"Fucking bitch....." The soldier stood dead frozen.

His arms twitching as he held his sword up high.

He lost strength in his wrist and he finally let go.

His sword fell letting out a clanging sound as it bounced on the ground.

He had been struck from behind by a villager. He looked back as he fell to the ground. Everyone stared in amazement.

"Quickly! Come!" the man warned them.

They followed him. He led them into his shop. Inside was brandished with weapons, armory, and accessories.

"The names Sannu. What's yours?"

Everyone was quiet and still in shock.

On the table, they saw a woman biting a short knife down. She tightened her bandages with her other hands.

"Cats got your tongues kiddies," said Kairui.

"We've, we've" stumbling over his words. Yannu was suspended in thought.

"Was this really, the best you could find to bring in Sannu" taunted Kairui looking at him with doubt.

"The girl killed a soldier. Believe it or not, the towns changed a lot since you've been gone. People are emm what you call it, non-violent here".

"Pussy you mean".

"Were being invaded here by a foreign army and you want to bring kids to opt-out our survival options. Sannu what's with you?'.

"Drama queen. We've made it out with worse".

We're right here? Thought Quine.

"We'll keep the one that killed the soldier, maybe the cute boy too if he ever comes out of shock. That is!! But for now, this party is useless".

"Hold on" Quine jumped in.

'I don't know who this bandage bitch is but she's not getting off that easy insulting us like that, its hell outside".

"Bandage bitch!!!!" Kairui rose furiously vented.

Sannu stood between them trying to ease the tension.

"Let's bring it down a notch can we ladies. Please before they get notice of us being here!'.

Both parties fell back and calmed down.

"I think we should arm up. The soldiers will be here soon. I heard the horses draw close as we ran" repeated Yannu. Sannu and Kairui motioned his viewpoint.

"Ahh, the boy speaks" teased Kairui.

They all gathered and started discussing the plan for them.

"So were of one accord then. Get the girl sobered up. We need all people ready".

Sannu kept his tone confident but deep down he was scared. His wife was now out there amidst the slaughter and he couldn't get to her.

The thoughts of her being dead periled his mind but he tried not to think of it. He wanted to just go out and look for her.

"Listen Kairui take the wagon and the kids and venture out past the city to the lake. You won't get far if you make a break for Saiyn'Saiyn or Another nation now. The routes are blocked".

"I know, they came looking for the key of fruition, the immortal spring. They won't leave until they find it and were all slaves to them" she earnestly replied.

"How do you know that?? Did they set out the audit?'.

Kairui sat down in silence with her head gazing down, lodged between her arms.

"Your silence speaks volumes" Sannu muttered to himself.

"We might not make it this time. Sannu, come with me I don't want to lose you. Not after all this time" cried Kairui.

"I can't, my wife". A big smile grasped his face as he responded.

"Plus, you might need intel if you want to escape and make it past them in the future".

"You won't be free. Everyone is aware of your talents as a smith. They'll take you as an exotic blacksmith around the world. After they've used you for your trade".

"Come with, please". She rose and hugged him firmly.

The trio stood in the silence seeing the scene play out. Instantaneously Rachid burst through the door. Her face in aw and her dress stained in blood.

Sannu noticed and rushed to her.

The shock had erased her jealousy, she was now in a submissive state. Her eyes stared blankly into his as he wiped her face clean.

Sannu Shock her.

"Rachid, Rachid are you okay"

Yannu took notice and went to grab a bucket of water for him to use. Kairui wiped her tears clean. Grabbed her short sword and went to dress in light armor and have a swig of beer.

At the tab, she looked across and saw Quine and Ussu.

"Am sorry, whatever it is. We've got to make this work. Friends??'. She reached her hand out while pouting.

Although abrupt, Quine figured its best to let bygones be bygones.

"Your taking this calmly like your used to it Quine," asked Yannu while draining the blood from the towel.

"Who me?' she answered.

"Yeah, you. I understand Ussu. She was drunk. But you, your so calm" he sternly countered back.

"You remember the Rhiniss Wars. My family... was in a village raided before I came here. I froze once,.... I won't again!".

"Not again" as she lifted the goblet to her lips.

"Pass me the towel" wailed Sannu.

Yannu caught wind of him and drained it quickly then handed it to him. Ussu swiftly got up and walked towards the door. Everyone caught eye of it.

"Sannu, your name, and Physic, where do you descend from?'.

Sannu continued wiping Rachid's face.

"I'm half Saiyn', half Śeinq, my people are what you call wanderers ...Never in one place" he explained.

"I'm of Caciccaci descent. Our people are of similar history I believe so...".

The two spoke and reminisced about their hometowns. Time passed. Even Kairui and Quine had opened up to each other.

"Hey, guys" Ussu finally spoke.

The room's attention was drawn to her once again. She had been staring at the door for a while now in silence. Yannu had paid little to no attention to her behavior, he thought she was still under the influence of Alcohol.

"Guys," she said as she summoned them to the door.

This time the room drew quiet and full of suspense. Rachid quivered and shrieked thinking it was soldiers again.

Yannu grasped Ussu's shoulder and peered over.

What he saw left him speechless.

"Yannu, what's going on outside??" Sannu questioned.

No reply came out of the couple.

"What is it??' Ordered Kairui.

Sannu's attention grew sharp as well. They both headed to the door.

Rachid creased up in a fetal position scared and anxious. Smothering her ears.

Kairui stood behind him trying to peek a glance.

She ducked underneath but the door wasn't open wide enough. Sannu's bulky figure blocked the area. Under frustration, he opened the door wider, its rusty hinges creaked as it gave sight to the spectators.

Ussu burst out giggling. Slowly and suddenly she hysterically started laughing at the sky. The others wondered what had provoked this fear in Yannu and Ussu. The door drew open wider.

"Guys" she let out one final time. Ambiance filled the room once again. This time, hesitation grasped her last words.

"The stars are falling!!".

The sky burnt red with a swarm of arrows.

Outside sounded like wails from the dead as the fiery rays burnt through the sky. Sizzling and crisping as they ascended.

You could hear the wind whizz past like a snake's hiss.

The room fell back under her laughing spell.

A soldier wandering past noticed the open door. He charged to them, oblivious to the sky. Eager to assault the crew huddled up inside.

"Close, close, close the door!!!" everyone yelled.

Sannu slammed the door shut.

They all dived back, retreating from the door.

What came next was an estranged sound. Thousands of arrows latched themselves unto the surroundings, piercing into the thatch and stone roofs of the cubic houses. Outside the door came a loud thud.

As well as a small yell and finally it ceased.

Everyone was wary of the attack, their ears yearned for any information on the outside. Momentarily a second barrage of arrows hitched into the area, this time a few penetrated their homestead.

Sannu reacted instantly. He slid over his bar counter and retrieved his axe and shield. He headed down the cellar grabbing his armor and a barrel of Alcohol.

Fully Dressed and suited, he ordered the group on their next steps.

"Everyone arm up, get the grain. Meat and weapons, we've got to move now!".

Kairui followed suit, she tightened her armor dressing and sheathed her sword. Then got a small dagger and handed it to Rachid. Rachid's hand shook with fear.

Seeing her hesitation Kairui squeezed rachides hand together.

"You believe in those words on that sign there," she said, "Love and Necessity".

Stunned Rachid. Bobbed her head up and down.

"Well you three, get your stuff together. If you want to survive at least" Sannu gestured.

The trio simultaneously acted unconsciously and armed up. Kairui watched him attentively suit up.

"Now back to you, Rachid. If you want to see those words cemented in that man's heart. Get up and support us while we escape. Right now, a Princess isn't needed or you're just dead weight" she revered.

Rachid snapped from her faze. A surge of adrenaline sprung in her body.

"Okay, kids lets get moving. You, boy head upstairs there's vital minerals and herbs in the room to the left". Yannu followed suit.

She was now barking out orders, the image of her weak and feeble had been drained from her already. She had a small figure with golden yellow straight hair. In a silk dress and freckles rested on her cheeks. Her skin was a smooth mahogany tint with a fair face.

Kairui felt jealous of her looks. She glanced up and down at her, for a second, she had wondered when was the last time she had been this innocent.

Rachid popped up in front of her, taking her by surprise she looked stunned.

"You were right, about what you said. But believe this, my Husband shall never return to that life you brandish".

Kairui smirked and headed for the back door.

"Prepare now, we're heading for the wagon and charging out of here to the lake."

"They can't catch us if we use the cover of the canyon shadows outside the town. We'll dispatch the wagon and enter and erase our tracks once in the ravines. It's free for all so no getting left behind" Rachid outlined.

"Understood!" Everyone shouted out.