Murals

The transportation shuttle descended below the clouds. Although they had flown many times no one ever quite got used to the butterflies as the aircraft lost altitude. The descent is fast but smooth like an elevator descending down a high rise. It gradually slowed as it neared the ground.

They all exited the belly of the small circular housing compartment of the shuttle just outside of the city. The city was in complete ruins, they all looked in awe at the site of the destruction. A skyship lie crashed in the center of the ruins. Sadness swept across the group as they stared at the ruins, they remembered friends and acquaintances in the city who were not all were provided refuge at Hyylion. 

"How many lives have fallen here" Iona said as her voice broke.

"This may have been a merciful death in comparison to those who survived" Keonu replied his face unflinching but the sadness could still be detected in his eyes.

"Oro" Keanu called out.

"Please lend us your prayer for the fallen."

Oro was the Minister of faith and a member of the council of nine. He was generally completely shrouded unless he was preaching the gospel of dust. He was the eldest of the council at an age of 122.

A hologram of Oro emitted from Keonu's wristpad. 

"The destructive forces of will have besmirched these lands." Oro proclaimed in a prophetic tone.

"Fair journeys to those who transcend this mortal shell and return to dust, carry them throughout the cosmos where there may be reborn to a life of prosperity."

"Dear departed shed your worries and fears and be free of the mortal shackles that bound you and be invigorated by the stars beyond as you return to the dust and become one once again with the cosmos. Through death comes everlasting life"

" Through death comes everlasting life." the party responded in unison.

Tears trickled down Iona's face as she reflected on the prayer, she wished them a fair journey in the beyond.

"Do not cry my child, they are without pain now and will become part of something bigger in time, bid them fair travels on their next voyage."

Iona dried her tears and thanked Oro for his prayer for the departed. The projection dissipated after Oro prayed for their safety.

she looked at her brother with determination in her eyes. "I will begin my works at the top of this hill. It's the best vantage point of the city."

Halcie interrupted "Very well, I will leave Manic with you me and your brother need to check the city for resources and survivors." 

Iona nodded and proceeded up the hill while Manic trailed just behind her. She turned to Manic and asked "Did you fight in the war."

"No, my systems weren't online until the fall of the Vanguard, I wasn't designed for mass scale battles like the heavy arms, long rifle, and lightning strike models. I have combat capabilities but I'm more suited for assassination and avoiding detection."

Iona didn't know how to respond "He's so robotic she thought to herself."

"well this looks like a good spot." 

She set up a digital screen that looked like a picture frame and began to run her fingers across it. She began to cast the flowing mountains that seemed to wrap around and embrace the massive city. Surface waves cascaded across the knee high grass below her feet, she notices the blueing the grass is dull in comparison to how it was last summer. She wonders if it's due to the dying lovers or the winter. A small pack of Nado was perched up above the grass nearby.

Nado had long collapsible legs that looks like long, thin, accordions like, bamboo shoots. They would collapse their  legs to hide in the tall grass when predators approached. Their bodies were covered in grass like blades that created a natural ghillie suit. When all was clear Nado would extend their legs and perch up to sky to allow their foliage to absorb the sun's rays. Even the Nado's colors seemed to pale due to the recent temperature drops.

Iona was polishing off the finishing touches to her portrait, she added a monument into the picture as a tribute to the fallen. Although the monument wasn't physically there, she thought maybe someday she could come back and erect it. As she collapsed her digital canvas into a stick and placed it in her backpack.

Just as she began to strap on her bag she spotted something out of the corner of her eye.

Keonu and Halcie entered the city, it was dead silent. Although Halcie was initially exciting about being out with Keonu alone. She was not distracted as she was on alert due to the unlikely silence across the city. She removed a sword, the blade of the sword began to glow once it was removed. The blade was super heated to increase it's slicing ability. She pressed a button on the hilt that sent out a sonar pulse. The heads up display on her visor didn't pick up anything from the pulse. 

Keonu and Halcie continued forward they saw what appeared to be a silhouette of a person in the distance. They cautiously moved forward. As they moved forward they could see crimson red eyes piercing through the shadows. The figure got up and moved towards them.

"HALT! " Halcie bellowed.

"Little Halcie....Did you already forget me." An arrogant voice spoke from the shadows.

"Is that.....Azeri?" Halcie replied fearfully.

"Did you think your toys were enough to stop me?" Azeri stated menacingly. 

"Oh dear, did my dear brother think this was over."

Azeri stepped out of the shadows. Long red bangs draped down over a radiant snow white face. A wide grin grew on the face of an advancing Azeri.

" I said stay back" Halcie hissed as she charged with her sword leaped into the air with a somersault then slashing down with a fierce-some slash. Her blade appeared to go right through the neck of Azeri. Cackling maniacally and held his hand over his face and continued to pace about.

"Oh Halcie...How utterly pathetic. You're still as predictable as ever, how were you ever trusted as the Defense Secretary."

Halcie's face reddened with anger after hearing the words but she regained her composure. She activated her sonar again. 

"Azeri isn't actually here" She yelled to Keonu. 

"Finally catching on are you...well then I guess it's time for the next act." Azeri stated as the projection disappeared.

Halcie and Keonu heard a loud explosion in the distance back towards where the transport vessel was.

"IONA!" Keonu gasped.