responds nervously.

"Decapitate them, but if we can retrieve some of the toxins that spilled from the trucks in the U.S., then we could do experiments of our own." Papa says, flinging out ideas.

"What would we revive then Papa." I ask warily.

Paul and Papa both look at me with a studying look and after a few seconds, Paul begins to work the holographic projection to show the Brooks mountain range in Alaska. He flips the projection horizontally so it shows like a map once again while raising elevations and adding detail.

"This is our secret base. We have already managed to extract a few samples here and there on the times I have spent on missions over in Europe and Russia. The extra quantity from the recent disaster from these four trucks should be more than enough to make a few tests run, to find out how best to kill the dinosaurs, or create a more powerful adversary to combat them." Paul responds fervently.

"What will we test them on?" I ask, repeating my question.

"We don't know yet, but right now we are testing small doses on small herbivore skeletons that we have in our possession, to see if it really works." Paul answers.

"It does, I have seen it myself, and if we don't do something soon, the world will be overrun will thousands of dinosaurs, all over again." Papa says cryptically.

"Seen them?" Paul inquires, curious as to how he could have been away and not been noticed as absent from the hospital.

"No silly, with my powers of course. You still think I don't use them every now and again just because I am retired do you? Hahaha, no I thought not." Papa laughs after seeing Paul's mouth open slightly at the question.

Sighing and putting his head down while looking at the table, Paul decides what to do next. "Ok...That aside, when can we expect Colby to be back." Paul questions.

I just shrug my shoulders and Papa says: "Don't know, a few months, years, maybe a decade. You know how serious they take new protectors training. You remember, don't you Anea?" Papa asks while putting his big scarred and meaty hand on my shoulder. I smile at the memories of my start to becoming a worthy protector. The training was hard, the hours were long, and yet, you learn a lot of new things when you open your mind to the world of nature and listen to what is around you.

"Yes, I certainly do Papa." I answer, chuckling as I remember how Papa would train me back when I was young.

"Ahem." Paul says in a barely concealed cough. Our attention then goes back to Paul as Papa drops his hand and takes off his chef's apron.

"Woops, forgot about this." Papa says in forgetfulness. Paul only sighs again and gets back to the topic.

"Ok, Anea, I want you to come with me to phoenix Arizona. Alessio, I want you to go to Heart Mountain in Alberta Canada to meet up with our informant. Tell him to track her down if he can. I know he was at the bank scene very recently, but we need to be three steps ahead of the game, not four steps back. If we are to do our job, we need to do it fast and efficiently." Paul says, issuing out the orders.

"Why Arizona?" I ask curiously.

"Because, we need to access some of our 'old' equipment." Paul replies in code.

"Oh...Wait, you don't think 'that' is going to happen do you?" I ask hesitantly.

"If we can prevent it, then no. I will do everything I can in my power, and hopefully you too Alessio, to stop that from happening at all costs."

Papa only laughs heartily. He pounds a big meaty hand into the palm of his other hand and responds. "If my name isn't Alessio Giordano, the fabled wise earth dragon of legend, then I don't know what it is. You can count me in. But still, I won't be fighting till I have to; you know what it does to my joints nowadays." Papa says in raised spirits.

Paul only chuckles while responding. "Yes, and if I can help it, you will not need to do anything remotely close to when 'you' were younger."

I just stare blankly at Papa, or Alessio Giordano. He is now dressed in an elegantly embroidered Chinese or Japanese medieval robe. Golden brown thread flows in majestic patterns around the torso and neck of the robe. Still in his fist pound position, Papa, or Alessio just stands there with a big smirk on his face, knowing he is the one I looked up to when Paul brought me to him when I was just a child. I had no idea, and still had no idea who he was.

He can't mean... 'The' Alessio Giordano, the wise earth dragon of legend, the one who settled many disputes and nearly died in a volcanic explosion in four-thousand B.C. while saving many villages. But of course, Papa is an earthen elemental, which should not even have hurt him. "Papa?" I whisper.

"Yes?" He replies nonchalantly.

"Cool" I say, smiling from ear to ear. Maybe we can win this after all.

"I can see your wondering how I survived that accident yes?" Alessio says.

My eyes go wide as I feel he is almost reading my mind. "No, not reading your mind, your body and facial expression. They tell a lot of a person, even if they try to conceal it." Papa explains.

"Yes, but, you called it an accident, what do you mean?" I wonder in amazement as Paul only powers down the projection and observes my affection for a long time hero.

"Yes, a horrible accident. I was fighting a mythical earth giant. Well, I led it to a volcano, won't tell you which one since you probably don't know and it would be better if I didn't. Anyway, I did not know there were settlements around the base of the volcano, and before I knew it, the earth giant had triggered an eruption. I thought I could fight it since it was an earth elemental, like me. Oh how wrong was I. I was planning to use its power, its very essence against it. I had a lot of experience and knew quite a few powerful moves. Next thing I know, it knocks me out and triggers the volcano. Did not know it had a small fire essence with it that it was carrying. I got up just in time to create an earth barrier around the settlements, had to rest for a few months or years after that. I then started to lose my memory, century by century. Now cooking is the only thing that will briefly bring scarce images into my mind." Alessio says, finishing his monologue of his past.

"Why won't you tell me which volcano it was?" I ask, desperately wanting to know where it happened. Papa only sighs and refutes my argument.

"Because Anea, it would not be a good thing for me to do that since we are so close to possible war." Alessio answers, running a hand over the back of his head.

My gaze wavers south as my eyes droop in disappointment. "So that's how you lost your memory?" I ask, raising my vision to look at Papa once again.

"Yes, it is." He responds nicely to my question.

"Why did you not fix it with the healing sphere you gave me?" I inquire, curious to see why he had not tried it yet.

"I did indeed fact try it, but I was still learning what it could do, and I think I could not have healed my memory if I had wanted to. I could feel a dark suppression on my mind from the moment the giant knocked me out. Shattered part of my skull, but I was built strong, I am an elemental. The pain did not deter me from completing my duty." Papa replies.

"Is this why you don't want to fight?" I ask.

"Partly. I might tell you the other part, if I remember it that is" Alessio responds sadly. He then turns to start his journey to Heart Mountain to meet up with our informant. I turn back to Paul who is looking at me with a resigned look of interest.

"We going?"

"In a while, you have some things to take care of before we go on a long journey west, remember." Paul says while raising an eyebrow with arms crossed.

He does remind me, I have to feed and find someone to take care of Merlot. It must be nearly midnight or dawn by now. Time always seems to fly by when we have a meeting. I could ask Colby...No, he's training, and probably won't be back for some time until he can handle himself properly. Yet, how he managed to beat 'her' when we have failed, I will not know, maybe because of his affinity for movies and stories with superhero's and mythical creatures.

Paul sees my confused face and traverses the table to come comfort me.

"Hey, Anea." Paul says in a quiet voice.

"Hmm?" I respond, looking up into his navy blue eyes.

"He will come back when his training is done. You don't have to worry about him; he is in good hands I can assure you. And don't think I have not seen the looks he has given you either on your 'picnics' together." Paul says jokingly.

My eyes go wide before I close them, chuckling and moving forward to hug him. "Thanks dad." I say sincerely.

"You're welcome Anea" Paul says while returning the hug. "You're welcome."

Paul glances up at the far wall with a discerning look in his eyes. The end may come sooner than we think.

_ ~~~~~Unknown location~~~~~ _

"You think your plea can help you gain what you have invaluably lost!" A deep, rumbling voice sounds from out of the dark confines of a well hidden, well maintained pitch-black hallway in the middle of nowhere.

"N-No sir! I only ask for better troops. Next time I meet him, he will be crushed and your plans will come to fruition." I say warily.

"But not soon enough!" The voice says loudly. "But...You will have better troops soon enough anyway. Travel to Cherskiy in the Far East. There, you will find what you will need to bring an end to my opposition and secure a firm foothold in the beginning of my long and dominant rule!"

"What will I find there, may I say?" I ask cautiously.

"You will find the power to wipe your foes from the battlefield with one foul swoop. They think they know what we are doing. Bah! They are ignorant fools swarming to swat flies! The terrorists are the perfect distraction to execute my final plans" The voice says ominously.

With a little sinking dread, I respond. "And what might that be sir?"

"Our first completed prototype war dinosaur. You and only you will ride it into battle, only to command a thousand others of varying strengths and skills. Soon enough, we will rule the world, and soon, the entire UNIVERSE! Mwahahahahahahaha!" The voice says, ending off in a long, drawn out, villainous laugh that will make the most battle hardened soldiers flee in terror.

"Yes, of course master." I say, turning away. "I will not fail you again."

As I walk away down the, my midnight black cape flaps behind me obediently. What will be awaiting my brother will soon put an end to what he made me go through. Soon, the whole world will know the name, The Darkness. They will fear it and obey, or they will die by his mercy.

As the feminine figure walks down the hallway, getting closer to the screen, the villainous laughter can still be heard echoing in the background. Her fiery burning orange purple/black eyes glint in the darkness, faintly illuminating a host of cages of varying sizes. A multitude of evil and distorted creatures and monsters reside inside, resting, waiting for their turn to feast on the blood of the innocent.

Soon, it will be time to rule. Soon, the eternal darkness will fall on the earth, and then the Universe...