6. The Cursed Number Four

Talvory City was silent as the Adonai returned. The golden chariot was followed closely by a cage that none dared peer into. No civilian dared watch as the prisoners were transported to the Government Tower.

"Get them," the Adonai barked as he stepped down from his chariot and pointed to the tower. "Bring them to me."

Soldiers stepped into the cage.

"Let go of us!" Vylet raged when the troops grabbed her by her arms and dragged her from the vehicle.

"Don't resist!" the soldier said back, his hand upon his blade. "I don't want this to get ugly."

Vylet scowled at the man and leaned forward, spitting in his face.

"Why you—!" he exclaimed, slamming her with his gun.

Vylet hit the ground with a thud, her light jacket tearing as she slid across the concrete. Upon the ground, she looked up as the large hand of the Adonai jolted her to her feet, ripping her coat entirely.

"Stand—" He suddenly stopped as he stared at her shoulder.

She...

Vylet quickly covered herself, but it was too late. Upon her shoulder, in small print, was the number 144, tattooed in blue ink.

Could she be...? he thought. Is it possible?

He shook his head. "Take her to a cell!"

"What about the other one?" one of them exclaimed, pointing to Astrid. "What do we do with her?"

The Adonai said nothing, instead, he passed his men to stand before Astrid himself.

"Why do you look at the ground?" he thundered, his large figure towering over her. "Are you already so defeated? Already so weakened and grim?"

"I just want the pain to stop..." Astrid mumbled in a soft, writhing whisper. "I want to stop hurting..."

Astrid felt a jolt as the Adonai's big hands lifted her from the ground by her throat.

"Pain?!" he raged. "You know nothing of pain!" His voice was a deep, grating growl. "Tell me, girl"—he pointed to the number 4 that was tattooed on his chest—"do you know what this mark on my chest means?"

Astrid gasped, her words gurgling as she tried to break for air.

"This," he continued, "this is the mark of my bondage, the eternal reminder that I was once enslaved by Angels. The reminder that I was torn from my family, that my childhood was ripped from my grasp by the sting of a whip, that I lost my name. It is the reminder that I was no longer human, but instead a mere number on a record!"

Astrid felt her heart skip.

Lost...your name...? A cold shiver rode up her spine as the image of Philos shot through her mind. He was one too...

"So don't speak to me of pain, wench," the large man spat as he dropped her to the ground. "Take her to my quarters. I wish to keep an eye on her personally."

The men nodded, then jolted Astrid to her feet.

Are you truly the one...? the Adonai thought as he watched her being carried away. Do you truly have it? Do you have the Birthright of Vespira? Are you the fabled Starborn?

He couldn't shake this sensation. It was strange. He couldn't help the feeling that he was being watched.

"Oooooo!" the Starbreather said into the air as he watched Astrid be dragged into the Government Tower in Talvory City.

His voice echoed, but no one could hear him. No, he was merely a phantom, an ethereal shadow with no power left in the real world.

Wind brisked the ground as the night slowly encroached, chasing away the light of the sun from its perch upon the top of the sky.

"You really have it wrong, Mr. Adonai," the small god said, turning his face to the rising moon. He sighed and scratched his head, the tiny stars along his skin colliding and creating miniature supernovas. "But, you can't hear me, so..."

The Starbreather stood, his body levitating in the air, and he began to rise into the sky.

"Why don't you just get here already, Smith!?" he pouted. "I wanna to talk to them, but I can't if I don't know where they are!"

He rose high above the Government Tower. From his spot just below the clouds, he could see the vastness that was the expanse of the Nameless World—the world that had been stripped of life, stripped from the truths of the Spirit World of Empyria, torn from the Starbreather and his Aeons.

Vespira... a crescent grin formed upon his face. "I wonder what your scions are like!"

The bar was quiet. Most of the villagers of Hazelnut had gone home or been kicked out, but Gilliam Murdock stayed. Several times, the barkeep thought about asking him to leave but decided against it. For one, the man always paid for his whiskey, and two, this frosty man seemed to be friends with the Angel from earlier. The bartender knew quite vehemently that he didn't want to involve himself in anything Angelic.

Gilliam had stayed in the bar for several weeks now, drinking, yet he never seemed to get inebriated. Instead, he seemed to stay at a rather easy buzz. The bartender definitely had questions, but ended up deciding to let the man's business be his own. Several times, men and women would come and sit beside him. It was strange, mainly because none of these men and women were familiar faces. They would come, sit, and talk to the frosty knight. He would always order them a drink and the two would exchange whispers. Then the other would leave just as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Tonight was that sort of night.

Gilliam sat at the bar, his frigid powers keeping the ice in his glass separated from the alcohol, keeping it deluded and from melting. He waited until midnight when the door opened. The barkeep looked up, but to his surprise, this visitor was rather different. It wasn't the typical ruffian-type or strongman, the usual kind that visited his odd guest in the day. No, it a petite girl, young and bright-eyed, her irises a light yellow, as golden as her pigtails. As she approached, he could see that from her head grew two goat horns.

Beastfolk...

She said nothing, but gave him a nod and a cute smile as she took her seat.

"Lieutenant Krista Morgans." Gilliam said, smiling as she sat beside him. "I'd buy you a drink, but you're a bit young."

"It's okay." She smiled. "I don't like the taste anyway, Ice."

"Don't worry about code-names, Krista. We're all friends here." Gilliam raised his hand to the bartender. "One glass of milk, please. Extra cold."

"I've got some really big news, Frosty!" she whispered in hushed excitement as the glass of milk was placed before her. "The girl with those weird eyes arrived at the Government Tower yesterday!"

"So my brother believes he found it, doesn't he?" Gilliam smiled. "Poor fool. He may not have a Scion of Vespira in his grasp, but he is also unaware that the destruction that devil girl is capable of. Let us pray to One that he never realizes the power she possesses."

"So it's true then? That girl, she's..."

"The Devil, yes. A being that was never meant to be." He took a drink. "We'll leave it at that for right now."

"There's also another girl. My intel says she's got lavender hair and big brown eyes. She sounds so dreamy, not gonna lie!"

"Vylet Noire? Adoptive daughter to Pal Burns?"

"Yup!"

"Good. Do me a favor, will ya? Bring her to me. The Commander would like to see her."

Krista stood and gave a nod and smile. "Roger that, Frosty!"

"Well, well..." Gilliam said as he watched the effervescent young woman leave. "Oh how things are falling into place."

He took a sip of his whiskey, and paid his tab.

Philos stared in awe at the gargantuan and imposing gate that loomed over the small village of Hazelnut, its ominous shadow cast over the town as the morning sun rose behind it.

"The Emerald Gate," Sir Smith began, "the last defense of the Outskirts government. It was constructed as a barricade to defend the capital city, Talvory."

"Talvory," Joseph began, lighting a cigarette, "that's where this Adonai guy is?"

"Yes. But we must be wary. The gate is sure to be guarded by officials. We must proceed carefully."

"I'm so hungry!" Alphonso said as his stomach made a roaring growl.

"What?" Joseph smiled a smug smile. "Can't handle a simple carriage ride to Hazelnut, huh, fatso?"

"When I finally get some food," the other started, groaning. "I'm gonna kill ya, ya stupid dog!"

"I'm a cat—" Joseph threw his hands into the air. "You know what? Forget it."

"Fools," Sir Smith said under his breath.

Uri felt his stomach growl as well. "I'm..." he said softly, "I'm somewhat hungry as well."

"We'll be there soon enough," Philos said as he leaned against the window, his reddish-brown eyes watching the Emerald Gate as they entered the town. "Hazelnut Village has a pretty good tavern from what I hear."

"What's got you so solemn, Phi?" Joseph asked, one of his cat ears twitching.

"Oh, me?" He smiled. "Nothing, just enjoying the ride, that's all."

"This is the first time we've left the city, well"—Joseph pointed at himself, then Alphonso, then Uri—"for us, at least."

Philos smiled widely. "Yeah. It makes me happy."

It was true, too. He was happy. But, it was partially a lie. He couldn't enjoy this ride. Not with those images in his mind. Over and over he thought about his skirmish only a few days prior. He thought about the Adonai and his blazing red flames, how powerful they were, and how he they prevented Philos from healing. But that was the least of the dismal thoughts that pervaded his mind. What truly unsettled him—the thing that made him shiver—wasn't the gargantuan man's raw magical ability. No. It was the number tattooed upon his chest.

Number four, huh?

Philos placed his hand upon his chest. He couldn't shake it. No matter how much he hated the Adonai for what he did, for some sick, twisted reason, he felt sorry for him. That simple tattoo, that number upon his chest, Philos knew the gravity that it bore. He knew its pain—its curse.

He knew that man's agony, and when he thought about it, he understood his anger.

I know your pain, Adonai. But even if I know the curse that haunts you, I still cannot forgive you. You hurt the ones I care about. You crossed the line.

Sure, he told himself this, but he still couldn't shake this pervasive feeling within himself.

Because he knew, deep down, that he wished he could save the Adonai, too.

The wagon slowly began to stop and the driver raised the curtain.

"It's not much to look at, but we're here," the driver called back.

Alphonso quickly rose and stepped down from the wagon.

"I see the tavern, too!" Oh thank One, we're saved!"

Philos smiled and looked at his friends.

"Hurry up, fatso!" Joseph laughed as he stepped down as well. "Yer gonna waste away if you don't eat in time!"

"Shut up you stupid dog! I gotta eat!" He flexed his big biceps. "These guns need ammo, ya know!"

"Dude, I'm a cat!"

Uri laughed softly as he watched the two bicker back and forth.

"Hey, brother," Philos said, holding his hand out to help the young, blue-haired boy down. "I know you're hungry, too! C'mon!"

The other nodded and took his hand.

Sir Smith watched the boys scurry off into the tavern and sighed.

"O great One," he said under his breath. "Am I now a babysitter?"

Hazelnut was a bustling town. Farmers sold fruit at their stands. The gray smoke from the blacksmith's table wafted into the air, only to disperse as it ascended into the atmosphere. As the morning sun was now higher than the Emerald Gate, the town finally received daylight. Philos and the others scurried towards the tavern, their stomachs empty and their hearts filled with the warmth and rush of adventure.

High above the small and humble village, a shadowy figure levitated in the air. None could see him, but that wasn't anything unusual. He was accustomed to being invisible. He watched, as he had always done; he watched, for that was all he could do.

Above the settlement, the Starbreather, the one called "One," floated like a specter in the wind, his deep red eyes watching the boys below. He stared at Uri. You hold it too, don't you? The Starbreather smiled, baring his sharp, jagged teeth. You're a small fry, that's for sure! I bet your power will be fantastic!

He crossed his arms and sat in the air with his legs crossed. As he folded his limbs, the cosmic galaxies caught within his skin exploded upon his flesh, turning his arms and legs into bright greens and purples and blues as the galaxies collided. He turned his crimson gaze to Philos.

And you...

 You are not yet ready...

He began to laugh, a high-pitched cackle. As he floated above the city and laughed, no one saw him or heard him.

They never had to begin with.

The tavern had pretty much cleared, mostly because people bolted as soon as they saw an Angel. Gilliam sat silently at the bar, listening.

So here you are, Smith...these boys? He thought with a smile. Are they the ones that will save the world?

"So what's the deal?" Alphonso said, his mouth full of food.

"Don't speak to me with your mouth full," Sir Smith shot back. "Foolish brute."

"Then I'll ask," Philos said, smiling as he put his fork down politely. "How exactly do you expect us to take down the Morning Star Kingdom."

"You get ahead of yourself," the Angel said. "You must first learn to manifest the Starblood. It is only then that—"

"Help!" A woman suddenly burst into the bar. "They're gonna kill him!"

Philos rose almost immediately and nodded at the others.

Joseph winked. "Sorry, Smithy. Looks like your little story is gonna have to wait."

"Don't worry," Alphonso said, gulping down a glass of ale and cracking his knuckles. "We won't be long."

Outside, a boy stood against three soldiers: a short man, a big man, and a masked woman.

"Screw off!" the young boy yelled at the soldier in the middle.

"You gotta death wish, kid?" the short man said, a large club in his hands.

"I said screw off!"

"That's it!" the man raged as he raised his bat to swing.

The boy dropped, his shaking hands raising to guard his head.

But the strike never came.

"You know," Philos said as he held the tip of the club in his hand, "it's not nice to pick on those weaker than you, especially children."

The short man ripped the club from his hand. "And just who the hell are you?!"

Philos smiled. "Oh, I'm Philos."

"Looks like you'll have to kill him too, Fox!" the masked woman cackled to her partner.

"She's right! Ya see here, this is Captain Wolfe's territory! No one gets through the gate without his say-so. So I'd back down!" he grunted as he swung the bat once more.

With great speed, Philos swerved to the right, his foot sweeping Fox's feet off of the ground.

"Hyena!" Fox exclaimed as he fell. "Shoot him already!"

"My turn?!" She laughed, pulling a large revolver from her cloak. "Fun time!"

A gunshot rang through the air. The air was still, the people of the village silent and frozen in fear.

"Oh my god!" Hyena shrieked as she collapsed to the ground, cradling her bleeding hand that once held a gun.

"Shooting a man who doesn't even have his sword drawn?" Joseph said, smoke flowing from the barrel of his gun. "Bit of a cheap move, no?"

"Alright!" Alphonso roared, his large muscles flexing as he cracked his knuckles. "Which one of you bastards interrupted my dinner? My food is getting cold!"

"That's the least of your worries." Fox said as he produced a giant dagger. "I'll gut that food from your stomach."

With a rush of rage, Fox stepped forward, the blade of the dagger spearing forward wildly.

"Yeah, Fox!" Hyena shrieked. "Make him bleed!"

The blade came toward Alphonso. Suddenly, Alphonso took the man by the wrist. With his great strength, he stepped forward, sweeping Fox's leg off the ground and raising him up. With one great motion, the short man slammed onto the street, the force of his fall kicking up dust from the road.

Alphonso combed his spiky hair. "Idiot."

"That's martial arts! You bastard!" Fox groaned as he rose again, holding his back. "I'll kill you—"

Suddenly, the sounds of a wolf howling resounded from the Emerald Gate.

"Time to go back." the large soldier said with a droopy voice as he threw the injured Hyena over his shoulder.

Fox sighed. "You're right, Hound." He turned to the boys. "You're lucky this time! All of ya!"

"Are you okay?" Uri said as he rushed to the young boy as his attackers scurried away.

"Hey! Asshole!" the boy yelled, pointing at Philos.

"M-me?!"

"Yeah, you! I didn't need you to step in! I didn't need your help! I'm not some helpless kid!"

"Oh yeah?" Philos smiled, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "You could've handled it on your own, couldn't you?"

Sudden pain shot up his leg as the boy slammed his boot into Philos' shin.

"Aghhh!" Philos shrieked, holding his shin and bouncing around.

"Ouch." Alphonso said.

"That little runt got you good!" Joseph laughed.

Uri held his hand to his head. "They're both outlandish..."

The Angel walked out of the tavern, his halo glowing in the sun. "Are we done lollygagging?"

"I'm not a kid!" the boy yelled as he walked off. "My name is Dalt! And I'm not weak!"

"That kid..." Uri began.

"Has serious issues..." Joseph finished.