“Today I die. Today I die. Today I die. Things have gone horribly wrong and I can't possibly survive this… those were the only thoughts going through my head. But at the same time I could hear my mother's voice. ‘You're a failure if this of all things does you in.’

‘Momma I can't!’ I cried.

‘There's always a way.’ She said. ‘Those eyes of yours can see everything. Search for your victory, grab it, and hold onto it like a lifeline. Don't let go because once you do you'll never stop falling.’

(«^») Iris Exurrana

8E/438Y/12M/40D 4:12 AM

Bullets riddled my shadowy body. I nearly collapsed from the sudden loss of blood aura. After a moment they stopped firing to reload.

And I took my chance. My blood aura was completely depleted. I was running on lunar aura alone but it would simply drain over time. Quickly too.

I needed to get out of that fucking ship.

The more damage I take the stronger I become. And so while they were reloading their weapons, I turned and lifted the gate open.

“ARGHHH!!!” I screamed as the effort only doubled the pain filling my body.

One inch.

It felt like my soul was on fire. Have you ever thought about what that would feel like? Imagine it. Just imagine having the core of your being lit aflame.

Five inches.

The guards were finishing reloading their weapons. I could hear the click clack of the metal as they put new magazines into their weapons.

Ten inches.

They began firing again. I screamed in pain but it only made me stronger. Every bullet they put into my body made me ripple with newfound strength.

Twenty inches.

“Run!” Raisa crawled under the the gate, and I slid under it, and then sprinted up the stairs.

To my side I noticed a sign with the word ‘POWER’ on it. As I ran past the open room I shot as many swords of electricity into it as possible.

BAM! The lights went out as the room exploded behind me.

I could hear yelling behind. Soon there were gunshots. I could hear the whiz of bullets flying past my body. Shitshitshitshitshitshit!!!

As much as I was screaming on the inside, I kept my face stone cold as always.

Just keep running, just keep runn- As soon as we got to the we were met with a hundred soldiers ready and waiting. There were more behind us. My sights settled on one soldier in particular, carrying a military issued catalyst. Probably a high mage.

Probably had anti-magic.

I stopped for a moment and put my hands up, “Looks like I've been caught.” I grinned slightly.

“Stand down!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know the drill.”

It was still dark.

I still had a chance.

I knelt with my hands behind my head. Raisa just stood there, still in chains. Slowly, they approached me, like approaching a wild fallen. Yeah, take your time.

Three.

Two.

One…

Being so close to death in that moment was probably the best blessing to ever come my way. The way they treated me like a Nightmare was also a blessing. Approaching me slowly was a mistake.

Just before they cuffed me I carved out a massive hole in the hull of the ship.

Normally I wouldn't be able to do such a thing, but I was basically dead and that meant Goddess Steel was nothing to me. The ship started tilting as one side of it filled with water. I ran up the side of the ship with Raisa and jumped as the dreadnought completely flipped onto its side. I dove into the water, and looked around frantically for Aurora.

Suddenly I was pulled to the surface.

I started fighting it out of instinct, but I was pleasantly surprised.

“Oh, thank Yofiel!” Aurora pulled me into a tight hug as I pushed the rest of my body onto land.

“Ow…” I groaned quietly.

“Are you alright? You're bleeding a lot…”

“Not at all. I could use some of that healing magic of yours…” I looked away shyly.

“Here.” She grasped her catalyst and ran her hand along my body, soft golden light filling my body.

“Thanks, but we need to get going. They're gonna search for us…”

Raisa took a deep breath, “I can help with that. You'll need to get these shackles off of me first.”

I turned to her, “Not an issue.” I pulled out my lockpicks and went to work. Ker-chink the chains fell to the ground. “Let's get going. I don't like being anywhere near these people.”

(«^»)

Lucky enough for us, Raisa could teleport. Before the news could ever reach the rest of the world we were on the train to Saela safe and sound. Of course I took off the mask and cloak I wore into the assault on the Dreadnought. I didn't need to leave any kind of trace that would bite me in the ass later. Raisa had used her shapeshifting so we wouldn't have any worries of being caught.

As soon as we walked off the train I pulled a different cloak over my body, and put on a different mask. I sighed deeply, “I think we did it.”

“It's nice to know you'd come back for me.” Raisa stepped up to my side with her hands behind her head.

“It's only fair.” I said as I started walking. I squeezed Aurora's hand to help steady myself after that experience.

“You might owe me a lot of money but busting me out of prison is nowhere as valuable as your debts to me.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I'd do it again even if I didn't owe you anything to be perfectly honest.”

“Oh, we'll see about that,” Raisa laughed, “Also who's this? Someone you're escorting?” Raisa shot a glance at Aurora.

I gave Aurora a look, “Introduce yourself,”

“Hello! I'm Aurora Faelina Yurriana. I'm Iris’ Yurriana. I'm also the heiress to the Alexandrian throne…” Aurora looked away as she said that final part.

“Huh… I thought you looked familiar.”

“Also, yes, I am technically her escort.” I said.

Raisa perked up after a moment of silence, “Oh! If you've found your Yurriana that means you have your memories back don't it?”

“Vaguely…” I brought my palm up to my forehead as the thought triggered a headache.

“Well, do you remember our relationship and when we first met?”

“You're my granddaughter. We met at some point during the seventh era… I think it was when I broke Jade out of prison along with you, Shax, and Disira…” My head hurt the more I thought about it. “Back then you were Jade’s familiar but I'm guessing you were reborn as her daughter.”

“Our family sure does seem to do a lot of prison breaking. It might be genetic.” Raisa laughed.

“No I'm pretty sure this one is just a bad influence.” Aurora said.

“I am not!” I detested.

“You certainly are on me.” Aurora grinned wickedly and kissed me on the cheek. I looked away in embarrassment.

We continued on like that. Walking and soaking in the slow, peaceful city on our way home. It made me smile thinking about the life I was living.

We wandered the city for a few hours, just trying to enjoy ourselves as well as to pick up some things we needed.

But all the fun and games stopped when we got to the house.

It was burning with black flames.

And it reeked of blood.