Dear reader,

  We all can agree that history is scary.

  But someone’s curiosity outweighs tragedies which happened over 1,369 years ago. This text book, which is a document composed by one letter to the world. Written by a horrible man, yet a gracious savior in some eyes. 3,000 historians who took part in writing the only form of explanation we have of the dark renaissance. Are now borrowed and read by Pre-teens in a library somewhere. Thanks to our government, we were able to massively produce these history books without flaw. Not for the ego of our leaders, no the woman who took part in making this happen is gone. Me. An editor who made these books to spread their story. No historical leader, Nope, just a man in his forties with an aching back. Yet, they were not that different from us. No, most of us, who are not saints, are exactly alike.

  May your wonder outweigh your sin.

  -Through all of time, under our second sun. Thank you. You flip to the next page, which is weird since you used to hate books.

  Chapter 1: The boys, who were raised by the world.

  The flowers were incredibly ugly.

  But it begged to have a name. The flowers, which were beautiful, had names.

  They had museums. They had monuments. They were remembered for their beauty. For their name.

  The petals were a dull and dirty blonde color. Which matched the battered wall paint. Similar to the vase that withheld the flowers like a tender mother.

  Oh how the flowers wanted to be different then the vase that withheld them. But the flowers always wanted to visit the distant outside, someday. The flowers wanted to have a name more than anything,

  The flowers stood solemnly and stared at the mirror. The flowers thought, the mirror only spoke to the beautiful things. But the flowers only ever saw the present moment in its eyes. It didn't hear a thing.

  So, silence and the familiar company of dead leaves which were usually eaten by the proud phoenix, outside. Gave the breeze a humors hum, That the wind stringed across its instrument violently, with his long fingers delicately. Which the flowers loved so desolately.

  Then the Wind suddenly appeared to the flowers. The flowers received a gift.

  The gift of speech. Then on the same day, the flowers begged the wind God. To give him new petals, so he can attain beauty.

  The wind God granted his desire. With much pace, the flowers asked the mirror if he was beautiful. If he could finally get his name. The mirror simply reflected on what was there. Then the flowers forgot how much he wanted to go outside, before. The flowers then broke down and asked the wind God again. If he could have a new stem.

  His wish was granted and with much pace, the flowers asked the mirror again. The mirror had no response. Then the flowers Forgot.

  How much he had loved his vase, how much he loved the wind's hum. How much he admired the distant stars in the night sky. Then the flowers became forgotten. As the petals began to fall. It seemed like the flower wasn't anything at all. Just a sad stem. That only wanted to be valued in the eyes of men.

  The flowers screamed his name, which the mirror only heard. Sadly, the flowers didn't exist anymore.

  Mirrors remember what flowers don't.

  Flowers are shadows of time, while mirrors are the roaring rage of the present.

  “If all you do is try to be remembered then, all you’ll be is forgotten.”

  Under crystal chandeliers, silver pristine chairs and checkered pattern marble floor. Representatives and Government officials sit and gather in the capital. Icarus sat in the rows of tables which faced the center of the room in a circular manner. Almost how a circraitatic seminar would be set up. On these oakwood tables, a paper was folded to stand up facing the person in the center. Which read, their occupation and which corporation they were a part of in the government. These positions were democratically voted on. However, Icarus did not belong there. The rest of his table members were out of place. Including him. Except for Diego. Diego was soft spoken, somewhat wealthy as well. For a time he also had a reputation among his peers. But he threw it all away. Why? Icarus was preoccupied with his thoughts, he rarely took part in these meetings. To be honest, Icarus only thought about the day the group had meant. For the first time. Three long years, thousands of miles traveled together, back and forth to no-man's land and to S.A.R. Icraus rarely stopped and appreciated the memories which he had created with diego, simion, marcus and Alison. The cabinet members of the labor division. Icarus snapped to reality as Diego was called upon.

  The old man sat slumped in his chair, as he adjusted his glasses. As he read a letter in the center of the meeting, on his podium. “From the monarch of the south american republic. Cabinet member Diego, who made the laboring powerhouse of Junk Co. We request you and your cabinet members to join the laboring corporation. As a result of your efforts. The no man’s land is practically empty… Holding no value to us. By next week all governmental funding and operations towards the no-man lands will cease. Thank you.” The old man continued with more details about the new job that they were offering. An office job at its core. With the added benefits of having your own office. Icarus couldn't believe what he heard. Icarus loved the life he shared with the new family he managed to find. Would it remind the same if they did not travel together, sleep together, eat together? This new job was great and all but a part of Icraus felt as if this was just another reminder of things ending and starting again. Everything seemed to pass by in an instant to Icraus. As he watched the minutes and seconds tick off. The meeting was eventually over, the only thing he had remembered. Was how this week's trip would be its last, ever. Diego and the others signed the agreement. One last job. As the group walked out of the capital building, they saw the “bodega” building across the street. It was multiple stories tall. Icraus jumped, as he saw humongous creatures pass the group by. These enormous creatures had an elephant-like body. instead of trunks they had ginormous yellow beaks outlined with tassels of fur. On Top of there momentous bodies, they had carriages. Carrying the wealthy inside. Used as a fancier way of transportation.

  “Woah that one looks like cupid!” Simon stared longly.

  “I know, that reminds me where are we gonna put him after this week's mission…”

  “It’s fine we’re ride him like the rich people! HAHA!” Alison laughed maniacally, interrupting Diego

  The group felt the sense of sadness wash over them as they felt the sense of amazement engulf their faces as they stared at the inner city for the first time in Awe. The group had seen nothing like it before, always used to the filthy buildings in Heisenberg. For the first time, Roads didn’t smell like feces or were covered with a million merchants selling you the next practical or scam thing. It was nothing like that. Buildings inside the inner capitol city had Greek architecture. Pristine granite and marble reflected the illumination from the street lights. Protected by a large chained and concrete fence. Blocking what was on the outside. It was spotless and perfect. Beaming with rainbow lights and pleasure the tall building, nicknamed the “bodega” by the people. Which was only ever used for partying for the Government officials or the wealthy. No commoner had ever stepped inside the establishment. But Alison thought of herself like a God, and she would be damned if social classes separated her from a good time again.

  “UGH, FUCK YOU WORMS IM GONNA PARTY ARE YOU WITH ME OR NOT?” spoke Allison with her chest, expecting protests from Diego. As the street light had illuminated each of them except for icarus. Diego spoke with a warm smile.

  “You know, that doesn't seem that bad. Everyone got their Ids?” Diego chuckled warmly as the group's mouth dropped to the floor. Simon stared at his ID through his pitch black sunglasses. As he admired the visitation rights on his ID. “The same rights as a governmental official, for a day... never thought i’d see my ID with those three stars.” Simon thought and felt a source of pride. Although, They rarely had any fun with Diego, they appreciated his company the most. Diego was like the glue that withholds the group together.

  “HUH?! WHAT TRICK ARE YOU TRYNA PLAYING ON ME, OLD MAN!? IS THIS THE REAL DIEGO??”

  Alision laughed deep in her throat.

  Alison's maniacal laughter reminded Icarus when they all first ment five years ago. Nostalgia fled into Icraus’s eyes as the street light turned into a holding cell. As the whole environment changed. The walls were tattered and tarnished. They were thick and concrete, as the moon light was separated into five equal parts. It covered the faces of the three strangers. Loud footsteps approached the cell as Icraus felt an immense amount of fear. He watched the policeman take the stranger with the long silky straight hair. Marcus handcuffed followed the policeman, up the stairwell right across the cell. They continued walking down a pure milky white corridor as they entered one of the rooms. he didn’t even attempt to struggle as they took his mugshot. The policeman sat with his partner in a table facing Marcus as they read Marcus’s past and current charges outloud.

  “Vandalism, first degree murder, Thei… Thievery… I’m sorry you took money from a church..? Anyways, you are under arrest for trespassing at the bodega establishment, each charge i’ve listed before will add additional time to your sentence if found guilty, thank you. would you like to call your lawyer or have one provided for you.”

  “No, sir.” Marcus responded. The police officer stopped speechless as he sighed, writing in his tiny folder requesting the second stranger. Simon sauntered in the room fidgeting, with the chains on his handcuffs. He had a terrible tan from his sunglasses, engraved on his african features as he scratched the back side of his neck. The police officer did the same process as before.

  “4 cases of manslaughter and seven cases of thievery. You are under arrest for trespassing at the bodega establishment and all the charges I've listed above. If you have a lawyer it would be the time to call them or if you're in need of one. It will be provided for you.” The police officer took a deep breath of pride through his thick nostrils. As he looked at his partner bellowing with laughter.

  “I can’t believe we caught the husband! Haha! how’d it feel being the guy in the chair for your dead wife!”

  “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Marcus screamed as the two police officers taunted him with racial comments as they returned him to the holding cell. A berif moment passed as they brought in the third stranger. The police officer looked concerned as she manically smiled at the camera as he read her charges.

  “1,000 aggravated assault cases… um…”

  “um what? are you disrespecting me?!” The police officer looked extremely afraid. As his palms started to sweat as his partner interfered.

  “NoNoNo-”

  “Why am I here, worm?!” Alison snapped at the police men scratching the barbed wire tattoo on her neck giving the illusion that she was being strangled. She had tattoos scattered along her body. some even on her face to make her appear more masculine. It did not work in the slightest. Her body was muscular but her face was extremely feminine, there were no amount of tattoos that could fix that. Her ivory tanned skin was illuminated by the lamp above.

  “Take her back to the holding cell…” The police men told his partner as they approached her hesitantly. Alision screamed as she banged on the cell doors.

  “I SWEAR TO GOD! I'M GONNA KILL ALL OF YOU WORMS IF I GET OUT OF HERE!” Alison stomped to the corner of the cell as everyone watched somewhat trying not to laugh. Icraus assumed he was gonna be next. He was afraid but he accepted what was going to happen. But then everyone looked over outside of the cell. They heard soft footsteps as a man in a tuxedo somewhere in his mid-thirties. He looked like he was in midlife crisis, he had horrible eye bags and a painters brush mustache. He carried a briefcase as he looked over. He deeply yawned. Icraus and Diego made eye contact as both of them felt as if they had seen one another before.

  “My name is Diego, I have a job opportunity for everyone in this room. If you accept… all charges will be dropped from you. every. single. one.” He brought up a stool and sat in front of the cell. He revealed the thousands of dollars in cash he had stored in his briefcase. He slid 4 envelopes under the iron cell as he walked away.

  “I'm bailing you out, read the instructions.” a couple of moments after the two police officers from before opened the cell gesturing to leave. However before leaving Alison spit in one of their faces.

  The group left, as each of them went there separate ways. The instructions read,

  “Meet me at pesto bakery at 12:00 am in bellies-berg.

  -Diego.”

  The group sat down in a booth, towards the back of the restaurant. The bakery was bustling with hungry customers and the warm smells of cakes and cookies engulfed the air. Fiddlers and actors played in the center of the restaurant creating a loud lively atmosphere. Icraus fidgeted with the buttons on his tunic as Diego explained the job.

  “I like to think you are what you eat. The things you accept the most are eaten with the people you love the most. not to say i love any of you.” Diego explained. laughing a little. Icraus admired his wisdom as he explained the job again.

  “This is a bunch of horse shit! are you tryna set us up? no mans land?” Alison got closer to Diego.

  “are you tryna disrespect me? i could kill you right here.”

  “Go on, try me.” Diego said not even phased by her threats, like her words floated amlessy into his trapsent psyche. Alison got up out of the booth and threw a hard punch at Diego.

  Diego instantly dodged the attack as he caught her arm in a front russian, threatening to break her arm. Alison was spooked by this as she started to respect Diego. Calmed down, Alison entered the booth again. Marcus and Simon were shocked at how fast Alison had gotten humbled. Maybe she wasn’t as crazy as she tried portraying herself.

  A day had passed, Dust clouds and particles flew into the dawning sunset as the tangerine colored dunes seemingly were outlined with Gold. The sound of engines rang out in the empty desert as Icraus struggled to ride with the others. He hadn’t even rode a bike before, riding an all terrain motorcycle was like the equivalent of handing a chimp a machine gun. Diego taught him all day how to ride it. Icraus was somewhat losing balance but was getting the hang of it. A proud smirk rolled across Diego’s face as he glanced at his gun. He walked towards his bike, rubbing the sweat off of his brow. While the others were enjoying there first time riding, Diego was contemplating on what to do. Suddenly without warning he threw his gun on the ground and started to yell and kick at it. Icraus saw this from a distance while the others were preoccupied with trying to ride the new motor bikes they had just acquired hours earlier. Night started to fall on the tangerine colored dunes. Diego sliced and squeezed some cotton candy cactus juice as they set up camp close to a Gypsy pit. The group was separated into three big tents that were about the size of a small hut. Icraus and Diego sat on a nearby dune.

  “I’m proud of you, Icraus. don’t be sad, sure you made a lot of accidents trying to ride that stupid thing… look… The way I like to think about it, is that being alive is the same as being in a big accident. You grow, you heal… Don’t apologize for being alive. It’s okay to make mistakes. Kid” Diego patted Icraus on the back as he smiled warmly. Icraus never felt more seen, he felt as if Diego was his dad at some points.

  “Thanks, Diego. not to brag but it is my birthday…”

  “No way, you should've told me earlier, kid!”

  “can we please have those waffles from pesto. I'm so hungry, I could die!” Icarus dramatically acts out how he’s starving to death as Diego plays along. Rustling in the distance interrupts Icraus and Diego as dust clouds erupt. Thousands of little purple eyes could be seen, loud whispers and sounds of almost rat like creatures get louder as a coyote gets completely devoured in front of Diego and Icraus. They panic as the herd of dust rats come super close to their dune. Marcus, Alison and Simon were awoken by sudden shotgun fire.

  “Diego i’m scared!-”

  “Everything will be okay…i… promise…” He covered Icraus’s eyes, As he shut his. Diego’s aims the shotgun towards the jaws of death, as he holds Icarus with the other arm as the cloud of dust rats disperse as a wild elphuck charges in front of both Icraus and Diego. Saving them from certain death. Simon took a sigh of relief and looked in amazement.

  “Fuck yes! holy shit! Thank you big boy!” Simon and Alison looked in horror as the giant vibrations from the elphuck shook the oil lamps causing one of their tents to erupt in flames. The group spent all night trying to put out the flames. Luckily, they left their belongings on the ship. Which had its benefits and its cons. The group saw their first dawn that day. From that day on, The elphuck from before wouldn’t leave them alone. Simon named him cupid and became their main source of transportation. From that day on, every week The group would go to the no-man's lands together. After that mission. The government requested Diego’s junk collector job to become a full fledged company apart of the government. The government granted funding and the junk collectors became the most employed job in the country. Collecting objects that are extremely radiated making the land safer and also collecting valuables to sell. Every year, The group goes to pesco bakery for Icraus’s birthday. That’s what Icraus remembered the most. His vision was restored to the present. As Alison screamed,

  “WE'RE GONNA PARTY TONIGHT! HA I CANT WAIT TO SEE THE STAFFS FACES! THEY WONT ARREST US NOW!”

  “Wait, what about icarus? He's still just a teenager. Look ill just stay out with him-” Diego replied to Alison.

  “Let him come. Come on, he's seen worse. He's not a little scrawny tween anymore” Simion butted in with a light chuckle.

  “Plus this will be Toothpick’s opportunity to pay me back! Yeah, I still remember that walk-men you broke a couple years back!”

  Icarus abruptly laughed. “Get over yourself simon! And stop calling me toothpick! I’m more muscular than you!”

  “AS IF, I'M NEVER GETTING OVER THAT AFTER LAW 51! YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT- NOPE, YOUR STILL THAT SCRAWNY KID FROM ALL THOSE YEARS AGO HA!” Marcus got in the middle of both Icraus and Simon. Breaking up a potential “fight” between the two.

  “Alright! How about we just go. Ok!”

  “YEAH I'M TIRED OF THIS, WORMS!”

  Diego seemed pissed.

  “Alision, for the last time can you stop that…”

  “Ugh fine.”

  The group walked to the Bodega. They had memories with this place. They saw it was an open party for the wealthy, in remembrance for the armistice. The staff looked like their eyes were gonna pop out of there heads seeing Marcus, Simon and Alison.

  “IDs now!” A staff member blocked them from entering, still remembering about the trespassing the three had done four years ago. The three smugly showed their IDs. “Suck it hot stuff.” Alison chuckled as they were reluctantly allowed in.

  They were given masks that resembled different animals. They were also forced to put any personal belongings on the side with the staff. Simon reluctantly gave them his sunglasses which he wore all the time. He then handed his wallet over to Alison as he tied his shoes in knot.

  “Thanks Alison, your a real life saver. God i swear icraus is gonna be the death of us if he doesn’t give me twice the money he owes me i swear i’ll-“

  “That was three years ago come on. just get over it.”

  Alison remarked as she followed Diego. Simon briefly sighed before following aswell.

  Diego got the wolf, Icarus had gotten the sheep, Marcus had gotten the fox, Simon got the rabbit and lastly. Alision got the bird mask.

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  As they walked in the front door. The entrance was cluttered with masked people varying with different animals, as naked masked acrobatics hung from the ceiling. Falling up and down in graceful movements.

  As men from the ceiling, on a bunch of different secret rows of platforms, douse the flames every few seconds with different powders t0 give the lights a new color. It was a masquerade. There were an over abundance of activities which included gambling, biting and drinking.

  Knights, with pristine white leather armor guarded the stairway to the upper floors. Diego felt nostalgic about the whole thing as he tried to shield Icruas’s eyes in a joking manner. The rainbow lights dazzle the crowded dance floor. As all the lights were burned out for a moment. Before turning into its normal stail warm color. A dark shadow emerges from the stairwell, the eyes of many widen as a single mouse could be heard within the feet of many. The monster. He seemed to be a general. Many shiny badges with no shiny scars. His eyes seemed to be bathed in riches and spoils. The opposite of what a soldier's eyes are. He stood in front of the crowd as the armored knights with the pristine signature white leather armors held a skeleton which was 8 feet high.   “These are the animals which conquered and lived on the planet in our 80 years of absence! These animals may still live among us! Unfortunately they do! We are here to celebrate the extinction of the wolf gypsy. The Gypsies which were left behind in the great blink! Turned into these very same monsters!”

  The crowd seemed uninterested as the general rambled on and on. About their efforts of making S.A.R into a clean country, unlike the filthy americans. The presentation ended with one simple saying.

  “When eyes gleam with purple, death will shine in ritual.” The party resumed for the crowd, but it completely stopped for Icraus. Icarus walked towards the exit as his hands got extremely sweaty. His vision started to blur. “Why did they have to say that? Why did you have to say it!” Icraus thought he was on the verge of exiting as Diego grabbed his shoulder. Drinks are passed around during a poker game as Marcus and Simon play each other. But before, Alison had an unusual amount of money that she played with Marcus which she lost.

  “Man, I got so much money from the last ten whole grand. I got it from your little crush aswell HA!” Marcus remarked as Simon rolls his eyes. Feeling that his pockets got a bit lighter.

  “Stop teasing me about that! There's nothing wrong with liking a little bit of ego… God.”

  “Look man, we're gonna get office jobs soon if you don't ask her out. I will for y0u, then you'll look like more of a pussy. Just saying.”

  “Fine, if I get a royal flush I will. What are we betting anyways?” Simion said as his african features gleamed with the dim rainbow lighting. The same similar effect happened with Marcus’s asian features as his long straight hair cascaded down to his shoulders.

  “10,000$?” Simon nodded at Marcus’s request. As Simon itched his curly thick hair. They both had the same body type. Scrawny and skinny. Diego, Icarus and Alision were the real muscle of the group. They were great navigators even without the use of technology. they were tech wizards pretty much everywhere except S.A.R since it outlawed technology outside of governmental zones. Marcus always wanted to make a radio station which never stopped. A project like this could cost thousands. Every dollar to him counted. He saved enough money from all the expeditions to make his dream a possibility. This game meant everything to him. The poker game was intense, the flip of cards were like the generations of history crying out in vain. The generations which were burned away due to not supporting the current beliefs that the century withheld. Prolonging the conflict of humanity's common mistakes. Diamonds and kings can be burned to ash but the words that conceive our language can never be truly burned away. As words hold more meaning than humans ever do. Without thought or words human meaning is nothing. But with thoughts and genuine words being human does mean something. This meaning is contrived off of personal bias and subjectiveness. As the truth is you, as you reflect the truth back into the endless mirror we call life. It will soon reflect upon you.

  “You got beat? Hello?” Marcus kept snapping in front of his face until he wasn't zoned out anymore.

  “Its either pay or ask her out-” Marcus replied smugly. Simon instantly got up from his chair and started to walk over to Alison. He felt his shaky warm breaths under his mask. Simon looked at her bird mask longingly as she talked with the few woman at the party.

  “what brought you here, anyways?” The lighting reflected off of Alision’s smooth ivory skin. She picked the dirt off of her nails somewhat. fidgeting nervously.

  “My boss is over here on a trip. She actually has interest in your freind over there. hm? oh where did he-” The woman who spoke looked confused and just shrugged.

  “WHAT?! tell me who.”

  “no can do sis. I hate this party. So much propaganda for a minority that hadn’t done any wrong at all…”

  “i mean the gypsies… they were only made in lab… right? there just superficial humans-”

  “yeah for the first few generations. before the farms were disbanded after the great blink. they bread them like farm animals!” The Woman deeply sighed. As she lifted her mask up slightly, to drink the shot of vodka she had in her hands.

  “The only difference between them and you, is there eye color” Alision snapped at the woman.

  “Are you tryna disrespect me? there monsters! how do you explain the wolf gypsies then! There eye color was purple too! Plus aren’t they immune to poison?!” Alison started to get more threatening as the conversation progressed.

  “I dunno. but it’s odd how no gypsies went missing after the great blink aswell.”

  Alison sat back in her seat. rolling her eyes slightly, as the bartender felt the unease and tension among the two. The party raged on behind them, as a small silence washed over the two. The woman got up and paid for both drinks, as she disappeared in the cloudy mist of smoke and rainbow lighting. As the crowd chanted songs in latin. Her mask. Her mask was the same as Alison’s. A symbol of freedom. All Alison ever wanted was some source of freedom. she had felt as if every choice was made for her. She glared at the American flag which was burned almost completely. As the only recognizable features of the flag were its stars. Oh how she wanted to flee the country and start over. Away from everything. But not away from everyone. But yet, all she can do is look outside the peep holes her family carved in her hardened mask. Not daring to to reveal who she actually is. She felt a slight touch on her shoulder as she slouched over the bar.

  “Alison? i have something i wanna say.” Simon remarked. As he itched apart of his chin.

  “I really like you-”

  Alison’s heart filled with guilt. Not for the incoming rejection that she would give, but for the wealth she had stolen and losed from Simon.

  “Ok? i don’t care! what are you standing around for get lost!”

  “oh…”

  Simon looked devastated. The party raged on as simon’s whole focus went on her. Everything around him went dark. A spotlight was set on her. Only her. As she faced a large mirror. All it reflected was simon. Simon Failed on getting the thing he wanted for years. Failed to protect his last partner. Now, he fails in the pursuit of love. The weghit of new insecurities crawl among him as if he entered a spiders nest. The click and tatters of there legs as they crawl all over him before consuming him completely. Then it all stopped. He snapped back to reality as he felt his wallet. There was absolutely no cash left. He then glared at Alison. He marched angrily towards Alison.

  “WHERE THE FUCK IS MY MONEY! YOU HAD IT LAST!” He said holding her by the collar somewhat. Alison was somewhat shorter then Simon was. just by an inch. Alison was spooked by Simon’s sudden outburst. She was almost speechless as the crowd and musicians in the front go quiet. All attention was centered on them. Before this had happened. Icarus had tears in his eyes. As Diego embraced him.

  “It’s okay. Everything is okay. what’s wrong?”

  “I… Don’t…” Icraus had shaker words then the bodega itself. As Diego calmly rubbed his back.

  “I want you to list three things you can see. can you do that?”

  “yeah… i see… a gun… a tall skeleton… and… and…a— general.” Icraus’s tears seeped in the red velvet carpeting. As he felt the powerful footsteps of the general that approached the two on the edge of an ocean of bright lights and pleasure. The general brought out his necklace filled with sharpened teeth. The teeth looked human. As he put on the necklace. Icraus saw this and trembled even more. Diego couldn’t understand why?

  “Diego! My brother in arms remember how many giga wolves we killed back in the day! I prefer saying wolf gypsies but i know how you like staying politically correct. Look how many teeth i’ve collected! I wish we could use them as perfume again but you know! The war has been our main focus for a year now” The general slightly mocked him as his eyes sat on Icarus. Almost like a predator he examined him with utmost familiarity like he saw his face somewhere. He just couldn’t trace it from what and where.

  “Who are you. You seem so familiar. Your name?” Icraus felt clearly uncomfortable as diego got in front of him.

  “His name is Icraus. He’s like a son to me. So if you excuse us we’re leaving…”

  “Oh but you shouldn't, we should have dinner please i insist! I promise I won't lay a finger on any of you. Maybe i will if you don’t follow me.” Knights with closed helms wielded there bolt action rifles by the buttstock as they surrounded the two threateningly. Their white pristine armor was tarnished, invulnerable to stabbing or fire arms. An imperial guardsmen's only weak spot was his head.

  Diego rolled his eyes as he held onto Icraus’s wrist protectively. He felt as if he couldn’t do anything, since he was unarmed.

  “He’s staying with me, Alex.”

  “Fine. follow me.” The general lead them up to the stairwell as they passed many floors.

  “Remember how many gypsies you killed for me, you see Icarus your old man. Was, a legend around here. A forgotten one that is… He was the best sniper that had ever existed before he settled for… this sorta of life…” Alex rubbed his furrowed forehead feeling the anger in Diego’s eyes.

  Until they reached the highest one. On Top of the doorway, It read. governmental zone; Technology which corresponds to the 20th-22nd century is permitted for use beyond this point. It was a long corridor which resembled a luxurious hotel in the 21st century. Each room was numbered as modern lights filled the hall. The general lead them to one of the rooms as a screen took his fingerprint. It smelled like a hotel. The door opened to a luxurious white room with a gorgeous granite table and checkered pattern flooring. It was filled with early renaissance painting that the world has never even seen before. there were so many paintings of a huge wall of crosses and a dancing detailed lion in the middle. Behind the lion was a burning village. The painting portrayed the lion almost carelessly dancing behind a great flame and a wall of 5000 foot crosses. the table was about 50 feet. Almost filled up entirely of diplomats and influential Aristocats. Instead of masks they were wearing actual animal heads. The most common animal head was the lamb. The blood from the decapitated heads trickled down the necks of the elites. They stopped and stared at the new guests. Dread filled both Icraus and Diego. A basket filled with masks were on a tray next to the door. They took off there masks as Icraus kept his head down. Diego lead them to an open seat. They sat towards the end of the table. As pots filled with delicious soups were betted in the table. Naked men with checkered pattern white and black paint gave them there food. The men bowed as they left the room. It appeared to just be a steak that was cooked to be rare. With a side of mashed potatoes. The lighting in the room was dark and warm. Only lit with three candles in the center of the table. Everyone at the table was guilty. As the shadows overwhelmed the light. Icraus immediately started to eat his mashed potatoes that was given to him. He was pescatarian. He hated meat that wasn’t fish. Icraus was the one that was soaked most by the shadows.

  “Icraus show some manners. Don’t you dare ask for fish either. They might cook you or something.”

  “sorry…” Icraus chuckled lightly at the joke.   “These guys give me the creeps…”

  “yeah your right… Icarus these guys are crazy…”

  Diego adjusted his seat slightly and taught Icraus how to use a napkin as a bib. They started to eat. No questions, words or even sounds were transferred among this dinner of the elite. Alex cleared his throat. Diego begin to make strategies in his head for a plan of escape. As the checkered men came back and passed around shots to everyone except Diego.

  “I want to make a toast to the prophet!” The men at the table cheer as they toast there shots. Diego looked in disbelief at Icarus drinking his shot!

  “What did i tell you about drinking alcohol!” Icarus looked around confused as the men dropped dead. There animal heads sliding off to reveal their cold and lifeless corpses. Making a splat sound as it fell to the ground. But Icarus was perfectly okay along with Diego?

  “Diego… why is there an eye in the soup…”

  An eyeball with a purple iris floated in the center of the pot. With light bubbles an arm floated up in the center of the pot as well. It looked to be the same as the meat Diego had just eaten. He almost screamed as he panicked. How could he enjoy the flesh of another person, as much as he tried to not accept the meat that he began to sallow. It just tasted to good, as more body parts floated to the top. But the one thing which stuck with him the most was the eye he recognized. Which wasn’t the eye of a gypsy. Icraus sat there immensely confused at the sight he was seeing. They were eating people… his people… why?

  CRACKLE. Two gunshots rang out below them. As they heard the crowd gasp and scream below. The door swung open as a few armed Soldiers flooded the room. They wore tactical black armor, same as the white armor the knights from before wore. But in an opposite color. They had Ski masks on, and automatic assault rifles. Diego tried protecting Icarus as he got in front of him. He picked up a stake knife. He thrusted the knife into one of the soldiers' necks. Gunshots ring out in the room as fire spits toward Diego. He uses the dead soldier as a body shield. He responds with even more gun fire, killing the soldiers instantly. All headshots with Icraus behind him. Diego runs with Icraus as they go to a separate room. It seemed like a chapel as they hid behind thirty foot long pews. He reloaded the assault rifle he had just looted. as more soldiers started to flood the room. He entered the magazine and pulled the trigger using the pews as cover. Killing the team of soldiers. The black pristine armor they wore was impenetrable but the deadly mistake they made, Was not wearing helmets. He runs with Icraus as they get closer towards the exit. Going down each floor. They made it to the one last few floors. Diego noticed how each soldier had sharp teeth and how they wore sunglasses aswell. It was odd. Diego heard footsteps behind him.

  “DIEGO BEHIND YOU!-” Icarus tried to warn Diego as a knife grazed his cheek. This soldier was tall. She had fiery red hair with a long braided ponytail. Diego instantly unharmed her. As he grabbed the knife she had. He tried to thrust the knife into her neck. She dodged it, instantly, the knife sorta gliding down her chin leaving a scar. Her long legs grapple Diego’s torso, changing position. She broke Diego’s ankle. Icarus tackles the lady. Punching her repeatedly till his knuckles started to bleed, wrestling her as Diego limped to get the assault rifle that laid across the room. The woman eventually beat Icarus to unconsciousness. Diego flipped the gun over and fired it towards the woman, aiming towards her head. She dodged them instantly. As he limped towards Icraus’s unconscious body before getting caught off guard by another soldier and getting beaten to unconsciousness as well.

  Icraus, Marcus, Simon and Alision wake up on the Heisenberg port. Icraus woke up to the sound of waves and fighting. The smell of rain and oil boats filled his nostrils. As he felt the cold cobblestone beneath his head. Simon had a smoldering black eye.

  “You bitch! You steal my money… i’m never gonna fucking forgive you. you fucking fucking bitch!”-

  “I-I thought i could win!”

  “well you didn’t…” Simon said, wiping the blood off of his nose. Alison’s face was equally as smashed.

  Icraus’s head started to ring as he looked for Diego. He noticed the cobalt screw in the back of Simon’s head.

  “Marcus… Marcus, where’s Diego?”

  “we don’t fucking know, all we know is that some soilders dropped us off here. and that Simon now has a screw in the back of his head!” Marcus seemed stressed as he tried to stop the fight between the two. Diego limped infront of the two coming out of nowhere. As Simon tried to pull a knife on Alison.

  “What the hell is wrong with you people!? we’re a family! we’re.. a family…” Diego also had a screw in the back of his head.

  “Look, I have your money… i’ll give it to you if you guys stop fucking fighting! Alison… you need to stop. You will be paying me back!” Marcus said extremely upset.

  “I’m done with this fucking “Family”!” Marcus yelled shoving the money into simon’s chest. Icarus and Diego were both confused.

  “Yeah fuck them im coming too wait for me!” Simon walked towards Marcus as they left the port together.

  “My head… what happened.” Icraus got up. As Alison dropped to her knees letting out the most blood curdling scream.

  “IM SORRY… i’m sorry. come back… don’t leave me… i didn’t mean it…” Not one of them looked back. The sunset reflected off Diego’s and Icraus’s faces as they both looked at each other in utter shock and confusion. what had happened between them. It started to rain as the rope fences swayed which valiantly guarded the sea. Diego walked towards Alison and put his hand over her shoulder. It slightly chilled against her warm ivory skin.

  “Get the fuck off of me Diego… i-i don’t need your help!”

  “Alison, stop! i’m worried about you. Stay with me and Icraus. Just for a night. I'm serious! We have a mission tomorrow, come on.”

  “Y-you heard them fuck this family… And fuck you…” Alison walked to the distant street.

  “You fucking physcopath! fuck you! fuck you!” Diego yelled losing his temper.

  Clouds of rain rolled in as it started to rain. She called herself a carriage as she went to her apartment. Night started to fall.

  “It’s happening all over again…” Icraus muttered to himself, as Diego and him called themselves a carriage on the wired telephone box, the same one Alison used. Icraus looked out the carriage’s window to see the outside of Heisenberg's capital. The actual city was disgusting and filthy, hundreds of bodies lay outside the gates of governmental zones and the inner capital. Yet people couldn’t care less unless it happened to them. The city was stuck in the 18th century. it’s technology and most of it’s culture was as well. The carraige passed by a public play. Street performers which performed for a dead audience. Icraus always thought they we’re rehearsing. Most streets were empty during this time. But they weren’t for performers and aspiring actors. As nowadays, word of mouth is more powerful then a degree or a resuem. The horses trotted along as they made it to Diego’s apartment. It was a monutmenous complex with highly detailed brutalist architecture. It was like the walls of his own house, hated what was ever inside.

  It came to an abrupt stop.

  “Don’t worry bud. I'll figure something out. I always do. Are you sure you don’t wanna come with me?” Diego tried to comfort Icraus. The best he could. Knowing how challenging it was to wacth that happen.

  “I’ll talk to them tomorrow okay? just rest up. The mission isn’t cancelled yet okay?

  “Diego… i think… It’ll be easier if i stay at my place since it’s closer to the canal…” Icraus spoke with a slight tinge in his voice.

  A small silence followed as the wind lightly shook Icarus’s honey brown colored curly hair through the opened door. His hooked nose was somewhat chilled as well. Despite being inside the carriage. Diego nodded,

  “Stay safe, Icraus. if you need anything i’m always here.”

  Diego shuts the door as the carriage slowly takes Icraus to his apartment. Icraus stared out through the window. Huge and long posters stook out like a sore thumb among the less modern buildings. As radical propaganda of gypsies were hung throughout the city. The posters were shiny and spotless, while the city was rancid and filthy. Warning people about sharpened teeth and purple eyes.

  after a 2 hour horse ride. Icraus pays the carriage driver handsomely.

  He goes into his apartment. It was only one room. Icraus is swallowed by the immense darkness. He struggles to find his lighter as he lights a lantern. He hangs it in the center of the apartment. He notices the droplets on the window. Illuminated and slightly highlighted by the warm and cozy lighting. Icraus sits on his woolly soft couch. He took a deep sigh as he looked to his left. Flowers. Grey flowers sat in a dirty muddy brown vase on the small cheap circular oak table. Which could only fit two people. It had two chairs facing each other. The table itself was cluttered with painting supplies. As only one flower in that entire vase was alive. Out of the four that were in there. Feeling the familiar company of the leaves. Icraus spent years trying to perfect his ability on painting flowers. That was his job before Diego. Icraus couldn’t remember if he had ever seen a colorful flower before. Before the great blink people said that there were many beautiful and colorful flowers in the world. Icraus patiently waited for the rain to stop as he used the fire escape to sneak out of his apartment. He snuck into the dried up irrigation channel as he followed it to the sewer. He walked into the immense darkness as he lit a single match. A small light defying a great blanket of darkness. He walked for about a mile before reaching his destination. His home. It was an abandoned town. He escaped the irrigation channel by the rope he set up before. He crawled onto the asphalt before standing up. A large broken and ripped chain linked fence acted almost as an inefficient barrier between the small town. Icraus stepped on the small warning sign. Stating of the dangerous “Radition levels” All Icraus ever saw was weird ancient symbols on random objects. The moon chilled his entire face as he entered an abandoned nursery. The nursery was completely boarded up with cheap ply wood and rusted nails. An american flag sat in the center of the room. Beams of separate moonlight leaked through the stripes of plywood. As the ambient sounds of a nearby running stream fills the absence of sound. Superman comics laid stacked neatly in the corner of the room. A bed laid in the left side corner. Icraus flipped on the lights. Red, White and blue LED Christmas lights sparkle in the far corners of the room. Icraus gets ready for bed. He enters the broken and dusty bathroom. The blue tiles chill his feet as he leans on the sink staring at himself in the moon lit mirror. He takes off his contacts which revealed his purple eyes. He was a Gyspy. His purple eyes gave a bright yet faint glow. He placed the tinted contacts on the right corner of the sink. He sank inside of his bed looking at the framed picture that sat nearby the American flag. It was a picture with the group, smiling. Icraus was scared that the group wouldn't be the same after today. Anthor picture sat beside it. It was the only picture he had of his brother. Pictures with crayons laid on the desk near the bed laid drawn pictures of the “masked man”. With a red long top hat and a mask. With a long red cross in the center blocking all facial features. Dozens of letters laid by his bed. Icraus would ask himself the same question, every night. Why didn’t Astro take Icarus with him to the United states. His heart ached as he looked at the countless letters sent from him. He noticed how differently he dotted his I’s ever since he started to send them. But he was just glad that his brother was still alive. That he still had some form of connection with him. Icraus started to reminisce on Simon’s dream. About going to his fathers ranch near the sea in the bahamas. Tickets outside of the country costed a fortune. But everyday made it seem more possible. Icraus smiled thinking about his brother meeting the new family he had created as he drifted off to sleep. Remembering the first time he ever ment diego. in the back of a train which was sending flowers, products and refugees to belliesberg. But diego never even knew they ment at that time. Where all the flowers were incredibly ugly, even with color.

  “A sad stem, that only wants to be valued in the eyes of men…” Icarus whispered as he drifted off to sleep remembering the story Astro made up. How it made no sense at all. That’s what Icraus remembered the most about him. Apart of him, misses his antics. How complex he was. He was like a piece of everyone he ever ment. Till this day, he’s never met a single person like that.

  All Icraus could remember was, before.