Disclaimer: I do not own Hellboy nor any of the characters involved. A little Nuada in my life couldn't hurt though ^.^

The main character is intentionally nameless and featureless, Nuada fangirls know why ;)

I hope you like it and don't forget to review, please...... o.o

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After the Golden Army awakened, a war began between an age old culture and the modern human society. It's safe to say that we have lost; now the world we knew is gone forever, it has developed back into the place it once was so many years ago.

The people I have been shackled to are prisoners like me being led to their death. Our captors are taking us to the great city for we are the largest group of human survivors left. We have traveled long and far losing many along the way. My companions tell me that since most of the human race has been extinguished what is left of the royal family will pick out a select few of us to become slaves and watch as those remaining are put to death.

The wind is rough here and it stings making my eyes water. The desert dunes go on for as far as the eye can see and the late afternoon sun is bright, beating down on us like a reminder that death looms. It's hot, hotter than any hell imagined before the war, but I suppose we won't have to imagine what hell's like for much longer.

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The nights before we made it to the forest were long and cold, the desert winds a persistent irritation. Before all this I would have marveled at the beauty of this rare and magical woodland but now sanctuaries like this have become more common, and today we face the great city and our fate.

The faces of my companions are empty for all hope has vanished. The golden city gates are tall, soaring above the tree tops and it takes four strong soldiers to open them for us. As we make our way into the city I can't help but stare in awe at the beauty of it all. There are creatures of every kind and color at each turn busy going about their daily activities. Inside this city you would never even have to bother yourself about the bloody war raging just outside those golden gates.

Six heavily armored guards stop us at the palace door and tell our captors that the Prince will arrive shortly. Prince Nuada, the reason for all of this death and blood. Warm tears start to trail down my dirty face as I realize that I'm going to die here with strangers as one of the last of my kind. I wipe them away quickly, crying will not help now and I must be strong for those around me. A gentle tug on my right wrist distracts me and I look down to see a small girl of about five with wispy blonde hair and bright blue eyes smiling innocently up at me. I smile back and squeeze her hand in mine, my strength.

Off in the distance someone blew a horn and an assembly arrived comprised of four guards and a tall well dressed figure with silver hair, obviously Prince Nuada. By now they had us lined up on our knees in the sand facing him.

"Get rid of the old and take the young to the Princess as she has requested."

I watched as the young girl was taken from my side and dejectedly cracked my dry lips into a smile as she waved goodbye. There were very few of us left now, most of those my age perished long ago throughout the early stages of the war. I hadn't noticed the prince staring down at me as I watched the frail girl struggle to keep up with her group. When he started to speak I became aware of his presence and immediately bowed my head.

"So precious."

His cool hand felt glorious against my heated skin as he brushed pale fingertips down along my jaw. I wasn't quite sure when my eyes closed but I opened them long enough to catch a glimpse of his golden ones. Not exactly the monster I expected.

"Guard!"

Not that any of that makes much of a difference. The last fragment of my resolve left with that little girl, she was it, nothing and no one left to be strong for now. I took a deep breath and tried to come to terms with what I must now face, bowing my head one last time waiting for the final strike, the one that will finish this once and for all.

"Get her cleaned up and see that she has fresh clothes. Bring her to me when you are finished."