Tykal saw Embry pace back and forth biting her nails awaiting their return.

“They should’ve been back by now. Maybe we should...”

“Stay put like she said.” Tykal immediately cut her off. “Besides this way at least we don’t all have to die.”

Embry stopped dead in her tracks and glared at Tykal. “Whatever happened to ‘We fight together. We die together.’”

“You and I could still fight together. Die together is a whole different matter. Worst case scenario Karash expects two legionnaires to carry out the mission of overthrowing a kingdom.”

“And the best case scenario?”

“We get drafted into another unit. We already fought together. We just failed at dying together.”

“You’re just sunshine and rainbows aren’t you Tykal?”

“More like fire and brimstone.”

The duo heard the door open and saw Azura dragging her feet. Her face was worst for wear, and part of her armor was covered in blood.

“Onyx? Is he...” Embry began.

“He’s... Alive. He’s just... FUCK!” Azura threw her helmet and smashed it against the wall.

“Azura!? Is he...” Embry covered her mouth. She was about to exit the room when Azura stepped in front of her.

“Don’t.”

“What happened?”

Azura shut her eyes and bit her lower lip. It happened there was nothing she could do, but saying it out loud made it hurt more.

“They...” Azura mumbled the last part under her breath.

“He was raped wasn’t he?” Asked Tykal.

Azura simply nodded.

Embry ran out of the room in search of Onyx.

“He knew the risks.” Said Tykal.

“Don’t you even...” Azura began as she glared at Tykal.

“Azura legionnaires are killed, tortured, and raped. It’s an occupational hazard. His luck was gonna run out eventually.”

“Not like this Tykal. Never... Like this.”

Onyx stared at his bloodstained hands for what felt like an eternity. An eternity that would now become his new reality. He reached for the bucket of water and poured it all over himself in one go. The blood hadn’t completely washed away. It remained there as a reminder of the powerlessness, the humiliation, and subjugation. He quickly filled the bucket again and poured the water over himself. Still the blood remained on his body taunting him. Onyx fell back he could still taste it in his mouth. He put his finger inside his mouth in an attempt to make himself throw up. He had to get the man’s semen out of him. Onyx vomited, and yet he still felt dirty. He was about to fill the bucket with water again when he heard a knock on the door.

“Onyx? Are you in there?”

Onyx didn’t respond. He just wanted to be left alone.

“Onyx... I just wanted to come in and talk.”

Onyx looked at the door hoping that Embry would just go away.

“Azura told us... I just... Shit... I don’t... Please just let me in.”

Embry had her forehead pressed against the door. Tears running down her cheeks. They took away something that could never be regained.

“Hey Onyx do you remember that time in Tofar? What you said to me back then what was it? When we met do you remember?”

Onyx saw the village covered in flames. He made his way as fast as he could carrying the scepter in his hands. He saw piles of bodies everywhere. There were bits of scrap metal every now and again, but nothing that qualifed as a full machine. They were relentless. As he made his way further into the village he saw a girl standing in front of a torn Karashian banner. The girl wore civilian clothing, and she did not look like a legionnaire. The girl turned around and saw him standing there with the scepter.

“Are you alone?” He asked.

The girl nodded with a sad expression on her face.

“Not anymore.” He smiled.

She awaited a response, but all she received in return was silence.

“You told me that I wasn’t alone anymore. It’s thanks to you that I met the others. That I have a place that I can call home. So please... Let me in.”

Onyx had his forehead pressed against the door. He could almost feel her on the other side. He closed his eyes and tried to remember that day.

Onyx sat down as he covered his wounded arm. Embry looked at Onyx, and pulled out some bandages to cover his wounds.

“You are just full of surprises aren’t you?” Said Tykal as Embry tended to Onyx’s wounds.

“Shit my body is sore!” Exclaimed Tigris as she fell her limbs stretched in every direction. “Hey Embry care to give me a full body massage. I promise I’ll give you a happy ending.”

“So? Is it over or what?” Asked Lyo.

“No.” Answered Onyx. “Now we take the fight to them.”

After that moment they all became the renowned ‘Heroes of Tofar’ and got assigned to the same squad. It was a good time, for the most part. As he placed his hand on the door knob he saw the blood on his arm and hand. There wasn’t much of it left, but there was still enough of it. He went back to try and clean the rest of it off. Although by this point nothing could ever wash it away.

Embry heard footsteps and saw Tykal approach her.

“He’s still in there?” She asked.

“Yep.”

“Has he said a word?”

“No.”

“Yeah I think you should just leave it be.”

Embry growled. “That’s easy for you to say isn’t it?”

“There are times Embry... When words are not enough, and they just make things worst. This is one of those times.”

Embry didn’t know how to respond.

“He’ll come out eventually. When he does we need to be ready.”

“For what?”

“You don’t really think that he’s gonna be alright is he? The Onyx that you loved is dead. The Onyx that is in that room right now is not the same one that you knew.”