Nero. (1)

WHOOSH!

In the dead of night, two figures were riding through a forest on a large transport machine with panic written all over their faces. In their possession was a pale-skinned baby who was barely breathing and sweating profusely, being held by the beautiful woman riding in the front seat of the machine.

"Nina! We're almost at the hidden cloud village! As soon as we get there, drop him off at the elder's house and leave! You'll have about 10 seconds at most before they realize we made a sudden stop! If they find out that we stopped then..."

A middle-aged with long white hair looked seriously at the woman next to him as he said this. The woman, Nina, was his wife, and the baby she held in her arms, was their son. Due to breaking a taboo of her race, they were being chased down furiously by the members so the situation was dire.

Their family was facing complete annihilation.

Tears flowed out of Nina's eyes as she looked at the baby in her arms and reluctantly nodded at her husbands' words. This situation was just too tragic. Their family didn't deserve this. But, things had gone too far now.

There was no going back.

She pulled a pen out of a hidden pocket in her robe and slowly wrote a few words on a note as she gazed lovingly at the baby. She then put away the pen and stuck the note on his head, giggling at her own actions.

Maybe this would be the first and last time she would laugh with her son. She rubbed the tiny white hairs on his head and stroked the large black wings on his back, similar to her own, slowly, completely savoring this moment with her child.

"Nero, you gave your parents trouble even before you arrived in this world. We thought you died in my tummy but who would've thought that you would make such a drastic recovery? Do you know how much joy you gave us?"

Her tears started flowing even more as she continued, "When you get older, please, stay in this village. You wouldn't have to deal with any of our problems and you'll be able to live out a normal life here. Get married, give us some grandchildren, enjoy your elderly life and pass on in peace. Doing that would make your mother, no, it would make both of us happy."

Looking at this scene, the middle-aged man almost lost control of the vehicle as his hands trembled and hair seemed to flare up. Nina's clan was just too ruthless.

Focusing on the lights of the village that were quickly coming into view, he said, "Son, if by chance you attain the strength...Nina, I'm sorry, but-"

Nina knew exactly what he was going to say but she didn't seem as if she was against it. She had enough of her clan's meddling and torture throughout the years. But, she wanted to say it herself.

"It's fine, Zekko, I'll tell him. I know he'll remember our words, especially since he has our blood within him. Nero, son, it would be best if you stayed here and lived a fulfilling life but if you ever gained enough strength, please, I want you to eliminate every Lunarian you find. Especially your grandparents. There is not a single redeemable soul among them."

A cold glint flashed past Nina's eyes but her loving gaze quickly returned as she forced a smile and said, "But, in the end, even if you gain the strength to do so, you're free to do whatever you want. The decision is yours. No matter what you do, we will completely support you."

As soon as she finished her words, the vehicle entered the Hidden Cloud Village. Most of its dwellings resembled Native American tipi, while its roads were dominated by totem poles and a statue of Kalgara, an ancient member of their race.

The vehicle quickly arrived in the middle of the village and stopped at the largest hut, which belonged to the leader/elder of the village. Hearing the commotion, many villagers peeked out to look at the couple in the vehicle with looks of bewilderment upon their faces.

Nina quickly jumped out of the vehicle as a large elderly man with numerous tattoos and a cane walked out of the hut with a warm smile on his face.

"So this is your son, eh Zekko?"

Zekko smiled and responded, "Great Grandfather, the Lunarians don't know about my relationship with you, nor this village so please understand, that we have nowhere else to take him!"

The elderly man took one last look at Zekko and nodded, giving his approval. After all, how could he refuse to take care of his own great-great-grandson?

Nina kissed Nero on his cheek and said, "Take care, my son."

She then left Nero in the old man's arms, jumped back into the vehicle and Zekko immediately drove off, quickly leaving the village behind. The old man then immediately went back into his hut and sat with the baby, looking at it with a warm gaze.

Several seconds after they left, numerous figures donning black wings flew over the hidden village, each in similar vehicles to what Zekko was driving. They saw the village and the commotion with people leaving their houses, so it wouldn't take a genius to guess that the duo they're chasing passed through there.

A young man leading the group pulled out a small device in his hand and it immediately showed a moving red dot hearing north. A gloomy expression appeared on his face as he quickly turned around and shouted, "Quick, let's go!"

The army of Lunarians left and the village finally regained some semblance of peace, as the people eventually returned to their homes. In his hut, the elder read the note that was stuck on Nero's head and sighed. Nina was just too careful. The elder wondered what Nero would think of his mothers' last words when he eventually grew up.

Shaking those thoughts out of his head, the elder then looked at Nero and said warmly, "Welcome to Shandia, the little boy."