How long had it been since they found this world? How long had they traveled the Krosmoz before it? When was the last time they caught a glimpse of their home world? Did most forget? Did some remember? Some did while others learned from those fortunate enough to live through the journey and the many attempts to find a new home. The reason behind their travel was never forgotten or ignored but many did not ponder about it as life was good and peaceful.

The Eliatropes made this world their new home, away from those who wished to harm them, abundant with the flow of the Krosmoz and that which was a part their ancestral Mother; Wakfu. Goddess Eliatrope had been generous with her gifts and creations and watched over her offspring until they had no more need for her guidance, leaving them to themselves on the lush prosperous world which future races would know as the World of Twelve. But back then, when the Eliatropes only just discovered it and built their home on this world, it had yet to be named.

How content the Eliatropes were. They enjoyed the time of peace, rebuilt what was taken from them and continued to test the boundaries of their manipulation of Wakfu. Their broken civilisation began to heal with time, the bad things which caused them to flee nothing more but bedtime stories for children… until it found them again and became truth once more.

The sky colored red that day.

A small group stood gathered upon the outskirts of the city which was built around a white mountain with cyan glowing runes; the Zinit, the very vessel which brought the Eliatropes to this world. It was a beacon of hope but hope was difficult to find while the group gazed towards the giant silhouette in the distance, the horizon blocked out by an army of mechanical but living constructs and many hairless creatures which had riled up behind the giant. The giant's scar could be seen from miles away, a gaping hole in the left side of its broad metal chest which was a sign of its hatred and thirst for vengeance. Its name was Orgonax and its appearance alone struck fear in all who witnessed the invasion.

The Mechasms. How often she had spoken about them towards the children she tutored. Even as she witnessed the frightening sight, in her mind she could hear her own caring voice repeat the tales and horrors of the past. Once upon a time on a world far away, the Eliatropes and the Mechasms lived in harmony alongside each other for countless of years until one day a terrible crime was committed and turned a large part of the Mechasms against the Eliatropes; a war was declared. After his heart was stolen from him, Orgonax swore to take his revenge upon the Eliatropes and forced them to flee their home world as they were powerless to stop the rage of Orgonax's people. Wherever they went, Orgonax followed... Nobody knew who was responsible for enraging and scarring the giant Mechasm, the truth well hidden by the one responsible. It had been so long. The Eliatropes hoped they had lost him after venturing the Krozmos for years, that he had given up and finally found his peace with the mystery of his missing heart but unfortunately it was a naive hope.

The female Eliatrope lowered her gaze downwards when she felt someone tugging at her robes, looking down to one of the children who stood huddled around and behind her. The children were young, mostly toddlers who had yet to develop their skill to control Wakfu or had only just begun to understand the psychics of it. She was their teacher and caretaker, spending most of her days with many young children to teach them about life, about color, shapes and runes; the simple things which would prepare them for the remainder of their childhood. She told them about the Mechasms before and while her stories had been colorful and easy to grasp, it was obvious the children could not comprehend what they were seeing; they were frightened.

They witnessed the army of Orgonax enter the atmosphere while they were out in the fields; at first it was pretty like a meteor shower across a clear blue sky until the earth shook and the 'falling stars' turned out to be massive living creatures which only had ill intentions. The teacher had urged the children to run once it became apparent that danger was approaching, determined to find their families and reunite them before the Mechasms would tear it all apart like they had done before.

"Alys, I am scared…"

Poor child. The female Eliatrope gave a feigned smile towards the sniffling toddler who was brave enough to admit how he felt before she knelt down in the tall grass and ran the back of her fingers along his cheek, saying with a small nod," I know, sweetheart... It is okay to be scared; we all are."

A young girl grabbed her after she lowered herself down, feeling the girl's hands desperately clutch for her while softly sobbing. "I want my mommy."

Alys hushed when she laid an arm around the girl, tenderly stroking the long brown hair which fell from the large hat she wore. "We will find your parents, Brava, don't worry… I want us all to stick together, no matter what happens; don't run off alone and look after each other, hold each other's hands." She watched as the children reached out for each other to take their hands while a few tried to hold hers, the smile she held not fading to keep the children calm. "Remember what I taught you...?" she asked when her fingers wrapped around the small hands which held her," together we are strong, together we can do anything. Never forget this, not even when things look bad. There is always-"

A loud echoing hum interrupted the young teacher before a sudden silence fell over the world, the colors around the small group turning pale before a red blinding flash shot overhead and caused the air to vibrate with a deafening sound. The strong gust of wind which whipped up felt hot, like a breeze sweeping over a scorching desert as it pushed against the Eliatropes on the hill. A few of the children's hats were blown up into the sky while the long blades of grass bent far back before the explosion which followed the flash changed the wind's direction. Alys protectively wrapped her arms around a few of the children while they tried to stand against the shockwave of the explosion in the distance, before raising her head to look over to where the first sign of devastation had hit. There was a lot of smoke but she could see the crater in the side of the mountains and hills in the far distance.

A high pitched scream among the sobbing children forced the Eliatrope to divert her attention, feeling the ground tremble as her eyes searched for the child which had screamed… only to find something terrifying was coming in their direction. Two lumbering constructs slowly made their way towards the hill, each step they took causing the earth to shake while their metal claws dug and tore into the soil. Right behind them were several skinny and disgusting looking creatures with long muzzles, large noses and black beady eyes; Lu-Fu, canine-like alien creatures from another world which Orgonax enslaved during his hunt for the Eliatropes. They moved more swiftly than the Mechasms as they were much smaller, clawing their way up the hill with ragged panting and gurgled growling.

"Goddess preserve us," Alys whispered with fear in her large eyes while staring up to the two Mechasms, so much smaller than Orgonax but still threatening and dangerous. She brought herself up to her feet and pushed a few of the children aside and behind her to rush forward without a thought after the children screamed and cried at the sight of the approaching Lu-Fu, meeting the furless canines head on when they came leaping up the side of the hill to snatch the defenseless and helpless Eliatropes. Wakfu began to materialize in front of her as she summoned her weapon, a triangle shaped shield forming before the translucent material solidified and slammed into the Lu-Fu she intentionally ran towards, forcing the creature to a stop. She turned the shield over to smack the spindly Lu-Fu down onto the ground, determined to protect the children she watched over and tutored even though she was scared to her wits.

"Run children! Head for the city!" she shouted while she took a few steps back and lunged herself forward to stop the other Lu-Fu scout, hoping to slow them down before the two Mechasms would reach the top of the hill. Yet from the corner of her eyes she could see the children, crying while clutching each other's hands like she told them to do. They were too terrified to move… The frightful worry for the children's well-being had her act rash as she sprinted to close the distance in between herself and the Lu-Fu before barging herself and her shield against it to knock it off its feet and down the side of the hill. She nearly lost her own footing after feeling the impact vibrate through the shield and her arm, sliding a little downwards the steep hill side while the Lu-Fu yelped with every tumble it took. Unfortunately, her attempt to buy time and save the children only gave time to the Mechasms and the other Lu-Fu to advance.

Alys scrambled up to return to the children, blood rushing through her veins while her heart pounded in her chest, pure fear her main drive behind her reckless actions. She wouldn't ever forgive herself if anything were to happen to the younglings she had sworn to look after. She could hear the Lu-Fu she tackled wheeze behind her, having regained its balance and continued its rush up the hill to take the children.

"Zaap!"

A voice suddenly thundered through the air, its location unknown but Alys did not question it; she knew who the voice belonged to after recognizing it and immediately acted without reluctance. Her shield dispersed when a rift tore open beside her, a circular portal rapidly forming before she threw herself into it to retreat from the fight, leaving the Lu-Fu she tried to slow down to themselves.

A swift shadow swept over the hill the moment Alys disappeared from sight after she entered the Zaap she created; a dragon. His brown and golden scales shone in the few rays of sunlight which shimmered through the clouds of smoke, hardly making a sound while he made his way downwards to the hill the Mechasms were approaching.

Dropping in from above, the male dragon made a swooping landing with his massive wings, hunching over the trembling children on all fours before his chest swelled with a deep inhale through the corners of his maw. Stretching his long neck, he parted his jaws and curled his tongue to spew a trail of fire at the approaching Lu-Fu, setting the grassy hillside ablaze while the young Eliatropes cowered underneath and behind him. The Lu-Fu didn't stand a chance and had nowhere to go, meeting the wall of fire which became their almost instant demise.

The dragon didn't flinch when a portal opened beside him, the female Eliatrope dressed in blue jumping out before she was swarmed by a few of the children hurrying towards her. She hushed to try and calm them, hugging and patting them before turning her attention to the dragon while he observed the two Mechasms as they pushed through the singed soil and burning grass. "Baudouin, thank the Goddess you found us."

"Take the children and run," the dragon said with a deep voice, not taking his eyes off the approaching constructs while his wings remained spread to look larger than he actually was," I'll hold them off."

Alys shook her head in objection, many hands holding her in place as the frightened children clung to her legs, arms and robes for comfort and support. "No… No, you know you can't fight them, not on your own! You'll get hurt, or worse! Please come with us… with me," she pleaded, her voice shaking along with the trembling ground. The two Mechasms were finally closing in on the gathered group, the scorched earth and patches of fire not slowing them down in the slightest. "Please Baudouin, don't do this," she tried again but all she got in return as a response was the dragon narrowing his eyes while his muscles tensed underneath his scales in preparation, stern and focused like he always was.

He abruptly pounced forward like a tightly wound spring, lunging himself at the two Mechasms to allow the children and their teacher to escape. "Run and don't look back!" he roared while his claws sunk away in the metal coating of the Mechasm and blasted fire at what was presumably the only optic of the living construct he chose as his first target.

She had to listen. "Hurry children," Alys ushered with a broken voice, the internal struggle to remain and help Baudouin nearly preventing her from doing her duty or from listening to him. She had to give a few of the children a nudge to thaw them from their spot as they were either frightened or watching in awe how the dragon threw himself at the two Mechasms for their sakes. She soon got them all to move, herding them in the opposite direction to flee down the hill and retreat to the city and the Zinit. She tried not to look back, to not listen to the sound of the dragon's roaring while the shredding of metal and the bangs of released shots could be heard echoing behind her.

War had erupted in the distance and was closing in on the city. Screams could be heard along with the sounds of battle though it was far away. When the small group left the grassy hills and reached the fields which surrounded the city of the Zinit, a few Eliatropes came running towards them and caused several children to pick up their pace while crying louder.

"Papa! Papa!"

It were mostly parents who had decided to leave the city in search for their children shortly after the fight against Orgonax began, meeting the young Eliatropes with open arms and concerned gazes. "Thank the Goddess you are alright," one of the adult Eliatropes muttered after he lifted his son up in his arms and made certain the toddler wasn't hurt before glancing towards the one he trusted to look over his child," it is absolute chaos out there."

"What is the situation?" Alys asked while she tried to keep her focus on the parents and children, her own worry tugging at her conscience as Baudouin was still fighting on his own. She should have faith in him but it was difficult to muster.

"Several of the Council have engaged Orgonax, along with their dragons. Orgonax is still searching for the one who stole his heart, claims it is here on this planet, among our people…"

"That's not all," another parent spoke up before she cringed and hooked her arms protectively around her two daughters when another beam of red flashed across the sky," rumors are spreading that one of the Council betrayed us! The King has ordered everyone to gather all the children behind the Zinit to escort them to Emrub."

"Emrub...?" Alys asked baffled, barely able to push aside the shock she felt after hearing the news there had been an act of betrayal among the Council of Six. Rumors were rumors, hopefully untrue and started in a fit of panic but it was still a troubling thought. The Council members were faithful and true; they were the first and only to be born from the union between Goddess Eliatrope and the Great Dragon. They were the Eliatropes' ancestors. Why would any of them betray their children and followers, their own people? It made no sense. "If the King wishes to send the children to Emrub, then that means the situation is critical… there is no time to lose. "

To Emrub… to force the children to flee into another dimension meant there was but only a sliver of hope for the Eliatropes left. Alys wisely kept the knowledge to herself, not wishing to demoralize the children and their parents any further though most adult Eliatropes knew what would be required of them to make the portal to Emrub; their Wakfu. It was a great sacrifice to make but hopefully with the help of the Eliacube, the most powerful relic the Eliatropes possessed, the toll would be less severe.

The sounds of battle only became louder as the adults and children ran back towards the city. The sky which was clear and vibrant blue had turned red from the waging fires and explosions along with pitch black clouds of smoke which rose up from the growing devastation.

Alys suddenly stumbled when a sharp jolt of pain went through her whole body, rattling her conscience and throwing her off guard. She panted after getting winded by the sudden pain and a sense of terror, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. "Baudouin…" she whispered, her eyes large in shock," Goddess no…" She turned herself around to look towards the hills she and the children fled from, feeling disorientated by the sudden overwhelming sensation.

A few of the parents and children came to a hesitant stop in their running after they noticed the teacher was struggling and glanced towards her to see what had happened. "What is wrong? We have to keep going!"

"I…" She clenched her eyes tightly shut while unwrapping her arms from around herself, the pain she felt along with the mental scream which cut through her mind lingering inside of her. Thoughts and feelings were clashing, making her uncertain yet a decision had to be made. "Please take the children and go," she managed to say before she forced herself to move her feet and push aside the reluctance to follow the path back towards the hills, there where the dragon was fighting the two Mechasms.

"Where are you going?!"

The shrill voice from one of the mothers had her glance back, her expression grim and torn as in the end she pushed aside her responsibilities to follow her own heart. "I have to help my brother!" she shouted back, the tears which were stinging her eyes apparent in her quivering voice," he needs me!"

"Are you mad? You'll get yourself killed!"

Alys had to hold back on an audible sob, not feeling proud about the fact she was leaving the fate of the children in other people's hands but Baudouin was a part of her. She could feel his suffering, his anguish and his pain. They were one mind and one soul; they were twins, born from the very same dragon egg, a Dofus. She couldn't lose him. "Watch over the children, please! I beg of you!" she pleaded, the shaking of their heads and disapproving looks not stopping her or changing her mind. Alys threw herself around to pick up a sprint before summoning a Zaap to quicken her return to the one who was her brother, zigzagging through the sky with the aid of several portals.

What she found was heart wrenching. The green lush hills had turned black or were been blown apart, laying in rubble with several visible small craters while patches of vegetation were still burning. Neither of the two Mechasms could be seen standing, their broken husks laying against the side or at the foot of a hill. She could feel the heat of the scorched earth through the soles of her shoes after the she brought herself downwards, slowly approaching the remainders of the Mechasms. The air stunk of molten metal and burning flesh, the unidentifiable corpses of burned Lu-Fu laying spread among the hills. She sought for her brother amidst the remainders of what had been an unfair fight, knowing the dragon was alive; she could still feel his presence, his Wakfu still a part of this world and her life.

A startled scream left her when one of the Mechasms Baudouin faced and brought down suddenly moved with a loud creaking, its metal limbs groaning in protest until the heavy construct toppled over and hit the ground with a loud slam, revealing the dragon who was pinned underneath. The golden webbing of his wings were torn while one of the wings was twisted and broken. Baudouin growled as he brought himself up after managing to push the Mechasm off, his whole body shaking. Several of his hard scales were missing, revealing his sensitive flesh and the wounds which were inflicted on him. He was bleeding, the heavy shaking of his whole body indicating he was in a bad shape.

"Baudouin…" Alys watched him from where she stood, her hands clasped over her mouth while tears were hazing her eyes; she was fearing the absolute worst.

Baudouin's breathing was slow and heavy after he turned his head to find the voice which belonged to his Eliatrope sister, seeing her standing among the destruction like the Goddess Eliatrope herself; pure, innocent and vibrant, a stark contrast against the dark backdrop. His upperlip curled up to bare his fangs and speak with a strained rumbling voice, having trouble speaking," you shouldn't have come he-" A hacking cough escaped him before his long spine hunched and his wings lowered, his body beginning to deform while pained groans left him and blood trickled down from his clenched jaws.

Alys gasped before she ran forward to get to her brother's side, shouting as she understood what he was trying to do," no, don't change! You're hurt! I'll get someone, just-" Her tears flowed while the dragon shrunk in size, feeling the pain he endured to change into the humanoid form he would mostly take on in her presence. "No don't! Please! You'll only make it worse!" She sobbed after she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying herself away against his shifting form in a frail attempt to stop him even though it was already too late.

Within moment the dragon became like a human, his skin the same color like his umber colored scales while several of his stumpy spikes were still visible on his shoulders and elbows. The wounds the Mechasms inflicted on him remained no matter the change; he was dying, she could feel it… He was struggling to remain in the land of the living, held up on his knees by the Eliatrope who was so much shorter than him. At least she was safe… His head dropped forward upon Alys' bare shoulder as a deep breath left him, his running blood staining her garments while he began to lose the battle against death.

"Baudouin!" She wrapped her arms tighter around him to not have him fall over when she felt him slip, gently guiding him down to lay him in her lap before cupping his face in her hands," don't close your eyes, please… don't." She couldn't believe this was truly happening. Even though the battle in the distance waged on, the truth was something she couldn't possibly accept. To think her other half was slowly being taken from her… no, it was too cruel to be reality.

"Don't cry…" his broken voice whispered while a trembling hand reached up to try and touch her face, feeling her desperately grab for it to press it against her wet cheek. She was so very precious to him but where she had trouble accepting the truth, he already made his peace with it. One can not fight fate…

The back of her sleeve was soaked with her bitter tears but no matter the attempts made, they kept trickling down her cheeks as her hazy gaze kept overflowing with a painful sadness. "You don't deserve this..." All she got was a sincere smile in return. It stabbed her so deep that she nearly choked on her tears and clenched her jaws tighter together to not raise her voice in suffering. Her fingers dug into his thick but battered skin, purple and a sickening dark brown from bruising. She prayed to the Goddess that she would never let go of him, that she could hold onto his spirit for eternity," brother-" A gentle hushing froze her trembling voice in her throat, the loud bangs and frantic screaming around them nothing but a whisper, a hollow cascade of sounds.

"Promise me," he wheezed while his eyes began to roll back into his skull, struggling to gain the breath needed to speak while wishing to gaze upon the one he lovingly called sister all these years," promise to not hold a grudge... You are too gentle for such dark feelings."

She sought for the words as she engraved her brother's face into her mind and locked it within her memories. To not hold a grudge… while the world around them was tumbling down. All because of one selfish being who started a centuries long war. One. So much was lost. Children were crying, people had died, dragons had fallen and within her lap and arms another one was about to be taken. She swallowed back the tears in vain while she gazed upon the turmoil and devastation around her before she whispered with a broken courage," I promise..."

She felt numb, her chest empty. She could feel him parting from her, her soul being torn in two ever so slowly. They were both dying, except that only one truly would. She still did not understand why it happened, why her poor brother and so many others had to be the ones paying the price for the foolishness of one single person. How could she not hold a grudge? How could she push back this hatred she felt boiling within herself? It hurt so much...

"I promise," she repeated after another sob escaped her, shuddering while she gazed down upon him as she wasn't able to hold back the tears and agony anymore; he was gone. "N-no…" she stammered while her face distorted and the shuddering of her shoulders overtook her whole body when the truth set in, the hold she had on her brother growing tighter as she screamed at him," No! Goddess no! Baudouin! Don't do this to me! Come back! Please! Come back!" She stared at him, his silence the only answer she would get to her pleas. It was over… she wouldn't see or hear him again until after death would claim her as well. She brought herself forth to bury her face away against the bloodied pale strands of Baudouin's hair, whispering while she held him close," don't leave me..."

She cried in remorse when she held his lifeless body in her arms. She cried when another flash of red cut through the air, the humming of it deafening. She cried when the earth shook and the rumbling of destruction echoed along with screams of agony and despair. She cried when the weight of the one she was born with began to lift and disappear as his life force mixed with the burning embers of the raging carnage. There was no end to her tears or suffering, even when she sat all alone among the remainders of two Mechasms, their husks as empty as her arms.

This was the day where many would fall, a terrible fate which would be forgotten over time except by those who were fortunate to survive and yet unfortunate to bear the burdens of their people's sins for centuries to come.

To be continued