Chapter 1.4 Rain

Luke stood at the window, staring past the forest edge to the wasteland beyond. In the opposite direction, he could see the faint outlines of the city, it's crumbling grey walls rising against the dark sky. The center of the city was lit, grey stone buildings overshadowing the dark exterior. Shadows flickered above the buildings before disappearing into the night.

The rain obscured everything beyond the flickering lights. Centuries ago, the rain fell clear and clean, but after the eruptions, the atmosphere became far more toxic. Paired with the changing climate, when the toxic rain first began to fall, it destroyed many of the ecosystems, collapsing them into barren wastelands. With the help of some once hidden technology, barriers were created, allow cities to be formed under their protection. The barriers filtered the rain, removing some of the toxicity, but were often weakened in the process, so even barriered cities could be destroyed by the rain.

As the rain fell, Luke went into the room that Kaber had prepared and closed the door. He stood near the door and started with a quick look around, since he did not trust either Nick or Kaber. He then made a thorough search for any trace of hidden cameras or bugs but found none. Taking off his shoes, Luke sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Satisfied that with his search, Luke opened his left hand and stared at his palm for a while.

Luke was considered one of the best of his time, both an amazing fighter and a brilliant leader and strategist. But even he wasn't prepared for what happened. Luke had been a part of the Dragon gang before it was dissolved, and one of the few known survivors. Dragon gang was one of the most ruthless of all the gangs, but it was also the most revered.

Due to the loss of many of the world's species, the Crystal Order used genetic experiments to find ways to bring back species, should the time come. But besides experimenting for animals, the Crystal Order experimented on humans, and used members of Dragon gang as test subjects, but only if they were completely willing to do so.

Luke was one of these subjects. While he stared at his palm, a faint blue symbol for fire appeared. All of the human experiments had a brand like this, but whether or not they were visible was up to their owner. At the fall of the Dragon gang, those with symbols like Luke's were hunted down and killed or captured, depending on how dangerous they were deemed. Despite his reputation, Luke was left alive for the information that he had on the remaining survivors, including the one deemed the most dangerous.

There was only one person who had the warning "hide and pray they don't find you", and Luke wasn't it.

Luke closed his eyes and squeezed his hand shut, digging his nails into his palm, remembering the last time he'd seen anyone from Dragon. Flames lit the clouded sky, turning night to day, boots stamping along cobbled streets, and the cries of those unlucky enough to be caught.

Two girls ran by his side, barely more than children. The younger of the two was terrified and crying, clinging to a stuffed bear with a pink ribbon. The elder was guiding the younger though the streets, doing her best to soothe the crying girl.

A platoon of weapon carrying soldiers was following the three close behind and were gaining on them. After telling the girls to keep running, Luke spun around to face off against the soldiers. The elder girl said only "Live", before leading the younger away.

Luke's nails bit into the skin of his hand, reminding Luke of where he was. He opened his eyes and his hand and stared at the red crescents he'd left behind, before he sighed and slipped under the covers of his bed, to fall into a light sleep.