Utopia

[Rikugurl]

Big, blue eyes watched as the Murderous dragon came into view, not truly surprised to see it coming up first. They really needed to come up with an idea on how to spread the RAID word because it wasn't really a raid if their enemy knew they were coming. When he heard the roar, he looked out, seeing his father and a few men head out. This was suicide...
He then watched Vanitas fly off, followed by Roxas and then he too gave the orders. "OG!" Black wings flapped hard and they were off, the blonde quickly looking back to see Sora following close behind. He knew what he said to his eldest brother didn't cheer him up any but they couldn't keep acting like children. There were a lack of women and without them, there was no more Skyflyers.

If he thought cannibalism was bad, he didn't even want to think about incest...

He shook out the mental picture and Verrill effortlessly dodged the ball of flame, keeping up easily with the rest.
Jet glanced over at his right man and nodded, knowing exactly who was the fastest. "VENTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUS!!" The leader called, praying that he hadn't made the worst mistake in his life calling out his son.
As for the blonde, he was just falling behind Van, keeping his eyes fixed on his blackened brother when he heard his name called. "Shit..." He whispered but patted on the Fury's head. "etsl og! Lyf ikel het ightn!" Verrill gave a mighty roar and instantly, he vanished, his flight so fast it was near impossible to spot.

Once the sun went down completely, he would be invincible. But for now...
A blue stream of fire shot from the right, exploding in crackles as it hit the Murderous dragon's side. When the large beast shot his head around to the right, another instant hit slammed into him on the left, making the Murder roar in anger.
This game lasted for as long as it needed to, the rest of the Flyers speeding by the distracted brute and down towards the Chaser's home.
Verrill and Ven were the little bug that buzzed and no matter how much you swat at it blindly, it never goes away. The Fury flew up close, catching the Murder's eye and when he looked up, another blue flame rocketed down, hitting the larger dragon square in the eyeball.

Night Fury aim was always accurate, even in the most awkward positions. This Chaser may have a Murderous but Night Fury were once known as the 'unholy offspring of lightning and Death itself'. With the large dragon screeching in pain, Ven took his leave, once more, easily catching up with his people as if he had never left their side and Verrill wasn't even winded. They flew lower, once Ven caught Vanitas's position and followed behind.

[Reno]

"SON OF A BITCH!" Was the yell that echoed from Ven's passing, Terra grunting in pain as well as his dragon stumbled some. He grimaced reaching up to cover his eye. He gripped the riding reigns hard, growling in fury with Atteris. It was a smart move, but it wouldn't slow them down for long.

But it was long enough for Jet to get out a second plan, yelling for Seifer and then two other sons, one name of which that made Ven curse. The bullrougher landed charging across the land at a fast speed in random patterns while Sora and Van both gained up some height, their wings flapping hard. Soon enough they had 'tripped' one the dragons off and it came bursting out of the ground with a roar. It was a Driller Dragon.

Van grinned and dived, the boy's attention all on Seifer that he didn't notice the dragon flying for him from above. And the reason his dragon was called a Death Diver was all too clear when, as it's wings fanned out and the edges gleamed like the razor sharp edges of swords he went in for the kill.

Seifer didn't wait to see the outcome still moving - and soon enough another dragon surfaced. He hesitated for only a moment before he pulled his wait down and down they went, feeling the hair of his head pull. "Rissy, Own!" Iris opened her mouth and shot her flame catching the blue dragon's snout. It was long and snake-like and he recognized the Steam-Dragon just as blue eyes turned and spotted him and the woman atop it gave a yell. He just barely managed to miss the steaming water that came flying out for him, the heat of it making his skin prickle. It was important to get rid of this dragon's shot count though. And to keep her away from Axel whose coat of flame couldn't stand up to such an attack and, especially, Roxas. It Luxra got hit with it and her spark put out, they would lose their best chance at getting the tunnels destroyed since the zippleback with their exploding flame bursts were there 'grenade' so to speak.
But moreso, he just didn't want her to hurt his family. He growled and pulled Iris around, charging back for her and hoping to keep her attention on him as the other's passed.


The third Seifer found was the Skullion - the leader of them. He was ground-bound and for the sky flyer's didn't seem like really a threat, but Seifer, who had the scar to prove this dragon knew how to jump, was wise to know not to overlook him. Another roar filled the sky - the murderous was on their trial again.

[Rikugurl]

From afar, blue crystal eyes watched the beginning of the raid, having a hard time even watching. He heard the cries of the dragons when they were hit even from far away and it chilled his very bones. Sora was there, somewhere, he and Iris fighting for their people. Or was it really? Was this raid all about trying to halt the other people from reaching the Crater? Not like they would get very far either with all the magic Divine surrounded it with. He gave a sigh and finally, Riku pried himself away, letting the white curtains fall over the scene.


The Unbroken redhead soared down across the sand, just 20 feet from the surface, dangerously close if a dragon emerged from the sand, and gave the order. "Urnb ti." A wave of the hottest fire known to man shot down towards the ground, melting the sand instantly. It wasn't the sand he was trying to melt but the rocks hidden below because some of them---
Explosions erupted from the dust and dirt, sending debris into the air that became stagnant in the heat. Rock could explode like hand grenades and as he made his trail, the ground slowly started to cave in, knowing that a tunnel was just below. He flew in the line of the air holes, having Xiu breath fire over them to melt the metal, making the tubes sticking out for oxygen cave in.

He continued his flight but like always, someone caught on and sure enough, a large dragon sprouted behind him and took flight instantly after him. Green eyes shock back for only a moment, catching the tanned, overly muscles rider on the bulky dragon. "PU!" Axel yelled, the Nightmare pulling up easily, the Chaser right on their heels. Xiu flapped his wings hard and raced towards the sun, easily blinding the Chaser below who wasn't so use to the sunlight. Now somewhat disoriented, the tanned man couldn't call an order when the Nightmare made a sharp upside down loop, staring straight down into the ugly mug of the dragon. "ACKETJ!" Suddenly the whole dragon lit up in flames, rider and all. Axel hissed some at the licks of fire against his skin but gave a war cry as they shot down right into the other.

There was a horrid screech coming from the Chaser's dragon along with the rider as the flames engulfed them, Xiu sinking his claws trough the roughly scaled skin. Just before they both crashed into the sandy ground below, large wings pulled out, the flames blowing away and bloody talons pulled from the skin. With the force of wind hitting the larger dragon from the Nightmare lifting off, the man and dragon rocketed into the ground, the fire still around them making rocks explode.


Hearing the great roar behind him, Ventus looked back, seeing the massive creature catching up and catching up quick. He cursed under his breath, wishing that his dragon wasn't the fastest of their people. It was going to be difficult trying to keep the Murderous distracted to keep his people safe and try to kill Vanitas. Unfortunately for his people, Ven needed his brother dead more. "UICKQ!" He called and like lightning, Verrill was off, gliding after Van who was dive bombing a driller. He could hear the drill on the dragon's face as he whizzed by, seeing that they weren't going to back down from the Death Diver. The only weapon the Driller had was its drill so it had to go head to head.

Well, if it had a head.
Blood splattered across the sand as the wings folded down on the beast, cutting it's neck off in one clean shot. Van didn't pull up though but continued to barrel down into the dragon and the rider, who was screaming now as they crashed into the ground and through it, landing in the tunnels below.

"UGH!" Ven hissed and turned his attention to the nearest treat. The Steamer. "INEL PU!" He called, knowing that using fire on this dragon was useless. So, instead, he aimed his shooter at the dragon who was still spraying water about and fired. Sharp scrap metal flew through the air, smashing into the serpent hard. As he was doing this, more of his inventions were being used, the other Flyers kicking the switch to drop large boulders from their dragon's stomach. They flew down, smashing hard into the ground and as more and more built up, the tunnels below began to cave in.

[Reno]

"REGOLE!" Aqua cried over all the noise around her, seeing her dragon's mouth get slammed shut. The enemy she was facing - and had been trying to knock down but his mood dragon had good maneuverability and excellent camouflage that made her seem like a mirage - saw it too. He gripped the reigns of his dragon and whirled around, flying right towards her.

"Iris, etg eadyr!" Sora said, holding her tight, his body low over her as they went flying straight for the rider ready to take him down. Until he turned to him, blue eyes wide and - "A omanw?" Sora questioned and all he could see was his mother in her eyes. The unsettling feeling in his gut, the one that came with the idea of killing someone in battle, became unbearable. She was a mother. He knew it - could tell somehow in a way he couldn't explain. Maybe it was the fear in her - the one that said she was leaving something precious behind, that had him grabbing Iris' reigns and yelling, "Ownd!"

He flew right under the snakeish dragon, one that mimicked his own except much larger and silently hoped no one noticed what he did. He was doing a lot of treasonous things lately...

Luckily, he didn't have long to ponder because someone else was coming for the water dragon. He didn't realize, until the tail slammed into Iris and they went flying out of the sky like the shooting stars in the fairytales his mother used to tell him, that he was on her side. He felt pain when he hit the ground, then nothing as he blacked out seconds later.

"Aqua!" Terra called, his dragon finding it of little effort to bite off the ropes around her mouth, getting her free. "You alright?!"
"F-Fine!" Aqua called back, her eyes looking over his shoulder, to the young boy now on the ground - and not moving. Something in her twinged with a bit of sadness. His mercy... would be his death.
"Go after the nightmare. I'll clean up." The brunette said a bit darkly, before her was about-facing and swooping for the ground.

A battle away, Van winced suddenly, violently - and not from what he had done. He took a pause, his eyes sweeping about the field and cursed violently when he spotted him in the sand, on the ground with a bright purple dragon yelping at him and another, more dark beast, looming towards them. "Shit... SHIT!" He pushing Keir towards him.
"You know, sometimes, I hate that we look alike! It makes it so hard to be myself!" He had told him countless times.

...But that didn't mean he wanted him to die.


Another boy winced, glancing over his shoulder, blonde spikes whipping around and seeing the mess of battle behind him. Two Landchasers were already down - and he could see the Skullion and Seifer going at it, and could see Axel ripping up the tunnels and - that water serpent! He saw a stream of bubbling hot water catch the side of Xiu's wing before looking away and saw Ven and Van both flying towards that Murderous... and Sora on the ground. The color of flame reflected in his eyes and he could feel the heat all around him.

He looked away and just tried to block it out. Glanced at his father who was flanking him as if trying to keep him safe and his throat choked up, wondering how he was going to feel when he found out Sora was dead.

Then he didn't think at all because suddenly a dragons that wasn't there before was now there. He saw the rider on top - saw his scars and one eye covered up. They had to be getting close to the tunnel now - the Landchasers didn't have many more people left!


"Keir! Rotectp imh!" Van cried grabbing onto the reigns and they did what they did best - they dived. Dived against a stream of fire that suddenly shot down and for his brother and Van jumped, went swinging off of his neck and onto his underbelly as they hit the ground, the black dragon covering them up as the fire hit onto his back. Sweat rolled down from his forehead under the heat, his reigns fell into the dusty sand, charred up and when the fire was gone he could hear yelling and fighting above and knew it was Ven.
He ignored that for now and hurried to his sibling, kneeling over him. It was a miraculous miracle as, when he bent over him, he could hear him breathing. Hell, was a miracle he hit a part of ground that was solid. "Etg imh omeh!" He snapped to Sora's dragon and only watched momentarily as she curled her claws into his clothes and went flying off, back for the ruins. He jumped on Keir again, no longer having anything to hold onto, and just gripped some of his spikes on his neck. "Lyf!"

[Rikugurl]

The Nightmare cried in sheer pain as the hot, boiling water scorched his wing, making it weak and numb for a moment but he quickly blew a hot sheet of fire over it, getting the feeling back in seconds. Axel looked back, seeing the dragon who had spit the first and growled, knowing that if she landed a better shot, Xiu and he would be done for. Knowing that, he knew he had to fall back. "Xiu, etsl og omeh own!" He called, the dragon pulling one wing up and they took a sharp turn. Just as he though he was clear to head home, another blast of water came shooting across the sky towards him, this one larger and more powerful. And it almost hit the redhead dead on. Instead, it flew by him, though it did it's job. The Unbroken screamed in pure agony as the skin on his back melted off, his muscles quickly exposed and burned instantly from the sun. His waist too was hit, the skin and muscle burning away.

Xiu shot out a stream of fire towards the serpent, knowing that it wouldn't harm it at all but it might protect them from the water. As they flew by, Axel holding onto the sharp horns of his dragon's back with the last bit of strength he had left, Xiu cloaked himself in fire and flew off, knowing he was much faster than the land serpent. When they were far enough away, the fire went out and he flew steady back to the ruins, his master now limp against his back.


"ROXAS!" Jet called as a fire rocket came whizzing between them. They broke up and flew around the Chaser, trying to make him pick which one to go after. However, when they reared back to face the scarred man, he was gone. Jet looked around, a little confused but knew better not to stop flying. He looked down, trying to see if the man had dropped to confuse them but he was nowhere to be found. With all the dust and dirt flying around now, it had hard to catch sight of much. Within an instant though, Jet caught the sight of something large pass by and then heard the crackling of lightning, hearing Roxas cry out. The leader of the Flyers looked out, seeing the Zippleback set out it's gas out into the sky at nothing at all, his son holding onto his arm.

That was when Jet realized just what dragon that one eyed man had. "TEALTHS RAG--" He was in mid scream when it happened. Shee, his beloved Exterminator, one of the only dragons known to be able to battle a Murder without instant death, roared out in pain as one of her wings were bitten clean off.

Instantly, she started to fall down towards the sands, her balance gone and her grace dead. "ROXAS!" The man called for his son, knowing he was nearby. Shee wasn't going to make it but he wasn't ready to leave his lover and four children behind.


Blue wild eyes stared down at the scene that his twin had made, something heroic and brave. He.... he would had risked his life to save Sora? But.... but.... had no issues.... no faults..... about raping him almost every night? Hate burned in his heart and he cursed, Verrill taking control of the situation as he continued to shoot fast, precise flames of blue at the Murderous, seeing the sparks crackle over the dark scales. When Vanitas was up and back off towards another battle, Ven kicked his dragon in the side to catch his attention. "Ollowf!" He ordered and the Fury effortlessly flew from the Murder's clutches after the Death diver and rider.

They were now low to the ground, the sand around them flying, some rocks hitting his thin body but he didn't care. They were lined up perfectly now and the blonde pushed his food down, feeling the trigger to the spear shooter against his heel. He kicked it down, the machine he invented pulled a spear into the canister, ready to shoot out. "henw I ith, ullp pu." He said calmly, running his hand over the sleek black scales. He moved his foot a little further, feeling a large button ready to be pressed. He knew once he hit it, that spear was going to shoot out faster that the human eye and impale his brother, killing him dead. After all the years of being raped and staring death in the face... it would be over.

The blonde was about to slam his foot into the button hard when suddenly, something large popped up from the sands between him and his brother, catching Ven of guard. The moment was still in his mind though and instantly, his foot hit, sending the spear through the air and like he had pictures, just slightly different, the spear hit the newly emerged dragon's belly, ripping right through its body. Spiral eyes widened when he realized what he just did, hearing the dark purple dragon before him gargle in its own blood, falling back down towards the hole it had come from. What really caught his eye though was the rider, his hair a blue. He knew the impact wouldn't kill the Chaser and he couldn't, as a Flyer, let him run off.

"OWND!" He called, Verrill pushing his wings in to bring them into a dive. There was a loud roar behind them, Ventus knowing that the Murderous was catching up and he had to be quick. "LUSHF!" And like that, the Fury pressed himself against the dying dragon, the two falling to the ground. Ven was now staring the Chaser in the face, snatching his dagger from one of his multiple rags and gabbed it clear into the Landchaser's suprasternal notch. Blood sprayed everywhere, across Ven's covered face and goggles as the Chaser too gargled on his own blood, his lungs drowning in it, as hands gripped his own. Together, they landed hard against the sand, the two rolling off into the heated ground and there, Ventus kept the dagger jammed into the other until he saw the life gone in the other man's eyes.

There was another roar above and the dagger was pulled from the body, the Flyer quickly getting back onto Verrill and together, they flew back up into the burning sky. It was time to head back home...

[Reno]

"ADD!" Roxas screamed, kicking his heels in and went shooting down for his father and his trusty dragon... who was going to die tonight. But he wouldn't lose him too! "Umpj no!" Luxra stretched her neck out far allowing for the man to jump from his dragon and onto his, finding a seat quickly. Roxas checked to make sure he was alright, trying to ignore the burning pain radiating from his arm all the way up to his shoulder in little burning sparks that threatened for him to pass out.

He shook his head, knowing that Stealth was still close and wouldn't wait for them to recover before attacking. "LUX, NYX, COVER YOUR EARS!" The two dragons, who had arms long enough to do so, quickly covering one ear each and smashed their heads together. Roxas took a breath, then started to yell out his song. He ordered the dragon to stop and give a cry.

When he heard the roar - not too far off, he continued to sing, kicking in his heels to tell his own to start flying away. The tunnel was somewhere, still standing, but he knew with the way his vision was wavering, he wouldn't be able to keep up long enough to destroy it - they needed to get home. He forgot, however, that one dragon didn't have ears. Wouldn't fall to his song. And his voice choked off into a gasp when the purple and black dragon pounced up for him, so close he could see the red eyes of the rider.

And then Seifer was there, his bullrougher Hyperion smashing into the Landchaser leader's dragon and down they went. The skullion, only winded from the blow, struck out and caught the other dragon in his side. They hit the ground and tumbled.

The last thing Roxas saw was Hyperion trying to stumble back to his feet and the Skullion striking out, catching not the dragon but the rider, the long claw going straight through his chest. His eyes widened and he looked away, his body quivering as they flew faster and faster. He didn't know when Van joined nearby. The only thing he really knew next was landing in the grand hall where the others decided to meet up. He went slipping off of Nyxyin, his legs shaking so bad he wasn't sure how long they'd hold him up.

The first thing he was aware of was Iris her colors that of fear, and it made him yell, "Where's Sora?!" Someone - his mother he thought - said his name.
Then next thing he noticed was the blood. Smears of it across the ground. He followed it with his eyes to the other side of the room. And he saw him, bloody, barely himself anymore. Oh god, Axel?

He felt woozy and sick and in immense pain, his body swaying suddenly. And he tipped over, falling. He heard someone yell his name and wondered who caught him - if it was Van or his dad and didn't really care because everything went dark.


Terra only knew to follow - heard the sound of Atteris' wings beating hard as they flew down as fast as they could. But no matter how fast he went, it wasn't fast enough. Not fast enough to stop the dagger from going into his love's throat and not fast enough to even hope to stop the bleeding before he was gone. "IEEEEENZOOOOO!" He screamed. His dragon landed on the ground with a quake under his paws it was so heavy and he hardly took notice of the Sky Flyer leaving. He only saw his lover, on the sand and blood all around. "Ienzo!" He cried gripping onto him, shaking him, yelling his name again and again.

And that was how Aqua found them as she headed back as the death diver and her battle ended - both of them ironically at the bottom of their shot counts after the fierce battle. They knew better than to keep it up. "Terra!" She called, but he didn't respond - just kept yelling for his love, 'Ienzo please! Don't do this to me!!!'. It was so painful to watch, she almost didn't want to tear them apart.

Hatori had no such qualms, having his dragon come over and jumped down, tearing Terra away, ignoring the way he screamed 'NO!'
"To the den!" Hatori ordered his few people left, dragging his son to Atteris, "Take him home!"
Aqua watched the two depart, before she was quick to jump atop Regole and follow. They met back in the den and Aqua sighed in relief at the sight of her husband, unharmed for once. The second joy was hearing 'Mommy!' and see her little son come running. "Oh Caleb..." She whispered, picking him up and holding him close. The next moment, she felt arms wrapping around them both and it made her smile.

And silently, she thanked the stupid Skyflyer for sparing her because nothing beat this moment.

Her eyes opened though when she heard yelling.
"Let me go back up!" Terra's voice was so hoarse it made her wince just listening.
"No!" Hatori snapped. "There is nothing to be done for it!"
"YES THERE IS! I can't leave him there. I won't. I LOVE HI-"
Smack! Hatori slapped his son across the face. There was silence in the wake of everything for just a few moments as Terra stood there, trembling. "He's dead Terra." Hatori said slowly, clearly. "He's never coming back. Accept it so you can move on."

The brunette she had befriended so many years ago stood there for some time before he slowly shook his head. "No..." Then he turned and ran out of the den.


His lungs, his ribs, his heart was screaming too him as he ran all the way through the tunnels, some broken and some not, all the way back to his room. And then, not knowing why he was there or what else to do, just started to pick up the books, stacking them up nice and neat just like Ienzo liked. He was shaking and didn't know why. His vision was blurring and he couldn't explain it. He found the last book and looked at his work. Fixed them again so they were alphabetical by title. Fixed them again so it was by author next. Didn't know what to do with the books that had no names at all. Rearranged them into something random. Fixed a few that weren't lined up.

Then stopped and stared.

"He's dead Terra."

His hand came up and slammed into the books, the tower falling down all over the floor again. "No!" He yelled and his fist swung out - hit the wall hard enough to bruise his knuckles and rip at the skin. He fell to his knees, curling up there against the wall, gripping his hair and screaming until his voice went out.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

And then Terra just cried until he couldn't anymore too.

[Rikugurl]

It was a rough night, for both the Skyflyers and Landchasers. Though the Flyers didn't lose as many men as the Chasers, only losing one in the entire battle, it was a life missed, especially from his lover. She cried so, holding onto one of his riding suits, her tears soaking through. They were a young couple and were trying for a baby for years, the woman, known as Olette, wasn't able to bear one. Perhaps it was because of the scarce amount of food at weeks at a time, or maybe she just couldn't due to the levels of radiation in her. Whatever the cause was, she didn't want to give up, knowing that they had to make children for their people's future. Now, without Seifer, her dreams died with him.

As for Sora and Roxas, their mother and father were at their side. Fresh, clean water thanks to the shifter, was run up and down the tanned boy by a cloth, trying to cool his body down to a normal temperature. Runa knew that if she didn't get her son's body heat down, he would die of a heat stroke.
Next to her, Roxas's arm was being massaged, some of the skin darkened from the burn. Stealths could shoot lightning from their fingers, which was what the blonde warrior was hit with. The leader couldn't help but think of his dragon, who he had since he was a little boy. It wasn't just his dragon but his friend. Seeing how quick and effortlessly that Stealth brought him down, made him realize how much stronger the Chasers had gotten.

The Flyers may have speed but their overall power was still outmatched. He didn't know the report of the battle, knowing he would get it when his two sons were up and awake.
Just as the thought through his head, he looked down, hearing a groan, seeing the blonde's eyes open. "Hey Rox..." He spoke softly, running his hand over the boy's forehead. "You saved my life..."


Miles away, underground, the Chasers retired early, knowing much work was needing to be done. They only gathered for a moment, the death tally being three. Hayner and his Driller Dragon, the worst death they could have imagined since both were the head of the tunneling, Raijin and his dragon and of course... He who shall not be named.
Now, two of the survivors laid there, in their bed, nude under the covers but still. The bluette had her head resting on a scared, strong arm, her body flushed against the other's who was laying on his back, his single eye staring at the ceiling in thought.

She had told him, just a moment ago, about the Flyer who could have attacked her, but didn't. Just the thought that Aqua could have been possibly killed didn't settle well with the older man. The thought of 'Making more babies' per his brother didn't settle very well either. They couldn't possibly make up what they lost today. Their pride, in a way, was hit hard. "Why do you think he did it?" He asked, wishing he had his other eye so he could glance at his son who was sleeping in a much smaller bed on the other side of their den.


In another den, a woman walked up the steep entrance, all dens made this way due to the mud and human waste that collected in the tunnels. She peered in, seeing her son sitting, hunched up in a ball, surrounded by books. "Terra?" She called in, his name echoing in the large space. The frail woman stepped in, carefully walking around and over the various books. "Terra... I am so sorry..."

[Reno]

Blue eyes blinked slowly, slowly gaining his bearings to his surroundings. He swallowed a few times, then rasped quietly, his voice weak from his singing, "You would have done the same for me dad." He still hurt, but it was sort of a numb pain, something he could ignore for now.

His eyes rolled then, hearing labored breathing nearby, and spotted Sora, his mother leaning over him, running a cloth over his chest. Though when she caught him looking she gave him a shaky smile. "Is... he okay...?"
"Is we get his temperature down." Runa responded with another smile.
"W...Will we?"
She shook her head. "You know Sora, he's a little fighter."
Roxas blinked slowly, then sighed and looked up at his dad again.


"I dunno..." Aqua mumbled, twirling a strand of her lover's hair idly through her finger. "He was young. Younger than me. Maybe it was just nerves of killing someone." She glanced up at him and sighed, "Whatever the reason, I'm glad for it though."

She grinned then, teasing "Because really you can't even put on your eye patch without me!"


Slowly, a head tilted towards the voice calling for him, the boys eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot and his face lost of all color. But it was his expression that was truly heart-wrenching, because it was so young and lost and hurt. "Why..." He whispered, his voice barely there, "Couldn't I go with him?"

[Rikugurl]

Jet's hand ran through Roxas's hair again, his other hand rubbing circles in his son's arm. "Rest now, you'll need your strength. Our hunter may not make it to dawn so it will be all up to you now. You've done good, my son. I am proud of you and your brothers. You are true heroes of the Skyflyers..."

A black dragon growled when a figure walked around the ragged cloth of the room, the cat-like eyes piercing the black haired man who welcomed himself in. Ventus was on the other side of the room, his back turned away but he knew from the sound of Verrill, that Vanitas was in his room. He had hoped, prayed to Divine all morning that he would be able to strike down this man who haunted him so and like all prayers before, it was never answered. He killed a Chaser and helped his people advance but his own misery was still his. "Why do you do this Van? You save the man who 'stole' your identity but here you are in my room, surly about to continue making my life a living hell."


"I do not!" The man laughed, growling playfully and he rolled over on top of the woman, kissing her deeply, his long hair falling over them, making the world black. When he pulled away, he pushed his hair back with a strong hand, peering down at the younger woman, nearly half his age, with his single eye. "And if I lost you, who would nag at me?" He chuckled, his sharp canine's flashing. He leaned down, kissing the woman's neck softly, nuzzling his nose against her cheek and taking a deep breath of her scent. Now, in this position, he could see his son sleeping peacefully with the Terror by his side. "We have a lot to thank Divine for..."


"Terra..." The woman hushed, coming so his side and kneeling down next to him. She wrapped her arm around him, bringing him close to keep warm and to share comfort. "You mustn't think such things... there is never a guarantee that we will all make it out of a raid. I know... what you're going through. Losing someone you love isn't as easy as your father may think. He would feel the same way if I were to have died at the hands of a Flyer. But Terra.... he is gone and there is nothing you can do to bring him back. There is nothing you can do to change time. But, what you can do is keep living... for him... for your people. Those Skyflyers are cold blooded killers and with their new inventions, our people may be eating better but they are extraordinary dragon tamers. We need you, and Atteris... to show them that we won't fail again. You must go and reclaim Ienzo's honor. Hunt them down, Terra. It won't bring him back... but I guarantee it will make you feel better... if not for a little while."

She closed her eyes and smiled, kissing her son on the cheek and wiping his tears away. "Perhaps... when we reach the Crater... Divine will bring him back for you. I pray to her that she will bring back your brother, the one you never got to meet. He too was killed in a raid, younger than Caleb.... all because of those Skyflyers.

[Reno]

There was a slow shake of Roxas head, the boy sighing softly. "Axel'll... be fine dad." His eyes lidded some, sighing out softly. "Bastard won't... let me get outta training that easy..."
He heard a soft bell of laughter from his mother before he fell back asleep.

"I do what I do to you for the same reason I saved Sora." Van said as if it should be an obvious thing. He came close to his brother, his fingertips running alongside his cheek and purred in his ear. "I love you."


Blue eyes flickered to the boy as well, sighing softly and nodding, "We truly are..." She was silent for a few more moments, then said softly, "It might sound cruel to you perhaps, but I wish we could gain her favor, if not for our sake, for his. This life..." Her lips turned down, thinking of the three they had lost just today. The pain in her old friend's eyes as the one precious thing to him was torn away from in but an instant. "This isn't the way life should be is it? There had to of been something good before."
"There's something good now."
Aqua blinked slowly and looked at him about to ask him what he meant. But the way he was looking at her told her her answer. "Oh Xig..." She leaned up and kissed him.


There was no answer to his mother's words, but the man who seemed more like a boy at that moment, curled up to her as he used to when he was extremely little and the sounds of the howling wind in the tunnels used to sound like frightful things that his mind conjured up as monsters and evil things.

He allowed her to lead him to his bed, curling up into it. When she was gone his hand curled up in the blankets on the bed and brought them close, sniffing in the scent of his lover that still laid thick there.


Terra didn't move for a long time from that spot. He slept restlessly and his stomach growled at times. On the second night he fell to sleep and dreamed of a time long ago, back when he and the other an were just developing a liking for each other. He was walking down the tunnels with Ienzo, spying over his shoulder as the periwinkle haired man read.
"Terra you're not advanced enough to understand this yet." Ienzo laughed.
"Not true! That's the!" He said pointedly, his grubby finger knocking at the word. He also clumsily ended up toppling over his own feet and into the slighter man and down they went. The book scraped off somewhere and for a moment they just laid there groaning. Then Terra shifted.
"Terra?" Came the other's higher tenured voice that made the brunette blink.
"Yeah Ienzo?"
"Can you move your knee?"
"Huh...?" Terra looked down, seeing his knee was now pressed up against the man's - oh. "Uh, s-sorry!" He shifted away, brushing himself off and helping the other up, noticing how cute he was with his cheeks pinkened like that. He looked around, finding the book and brushing off the pages and holding it out to him with a big grin that at the time was probably goofy as hell.
"You're an oaf sometimes." The other said only semi-playfully. He reached out for the book-

And then everything went to hell as the ceiling above them exploded and the Night Fury was there, the blonde atop him grinning maniacal as he swooped down. There was a gleam of metal, a slicing motion, blood everything-
"No!!" Terra sat up sweat clinging to his skin as he looked around, panting at his empty home.

Well, not empty. Atteris was there, his large body laying nearby and watching him. An image flashed behind his eyes, seeing himself, holding Ienzo, screaming and crying. Then he saw the boy, blonde hair swirled up like devil horn's.
'He hurt you.'
'Yes...'
'What will you do about it?'
'......................' Terra stood up, his legs a bit weak as he paced the floor of his room from one end to the other for no real purpose other than to move. For a while it was silent. Then-
'Terra?'
He turned to his dragon, stared at him for a long time, then asked, "What would you do?"

He'd never seen such a terrible smile grow on his dragon's face before.

[Rikugurl]

"W-wha!" The call of a little boy echoed through the tunnel as he backed away, a large dragon coming from the den he was headed into. It was the Murderous and out of all the Chasers in the clan, Caleb was the least scared of him. Some said he was brave, others said he was stupid. When he turned his neck up to see the rider on top he waved. "COUS TERRA!?" He cried, getting the man's attention. The dragon stopped and blue eyes bared down on him, his eyes the same color as the child's. The little Terror was hiding behind the boy's legs, frightened with the way the Murder was looking at it, knowing well enough that larger dragons fed on its kind.

"Where you goin?" Caleb asked, wondering why his cousin was leaving the den so late at night. "Daddy said to check on you because he's busy with mommy. Can I come?"


Up in the ruins, the sound of rags fluttering caught the attention of the Nightmare, the exotic, rather frustrated dragon glaring at the blonde who walked into the room without permission. He shuffled towards the young warrior, giving him a warning growl but blinked when a pale hand pressed against his snout. He continued to growl, though he halted, watching the blonde walked across the room to the bed where the redhead laid on his stomach, his face turned towards the wall. Roxas could see the scorched skin, showing nothing but chard skin and muscle across it.


In another room, another set of rags pushed away, the second eldest twin walking into the room, being greeted warmly by Iris who gave a weary look back at the brunette who was in bed. A few buckets of water laid at the foot, easily accessible for the brunette. Ventus walked over, kneeling down next to his brother, giving him a smile. "How are you feeling?" Blue eyes opened and looked up at him, seeing a small smile on his brother's face. He knew Sora's throat was still dry but the smile gave him hope. "Get some rest, huh?" The pulled some brunette locks from the tanned forehead and got back up, looking around the room and when he spotted the shifter he had made just a few days ago, he grabbed it and started loosening the straps. "I'll get the metal until you get back on your feet." His voice was soft and a little thankful. Now that he was out doing Sora's job, he could get away from Van.

The rags were opened to the outside, the colder night air filling the room. There, he saw Verrill waiting for him and carefully, Ven strapped him up and hopped on, saying his goodbyes before lifting off. Luckily for him, Verrill was jet black, allowing him to soar through the air unseen. Or at least, that's what he thought...

[Reno]

"No Caleb, you can't come." The voice of the brunette was unnaturally cold and careless, the brunette looking away. He allowed for a spark of annoyance at his uncle thinking he could just pawn his son off on him whenever he liked, but shook it off quickly. "Go look at the picture books until I get back, alright?"


Blue eyes glanced at the Nightmare but for the most part paid him no heed. Instead he crouched down beside Axel, looking over him in both concern and curiosity. The wound was grotesque looking, the welts so red and inflamed it nearly matched the color of the man's hair. He didn't want to think of how much it hurt.

As for himself, he was still hurting too, but thanks to his father's diligent work he wouldn't lose mobility of it. Even still, he reached out with his good arm, brushing some of the red strands back and away from the man's turned away face. "I just came to see how you were doing." He mumbled softly, unsure if Axel could even speak.


Low in the dunes, hidden like a dark shadow, gold eyes watched the form of a dragon fly out across the sky. 'There he is.'
"Let's get him." Terra hissed gripping onto the reigns and pulling at them, but when nothing happened he snapped. "What are you waiting for?!"
'Just watch.'


The brunette in bed was silent as he watched his brother leave, marveling at his strange bit of joy. Perhaps he was just simply happy they all lived through that battle. He sighed his eyes lidded some before glanced towards his dragon, his arm lifted and waving her over. She gave a curious chirp and trotted to his side, nuzzling his face. He reached up grabbing her horn to keep her near, his voice barely a whisper as he said, "Find Riku." Rose-colored eyes blinked then she whimpered. "Needs to know... I'm okay..."

Iris pulled away giving a trilling growl but nodded. She stepped away, giving an uneasy glance back at him, not wishing to leave him unprotected in such a vulnerable state, but finally sighed and ducked out of his room into the world beyond.


Terra glanced down at the dragon when he tilted his head and followed his gaze, spotting to smaller dragon fluttering in the sky and heading off in another direction.
'You see? We can't be spotted if we are to do this.'
"Why not? You're a Murderous! You can take on anything!"
'True. But we need the boy alive and unnecessary distraction can but his life at risk. Then you truly won't find any peace." The dragon paused then continued, 'We'll watch him a few days. Mammals are creatures of habit, even your kind. Once we have his routine and know when the others will not even be aware of his absence without it being too late, we will take him."
Terra ground his teeth, before nodding.

[Rikugurl]

OOC: Won't be on tonight. It reached 104 and our AC broke! I'm just going to head home and sleep x-x


When the warrior didn't reply, Roxas could guess that he was alseep or too much in pain to speak. His breathing was shallow and harsh and he could see the blood soaked rags that were cleaned the best one could before it was applied.
The rags to the room fluttered again and Xiu growled once more, making Roxas look back to see a dirty yet pretty young gril. "Evening, Rox." She welcomed, slowly walking over to his side, a bucket in her hand with fresh water and clean rags. "Are you feeling better?" When she saw the nod, she smile and pardoned him, trying to get closer to the redhead.

"I hate to say this but... your father said that Axel wouldn't make it." Her voice was soft, hesitantly reaching out and prying the dirty rags from the man, skin easily sticking onto it, ripping it slightly. Roxas was about to make a comment that the hunter was too strong but when he saw just what the rags were covering, that optimism was stuck in his throat. There was a large burn against the man's side, the skin burned off all the way to the man's abdomen. There, he saw something quivering inside, something round and sponge-like. Roxas had to cover his mouth and look away before his stomach came up.

If he were to know his anatomy, he would know that it was a piece of the man's intestine that was exposed from the burn. And if he had known that if it wasn't for the amount of radiation in their world which mutated their cells, Axel would have been dead by now and the wound wouldn't be trying to heal.


Days went by, the nights growing colder and Sora was able to sit up now. Lilo no longer took care of the hunter, but Roxas instead, bringing the water and clothes, soaking the areas that needed to keep clean. It was unfortunate though, in a sense, for Axel because the scabs and dead skin still around his burns needed to be taken off, the only sign of life still left in him were the horrible, heart-wrenching screams that came from his tower when Roxas had to skin his back with a sharp blade to help the newly grown skin come in.

As for Ventus, he continued to fly every night out into the black sands, gathering the small bits of metal and scraping from the dead dragons and Chasers. He would watched as Iris would headed off towards the Crator too, wondering just what she was doing as her colors changed when she grew closer.
He sighed, feeling Verrill pause in his flight and knew it was time to pull the Sand Shifter up to drain and put what scraps he found into the pouch. As he was doing so, he nearly fell off when the Fury moved suddenly, his head looking back and forth. "Ha, hatw si ti?"

[Reno]

There was a soft sigh the sound of sloshing and creaking of metal against metal filling the cavern, the blonde checking it under the light of the torch. he dumped the water into the bucket than back into the shifter until it came out as clear as it could. It was still a little cloudy, but little could be done for that. Compared to the muck it came up as, he felt successful. He stood, legs shaking a little bit under the weight of the water and his own exhaustion, before he climbed onto the dual headed dragon, clicking his tongue.

The dragons flew out carefully, knowing their master had a short temper if he spilled even a drop and climbed carefully up to Axel's tower. A growl greeted them but Roxas just gave the nightmare a stare that made him shuffle back before passing by to where the man was. He looked down at him, then to the bandages he had wrapped the wound in. Was it his imagination, or was their less blood?

He found the metal cup and filled it, maneuvering close to the other, tilting his head up to get some of the water down his throat. It was a bit tricky to do this without turning him over or without making him choke, but prevented dehydration was a must in their living conditions.

He laid Axel's head back down, brushing back the hair, and silently wondered if this was worth it. When - or moreso, if - Axel survived, would he even appreciate it? Was it even right to put him through such pain? And how much longer could he keep it up anyways? They had had food for a little while - the remains from the battle. They had managed to snag two dragon and two human carcasses, so both they and their steeds had had something to eat. For the dragons, they still had meat.

But eventually, he would have to set out again. To hunt for his people. He knew Lilo could take care of Axel... but for some reason he couldn't wrap his mind around the idea she could do as satisfactory job as him. Which was silly, since she probably knew more than he. Perhaps he was simply stubborn. Or as protective as Xiu.


Rose-colored eyes swept over the crater as she flew close and against the barrier, before she gave a chirp at spotting some silver hair. Her fast beating wings shot down and she landed in the sand. Just two feet away, close enough to touch but impossible to reach, were little lashes of green. She gave a purr of greeting to the short-haired Divine on the other end, but bowed her head a little bit, because of course Sora was again not with her.
At first it had been a struggle to communicate with this man. She could only answer yes or no questions since the most she could do for him was nod or shake her head. But once they had that established, it was simple really.

With Sora it was easier though. He may not speak her language, but he still had an uncanny sense of understanding with her, just like their emotions were sometimes tied together. Dragon-bonding, it was called. It was an old tale the elder dragons told her when she was still a hatchling. That every dragon had a rider connected to their hearts; the one who was meant for them. She knew Sora was that person to her.


"Down!" Another black dragon hissed, backing up into a hole in the ground until barely his head was popping out of it. He felt fingers digging into his scales as the male he was bonded with climbed up to his head to look out towards the form of the Fury haltingly fluttering just a few scant inches from the sand and so very close to them even. Not even a full mile - they could make up the land in seconds.

But just as he thought that they where suddenly up and in the air as high as they could go. The whining of alarms in the distance faded in his ears. "What was that?"

"It either spotted or heard danger. Perhaps us." Atteris responded, golden eyes following the other dragon, his lips licking. "Very acute sense it has. We'll have to remember that when we capture them."
"When will we capture them?" Terra said, his patience running thin.
"Soon." The other practically purred with glee.

[Rikugurl]

The Nightmare huffed again, blowing out small sparks of flame that sizzled on the brick floor. He was in no mood, his own patients growing as he hadn't flown let alone hunt in days. He knew that his rider was hurt and he couldn't leave him like this, their bond growing over the years. If Axel wasn't phased by the fire jacket, that meant that he was crazy enough to bear it. So, he sat there in the corner, watching the blonde do what he did every few hours. He noticed how the wounds were healing, slowly. It was still going to be a nasty sight but as long as he was able to get back to 95% of himself, it would be a miracle. And now, it slowly was becoming one when the blonde noticed those green eyes slowly open, the orbs moving around in the socket to look at his surroundings the best he could.

"Mmmmmmmmaaah...." Was a grown, the first sound Axel had made since the attack, or at least the first that anyone besides Xiu had.


"Hey girl..." The gentle man smile, looking out at the mood dragon. "Still no Sora...?" He watched as the dragon shook his head and frowned. Riku had been physically sick since the raid began and until Iris came to him the first night. He was frantic and worried but learned that Sora was alive, just... hurt somehow. Iris indicated that the man wasn't hit during the raid or had wounds and because they didn't speak the same language and even Yue couldn't understand, he was at a loss of what really happened to his newly found friend.
"I can't stand it anymore... take me with you... to see him." He said finally, seeing the dragon turn a color and gave him a shocked expression. Even Yue gave him a weary chirp when he turned to her and hopped onto her back.

"I need to see him. Maybe I can help. I'll be careful and unseen. I promise..."


The Fury gave a whine and without a say, started to fly off back towards the ruins. "Verrill!?" The blonde cried, nearly losing his invention along with everything else. He clung on though and sighed, putting some things away knowing that the Fury wouldn't go back out if he didn't think it was safe. Blue eyes looked back, seeing nothing but the darkness out there. What could have frightened him? When they came closer though, he sighed, knowing that Vanitas was bound to be waiting for him to return.