Samor returned alongside Mya from their visit to Sector 1599 to a dark sky, which intermingled with the glowing neon lights of the city. Mya carried a box of supplies while gazing at the stars. Most items were clothes, but some were useful devices like fire starters, lights, and valuables to sell.

  Of course, all of it was stolen. That was something that filled Samor with great shame, especially as he carried a box full of stolen items himself. Unfortunately, he hadn't figured out another way. He was nowhere near old enough for work, nor could he go to school. A career in the Citadel of Science or the Echelon was a distant dream for most, never mind those with nothing.

  And besides, who would look after Mya?

  Samor sensed something darken within, filling him with fear, before that fear turned into anger. Why were things like this? Why did he have to spend every single day wondering how they'd survive the next?

  And why did Mother and Father have to die?

  Samor shivered with tension, closing his eyes for a second or two before opening them again. They were almost back at Sector 1560 with their stolen goods. The market was always profitable to hit, even if it forced them to undertake the few days' journey to Sector 1599. He and Mya took turns to distract traders and steal valuable or necessary items.

  Meanwhile, the traders never knew someone had hit them.

  Still doesn't make it right, Samor thought, ruing the necessity. The worst part was how other Osirins treated those like him and Mya, the less fortunate, the homeless. According to them, they were nothing more than lazy, unworthy of even being called Osirins.

  If only they understood. If only they'd seen what we do, what we go through. Maybe then they wouldn't judge us. Then they'd help.

  Samor remembered painful memories of a thin Osirin woman and man. Though they smiled, they had suffered, just so he and Mya could eat.

  And they had died for it.

  Why am I thinking of that now? Samor wondered, finding himself hugging the box in his arms a little tighter, repressing the desire to cry. Mya couldn't see that, especially as she seemed to hop along the street with a spring in her step, always appearing so happy despite their situation. No, he would not drag her to his depths. He needed to be stronger.

  He needed to ensure her safety.

  Samor felt determination and strength rising within, along with agreement. It emboldened Samor, but it almost seemed to make something else rise within, a smile which sent terror through his bones. Samor ignored the sensation and focused on the end of the sector. They reached a rare open space in the city marked by a giant metal fence.

  'We're home!' Mya cheered, turning back to regard Samor, swinging the box in her arms with glee. Samor smiled, thankful for Mya's boundless enthusiasm. Still, he couldn't prevent the protective brother within him from coming out.

  'Be careful,' that protective brother said. 'We still don't know if we'll fit through the gap.'

  'Of course we will!' Mya said. As though to emphasise this, Mya then raced ahead, unflappable. Samor shook his head, breaking into a jog of his own to catch up with her.

  As they both headed towards their home, Sector 1560.

  They emerged through the opening among the towers and skyscrapers. An expanse which almost appeared like a crater within the endless city, full of mud, dirt, and many incomplete buildings, most without roofs. A metal fence surrounded the area, a cage for the less fortunate. To the west was the checkpoint, which comprised a giant gate, covered in searchlights. Samor hated it most of all, his anger rising every time he eyed it from a distance. He despised feeling like a caged animal.

  I thought we were supposed to be better than this.

  Thankfully, they never had to use the checkpoint. The few who did kept up the pretence that they were abiding by the rules. Those blessed souls allowed the others to do what they were doing right now.

  They enabled the likes of Samor and Mya to slip through the many gaps in the fence, so they could bring supplies to everyone.

  Mya had already begun such a task, heading for the nearest metal post between the mesh that comprised the fence. There she went onto her hands and knees to pull the bottom corner of the fence so that she could push her box through. True to her word, it fit without issue, which also meant he would find the same result.

  'C'mon!' she said. 'I told you we'd fit!'

  Samor didn't respond and went towards her. He pushed his box through the gap and crawled through after it. Once he was through, he rose and picked up the box. Mya had already done the same, regarding Samor with a hopeful expression. Knowing what she was asking, Samor nodded, watching as Mya grinned back.

  Then she turned and began racing down the dirt hill of the crater.

  Samor watched Mya run, as his sister made a beeline for one of the many burning barrels that stood between the ramshackle buildings and towers. They were surrounded by fellow homeless, their hands raised to gain warmth. Mya stopped at the nearest person and pulled out a coat from her box. She gave it to an older man who only had a thin shirt on. He nodded appreciatively and took the coat from her.

  Mother and Father would be so proud of you, Mya. Samor thought, smiling ruefully before he forced himself to move, walking down the same hill his sister had run down. Samor caught up with Mya and observed how her smile and words captivated the people around the barrel as she shared news of their latest market trip. Placing his own box down nearby, Samor reached into it before pulling out a tattered robe. Samor burned the garment instead of wearing it. Many of the others nodded in appreciation towards him, but Samor said nothing back.

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  They all understood.

  Samor turned, expecting to see Mya standing there, only to find that she'd already gone. But here, among those they knew, he didn't panic at his sister's sudden disappearance. Samor picked up his box and walked towards the next burning barrel among the broken buildings. Mya wouldn't have gone far. Besides, they were safe here. He knew where she was going.

  Until she surprised him by running in his direction with wide eyes, no longer carrying her box. At once, Samor's heart twisted within.

  'Samor! It's Hange, she's ill! Please help!'

  Samor dropped his box, breaking into a sprint without hesitation. He rushed past Mya, heading towards the third incomplete tower to their right, racing through a hole in the wall. He raced across the empty floor, heading for a staircase, running as quickly as he could. As he emerged on the first floor, he heard a groan, accompanying a stir that told him he'd just awoken Goya. Samor said nothing and darted for the next staircase, knowing he'd have to apologise to him later.

  But that didn't matter. He needed to reach Hange and Wanya.

  Samor climbed the stairs to the second and final complete floor of the tower. The smaller space had no ceiling and a missing wall, letting in the moonlight. Samor turned towards the only corner of the floor that had some covering. There, he saw the extended legs of an Osirin woman covered in multiple blankets.

  Beside her was a crying Osirin child who looked like the spitting image of Mya.

  That sight froze Samor, his eyes widening, knowing. It was a perfect replica of what he had seen when Mother and Father had died, with Mya crying between them, much like Wanya was right now. The juxtaposition of that memory haunted Samor before a gentle hand touched his shoulder. Samor looked up at an old Osirin with a slight stoop, regarding the same scene, saddened.

  'Wanya, come to me, child,' the old Osirin said, his voice gentle. However, Wanya didn't respond. She barely seemed to have heard him, her face buried in Hange's chest, weeping.

  'She was fine when we left…' Samor spoke, his voice small, stunned. The old Osirin, Goya, said nothing, stepping towards Hange and Wanya instead. All the while, Samor watched, knowing what would happen next.

  Knowing that Wanya was now alone, orphaned like him and Mya.

  Damn it, Samor thought, squeezing his fists, rage filling him. He shook and looked towards the gap in the floor without a wall. He saw the city of towers and lights, where billions of beings lived. They had access to healthcare, shelter, and food.

  While they had nothing and were barely surviving.

  Why is it like this? He stepped towards the ledge, angry and full of hatred towards those beyond the fence who didn't care about what was happening. It was wrong, so wrong.

  So why wasn't anyone doing anything about it?

  Samor gritted his teeth, shaking. He sensed the presence within emerging, embracing his feelings, fuelling his emotions. He allowed it, before turning his gaze towards the sky.

  'Samor?' The voice of Mya pulled him from his anger. Stunned at the intensity of his emotion, Samor turned and looked at Mya. She almost seemed afraid of him as she regarded him, no tears welling in her eyes.

  'Should I go to her?' she asked, and Samor realised she was referring to Wanya. He looked back at Goya, who appeared to have no luck with prying Wanya away from her mother. He nodded.

  'Yes, I think Goya needs your help,' he said, but Mya paused, contemplating. She then moved to assist Goya, while Samor turned back to the sky, looking towards the moon that cast light upon their part of Osiris.

  Wondering how many times he'd have to watch scenes like this unfold again.

  No, I won't… Samor resolved within, his anger instantly returning as he recalled the feelings of hopelessness and complete despair of knowing they'd never see Mother and Father again.

  It shouldn't be like this.

  Inside, he sensed the other presence agreeing with him before it filled him with disdain.

  That is why I chose you, Samor, Reviek then said within, his voice sounding like metal grinding. This universe is corrupting, losing sight of what matters. This is especially true of the Guardians, our descendants. They exist to inspire the others, to guide them towards a better path. Yet, they have failed. But we will correct them, Samor. We shall punish them for their failure. We will make this universe see what shall befall it should it continue down this path…

  Samor said nothing to that but agreed with Reviek. In a strange way, it reassured him. Yes, someone was on their side. Someone agreed something was wrong with everything. That filled Samor with vindication.

  But it also filled him with a sense of trepidation he didn't understand, a deeper kind of fear that he couldn't quite understand. He allowed himself to consider Reviek more, and the words he had just used.

  What will happen to the universe, should it continue? he asked, while listening to the uncontrollable sobs of Wanya, while Mya gently pulled her away from her mother. Reviek filled Samor with a coldness, as though disgusted.

  And that was more terrifying than the anger.

  We shall bring them death, the Odian answered.