Start Anew

Withra is trying to make sense of everything. Is Ether a traitor too? She couldn't bring herself to believe that. Ether would never knowingly join forces with someone trying to kill her. She shakes her head in disbelief. She wants to say something but Ether would recognize her voice.

"If either of them make a move shoot." Ether says to Rose.

"Don't worry I was going to even if you didn't ask." Rose says sharply.

"You two are under arrest for breaking into the royal palace, stealing the unholy spear Oli, conspiracy against the Covenant of Sabrous..."

"And making me miss my date! I am still really damn salty about that." Rose adds.

"Woah now, I didn't do any of that." Victor says. "I don't know what you're talking about with this spear and shit."

"Save it for Lord Sabrous' judgement." Ether says.

Withra steps in front of Victor and quickly reaches inside of her jacket pulling out Oli. Rose promptly shoots her cannon. However, the shell is split in two by the blade of the spear. Victor makes a break for the alleyway while Withra deflects another round. Withra follows behind him after he is behind cover. Ether, and Carmelita chase after them while Rose runs around to the driver's seat and takes off in the hovercar to cut them off.

"We're not too far from the wall." Victor says. "Stay close."

Withra nods not wanting to give away her voice. She is unsure if Ether is a traitor or not but she'd rather believe he doesn't know the Myrmidon is using him to get to her. If Withra reveals her identity Carmelita will kill Ether so no one knows Withra's true identity. Then she could kill Withra and claim she didn't know.

They come to a service door to enter the massive wall that encases the inner city. Victor takes out his massive sword and cuts the door down and continues inside Withra right behind him. Carmelita and Ether run in after them following the stairwell up the side of the wall. Carmelita uses magic to increase her speed and catches up to Victor and Withra.

With a single slash of her blade a wave of pure magical energy slices through the entire wall. Withra managed to push Victor out of the way just in time. However, the two had to split up before Carmelita could swing again. Ether finally catches up and sees the massive section of the wall that is now missing. He is astonished at Carmelita's display of power.

"Ether," Carmelita says. "Take the path on the right. They split up. I'll take out the thief. She is obviously too dangerous to keep alive."

Ether sighs. "Just get the spear back too."

"Don't worry, Ether, I'll give you all the credit." She says with a bloodthirsty smile though Ether could not see it because of her helmet.

Ether runs off after Victor disappearing in the hallway. Carmelita starts after Withra catching up to her rather quickly because of her speed. Withra jumps up through the ceiling like she did in the club finding herself one floor up. She starts running again but suddenly a bright light floods in through the window. It is Rose in the hovercar. She hangs out the driver seat window and fires hitting Withra in the stomach. Withra falls back against the wall using Oli to keep herself up. Rose reloads the next round aiming for Withra's head. Out of panic Withra unleashes a powerful bolt of lightning from her hand. The bolt strikes Rose burning through her body and killing her instantly. The lightning then splits reaching across the kingdom striking buildings in the distance and shutting down power all across the city. The hovercar suddenly explodes and crashes to the ground. All of the lights in the wall go out as well.

Withra looks down at her hands after seeing all of the destruction she caused. She never wanted to hurt anyone all she wanted was freedom. Withra drops to one knee as her blood pools at her feet. Carmelita claps as she walks up to her.

"What a display." Carmelita says. "You are definitely a spawn of that Demon-God. Even so how, much magic do you have left after that little display. A true immortal would still have magic to spare but a Demi must be running low by now."

"Who are you?" Withra asks. "Why do you want to kill me? You know who I am."

"Of course I know who you are Princess." Carmelita says as she takes off her helmet. "I was sent here to kill you. From the moment I came to this wretched covenant that has been my goal."

"Who sent you?"

"None other than the God of prophecy Alidion. I am sure you know him. The same God that killed your mother. The same God that bested your pathetic father."

Withra spins around swinging the spear at Carmelita who recoils then pulls out her shield blocking Withra's next strike. Carmelita slashes her sword down. Withra blocks by holding the spear horizontally. The block leaves her open so Carmelita uppercuts her in the gut with her shield. Withra is sent through the ceiling to the next floor. Carmelita jumps up through the hole landing next to Withra.

Gunshots ring down the dark hallway from Ether and Victor's battle. Suddenly Ether is flung through the air hitting Carmelita. His armor is cut deeply from his helmet down across his chest. Down the hall a red aura surrounds Victor as he walks towards the group. His armor on his arms shifts to vent steam.

"When someone mentions the slayer of the emperor dragon army or the hero of the east or even the wandering swordsman and professional badass." Victor says. "They are referring to me."

Carmelita pushes Ether off of her then raises her sword to kill Withra. Before her sword can reach its mark Victor parried her strike. Then unleashed a powerful attack of his own. Carmelita raises her shield only to have it cut in half. Withra crawls to the stairwell. Carmelita was right she was low on magic and her wounds have stopped healing. Ether stands up jumping out of the way of Victor and Carmelita. He sees Withra crawling and promptly chases after her. He reaches her and turns her around snatching Oli from her hands. Then he takes out his knife putting it to her throat.

"You've cost us a lot of grief. I should kill you." He says as he takes off his damaged helmet. "Rose come in. I have the spear and the thief... Rose?"

"She won't be answering." Withra says softly. "I killed her but, it wasn't on..."

"You did what?" Ether says pressing the knife against her throat. "Wait..." He lowers the knife. "That voice. Withra? Is that..."

Suddenly Carmelita kicks Ether in the head knocking him out cold. She then jumps over Victor as he jabs his blade, then she backflips off his back. Victor pulls two grenades from his belt and throws them down the hall. He shields Withra with his body as the explosion ensues. He looks down the hall. There is no sign of Carmelita. Victor takes the opportunity to pick up Withra under his arm and grabs Oli as he runs up the stairs. Withra is too weak to retaliate. She wants to stay and make sure that Ether was okay. However, she knew that was impossible.

"That chick is bad news." Victor says. "Don't you go croaking on me either. I have a mage on my team and she'll heal you up." Victor puts his sword on his back and pulls out a blinking red GPS from his belt. "Looks like they're here finally."

He kicks open the door and runs to the edge of the wall. A hovercar is beelining directly to him. Suddenly Carmelita runs up behind Victor cutting off the arm he was holding Withra under. He spins around without flinching and hits her across the face with a backfist. Carmelita's helmet shatters from the terrifying blow but she was protected. She is thrown back a few feet from the blow.

"Good thing you went for the right arm." Victor says. "It's a prosthetic, but hell'a expensive so I am going to need to exchange insurance information with you." He pulls out his sword.

Carmelita charges her blade with magic preparing to unleash her true power. Withra sits up pooling the rest of her magic into Oli. Victor prepares himself to block whatever strike Carmelita has planned. However, before she can finish Withra gets on one knee and throws Oli. The spear moves through the air faster than any bullet but it is a tad bit off its mark. The spear cuts deeply through Carmelita's side before flying like a bolt of light across the city. Carmelita spits up blood and holds her side. She stabs her sword into the floor using it as a prop as she falls to her knee.

As Withra starts to fall Victor catches her. She is unconscious and her bleeding has only gotten worse. He is utterly shocked that she had that kind of power especially in her condition. The hovercar with Victor's teammate finally arrives. Victor places her in the vehicle being sure to keep an eye on Carmelita as he does. He then walks to pick up his severed limb.

"Don't worry Miss Myrmidon I'll get you my contacts. My agents will call you and will get this severed prosthetic thing settled outside of court." He gets in the car.

"This isn't over." Carmelita screams viciously. "I will find you! When I do I am going to rip out your goddamned throat!"

"Alright, damn." Victor responds as they pull off. "I heard you, no reason to yell."

* * *

Withra wakes up to the sun beaming in through a window high above her bed. She tosses and turns not wanting to wake. Her body is sore and she knows that it will be another long day of training ahead. It won't be long now before her father will come to prepare her for the fated day she will be the Destroyer. A killer of Immortals both God and Demon alike. A future she never wanted. All to serve her father's vengeful quest.

"Computer." Her tired voice wails softly. "Close the blinds." After a few minutes pass with no response she pulls the cover down. "Computer?"

She opens her eyes and sees that she is not in her room at all. She is surprised to see she is in a small and junky bunking quarters. She looks around and there is a small porthole shining a bright light from outside. She moves to the edge of her and sees she is covered in bandages. She walks to the porthole stepping over women's clothing and mechanics tools. She looks out and sees the countryside pass beneath her. Suddenly the room door opens. Withra turns quickly and sees a surprised Victor step in.

"I did not think you'd be up and walking so soon." Victor says. "You were in a coma for a few days. Not long just a week... or two."

"Where are we." Withra asks.

"You are on board my airship right now. We are currently flying over Ashfall I believe." Victor responds rubbing his neck. "We kind'a had to take you with us. You were in a really bad condition and to be honest I don't know how you are alive right now. Of course you don't have to stay with us. We are not kidnapping you. I would be more than happy to drop you off anywhere."

Tears flow uncontrollably from Withra's eyes. They are tears of joy and sorrow. She finally made it out of Sabrous' covenant. She could live how she wanted. Free from Demons or Gods and their plans for her. However, a loneliness hit her. She wanted the last time Ether saw her to be one he would remember fondly. Instead of the horror show that went on at the wall.

She leans against the wall unable to stand on her own. Victor helps her back to her bed and she sits down.

"Are you alright?" Victor asks.

"I am fine." Withra replies. "I am just... well I don't know."

"Gotta say, I never met a girl like you." Victor says. "And I don't even know your name."

Withra's mind blanks. She never really thought about it before. Should she tell him her real name or make up one. If he found out she was actually the daughter of Sabrous and a Demi would he abandon her. She thinks for a few seconds and remembers one of the few stories Sabrous told her about her mother. There was a name she always wanted to name her but Sabrous always refused. He thought it wasn't fitting for a future Destroyer. Withra decided that she would start anew with a new identity and she would take up the name her mother wanted to give her.

"My name is Piri... Piri Hope."