Michael was aching all over. His side was the worst. It was throbbing and burning and he was sure his stitches would be torn if he kept this up. But he had to push on. His had to keep going and find Thomas before another Astral did. If they captured him and sacrificed him... Michael couldn't bare to think about it. He didn't care if Thomas had been taken by the Barian forces, he loved his big brother no matter what.

He was heading along the road parallel to the train tracks, heading towards Baria. If Thomas was captured by the Barians, it was likely he'd been taken to Baria or to see their father. So that was where he were heading. He didn't know where Kaito was but he didn't have time to think about that. Wherever Kaito had gone, he wasn't there when he needed him so Michael would have to do things one his own. He didn't know where Chris was either. Chris and the other Lords had vanished. They'd just vanished.

But Michael had better things to do now. Chris could look after himself. Michael needed to find Thomas. He hoped Takashi was alright. It had hurt to let him go like that but it was for his own good. He needed Takashi to be safe. This was the perfect opportunity for Takashi to be safe and get away from this disgusting brutal life. Takashi didn't deserve this. He had a family and people who cared about him. He could get out and live a normal life and no one would be any the wiser. Michael's entire life was tied to Astrals and this war.

The air crackled with magic and Michael threw his weight on the bike, managing to swerve away just as an all too familiar pillar of sickly neon green fire roared up. He skidded to a stop and turned to glare at Mr Heartland and his generals coming around the corner. He'd tried to avoid the little towns and villages but he needed restock on food. Just his luck they were here too.

He scowled and reached for the emergency gun he'd taken from the safe house. His best chance was to run really. He couldn't take on all four of them at once. One or two maybe but all four was dangerous.

"What a lovely surprise to see you out here, little Michael," Mr Heartland chuckled, twirling his cane. "No sign of your little partner, how unfortunate. Or your troublesome brother. You'll have to do though. I'm sure we can find something fun to do with you."

"I'd rather die than be used as a piece of bait again," Michael hissed, leaning forward slightly, ready to tear off again. "I won't be a burden on my brothers."

"Don't be so dramatic," Mr Heartland sighed.

Semimaru laughed, cracking his knuckles. "How's your side, little one?"

"No the one I wanted," Kurage hissed. "But he'll do."

"We'll find his little partner once we're done with him," Mr Heartland hissed. "Focus on the job at hand. Don't let your guard down. He's still Byron's brat after all."

Michael clenched his jaw and spun the bike, tearing off down the road. The magic crackled again and he swung aside in time to avoid the appearance of the little ninja. In his moment of distraction, a watery whip snapped around his wrist, pulling him fro the bike as it went tumbling over itself. Kaito was going to kill him for damaging his bike. He pulled off his helmet and threw it aside and scrambling to his feet. Another flick of Kurage's watery whip was met by Michael's own powers, throwing up a barrage of rocks, no longer caring about causing damage to the surrounding areas, tearing up the road with his powers. Mr Heartland yelled something and Michael turned to run but Heartland's neon flames blocked his way. Michael hissed, stepping back and gripping his side hesitantly as it burned.

"Come now, little one," Mr Heartland laughed. "You're in pain. Just give up."

"Never!" Michael hissed, raising the gun.

"Don't be silly, kid," Kaninja laughed, reappearing behind him.

Michael twisted in an attempt to get a clean shot but he drove his hand into Michael's side, right against his wound. He doubled over and whips of water wrapped around his limbs, pulling him back and the poisonous barbs dug into his skin.

"There now," Mr Heartland laughed and Semimaru picked him up to throw him over his shoulder. Michael hissed as his side burnt once more. "Now you be a good boy and we'll take care of you. We're going to have some fun on this journey home, hmm?"

Michael's limbs had gone numb and he couldn't move to fight but he glared up at him. "I'm going to kill you all."

"Oh, you're a silly little child," he chuckled, petting his hair. "Let's get going."


"Wake up, Takashi dear." Takashi groaned and opened his eyes to see his mother above him, smiling warmly. "Good morning, dear."

"Hi," he groaned. "What time is it?"

"Seven," she replied. "I made you some coffee, I hope you haven't changed who you like it. You slept a long time, I figured it was best to wake you early."

"Thanks," Takashi murmured, sitting up slowly. His mother smiled, adjusting his pillows so he sit comfortable before handing him a mug. "Thank you."

"It's alright," he said, shaking her head. She leant in and kissed his forehead gently. "Do you want to talk. You were something of a mess yesterday. Something about a broken heart? I thought that Michael boy was quite nice. What happened?"

"I..." He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment before taking a sip of his drink. "I've been mad about him for a long time. I didn't know if he felt the same but a part of me hoped. But then he got so aggressive towards me and didn't want to be around me for some reason and then he kissed me and kicked me out telling me to be careful and stay away from the war."

"It doesn't seem to be a war anymore," she murmured. Takashi nodded, staring down at his coffee. "The Barians have control of the southern kingdom. If what I've heard is true, the Astrals have pulled back to the north."

Takashi nodded. "I got a message to head up to the academy, that's their new base, and other stuff. And they... they said Thomas was one of the Barians now and needed to be captured."

"Thomas?"

"Michael's big brother."

"Oh." He closed his eyes eyes and his mother sighed. "I see. It must be rather tricky then." He nodded slightly. "Michael won't let them capture him."

"No," he murmured. "He'll find him and hide him rather than hand him over."

His mother nodded and he smiled sadly. He didn't know how to help anymore. It seemed there wasn't anything he could do. Michael was probably long gone from the safe house and no doubt went after Thomas the second he realised he was in danger. Michael didn't want him around and Takashi supposed he needed a break. He hadn't realised how tired he was until he'd curled up in bed. The past few weeks had been exhausting after all. Maybe time at home was just what he needed to recover so he could come back stronger. He needed to figure out this new development in his powers while he was here.

"Oh, there were some letters for you while you were away," his mother said softly. "Umm..." She glanced around and Takashi reached for the pile of envelopes on the bed. "Oh, thank you. And where did my-"

"Here," he murmured, gently pushing her glasses down from the top of her head. Not that she really needed glasses if they were his. It was a wonder she got on without him. "I'm alright, Mum, I can do these myself."

"I know, I know," she said, shaking her head. "But there are some birthday cards in there too, I want to see you opening them. I want to see you smile again, sweetheart."

He nodded and began to slowly open up the envelopes to find most of them were uninteresting and he didn't know how he ended up with so many letter. But there were birthday cards. From his dad and big sister and the family and a few friends. Very few people knew he'd been drafted in by the Astrals. He didn't know why he had been. Perhaps they knew he had these powers in him just like Michael did.

"Oh, I met Alice at the shop last night," his mother said as he set aside the cards.

"Alice?"

"Cathy's mum."

"Cathy?"

He stiffened up slightly. "Mm, you remember Cathy right? The young lady who rather liked cats?"

"Yes. Yes, I remember," he said, nodding slightly.

He and Cathy had been at school together when they were children. He was a Sorcerer though and she wasn't. Although he wondered about that because she talked to cats. He could never figure out if that was magic or she was just a little strange. Eccentric, his mother called it. Because people with money are eccentric not strange, she said. Takashi had come to notice that. People were far more forgiving of strange behaviour if you have money.

"I invited her over tomorrow, since I thought you'd need time to settle but you need to get back to socialising with normal people again," his mother said, patting his hair. "Come down and have some breakfast, we can talk and make you feel better and now your home we'll get you settle. You can fix the TV while you're here. It's been playing up again and I can't for the life of me figure out. You can fix it for me, can't you, Takashi?"

"Yeah, of course," he said with a small smile. "You know you can just call a technician, right?"

"Well of course, but why bother when my little Pudding can do it so well?" she chuckled, pinching his cheek.

"Mum," he whined, pushing her off. "I'm too old for you to be calling me Pudding still."

"Oh, but darling-"

"Mum."

"Fine." She sighed and patted his head. "Just come on down for breakfast, ok?"

He nodded and his mother left him to it. Takashi smiled and waiting until she shut the door before tossing the birthday cards from his father on the floor. He'd never bothered with him before why should Takashi care now he wanted to act like some sort of dad? He closed his eyes for a moment before returning to his coffee. It had been along time since he'd got time to have a coffee in bed and not worry about what training schedule Michael would put him through. Even on days off they'd spend time training and planning and travelling. There was rarely a day to himself. Not that he minded spending time with Michael. He loved him. But the peace and quiet was nice.

The cat flap in the door opened and the silky ginger cat jumped up onto the bed with him. He smiled and Cadence flopped on the bed next to him, offering up her tummy for Takashi to rub.

"I miss you," he laughed softly. Cadence purred and twisted, laying her paws over his hands. "You'll always love me, huh girl?"

"Takashi," his mother called.

"Coming!"

Cadence glared up at him as he slipped out of bed, finishing off his coffee and dressing for the day. He supposed if he wasn't going to return to the Astrals any time soon he'd have to get used to a more normal life again.

He hurried down the stairs to the smell of his mothers cooking and slipped in the kitchen just as she plated up. He smiled and sat at the breakfast bar as she pushed the plate in front of him and took his coffee for a refill.

"So, would you like to talk a little more about Michael? Or how about you tell me all about your adventures since you've been away?"

"It's been..." He sighed and shook his head. "Everything has just been spiralling out of control. I don't know what to make of it anymore."


Little Michael wasn't really so little anymore. Mr Heartland remembered when he was a tiny little creature. What Mr Heartand would have called the runt of the litter. He'd grown older now. He was tall and broad and had grown impressively. He was still little Michael though.

The poison began to wear off around lunch and Michael had begun to struggle. So they'd decided to take a break for some lunch. Kurage gave Michael another shot of medicine. Michael was lying at the side of the log Mr Heartland was sat on, Kurage at his side and tending to his wound. Looking after him properly would gain some favour with Byron if nothing else. Where once the three of them had worked well together, Byron had become withdrawn and cold towards him and Faker.

"Do you know, child, the only difference between medicine and poison is how it's used?" Kurage said, cleaning the once again open wound.

"You use it for the Barians," Michael hissed. "It's poison."

"You shouldn't be so rude," he said, shaking his head. "I'm only doing what's best for you."

"I wouldn't trust some Barian hack with my health," he snarled.

Mr Heartland laughed. He didn't have his usual bite behind his words. Kurage's sedatives kept him from getting too worked up. Kurage tutted and continued his work. "Quite the poisonous little tongue. You know, I trained as a doctor. I'm perfectly capable of looking after you."

"He reminds me of our little bunny," Kaninja laughed. "He's got a sharp tongue these days."

"These days?" Heartland said, turning to him. "You know where Bunny is?"

"Ka," Semimaru hissed. "Where's the rabbit?"

Mr Heartland scowled. Their little rabbit had been missing since the breakout. Heartland still remembered him all too well. The little boy had been thrown into his generals' cell after lunch, terrified and alone and so tiny. He was in floods of tears, telling the guards over and over that he hadn't done anything wrong and didn't need to be locked up but he'd been thrown in and had scrambled to hide in a corner. He was a rabbit in the headlights. Cute and scared and weak. Everything he shouldn't have been in this place, handed over to them. Heartland had lost interest quickly; he might have been Infernal but his powers were restrained so he was no use to them. But his generals, back then simply his partners in crime, had taken something of a liking to him.

Then Durbe had burst in with his pet Mizael and all but destroyed the prison, claiming it for the Barian forces. They'd lost sight of Bunny in the chaos and when they returned to search for him in the ruins of the prison, little Rei was nowhere to be found. There was no sign of him and they have never seen him again. They had searched, they had asked around for information from anyone they could find, searching for his family or people who knew him but it was like Rei didn't exist. Heartland had given up but his generals still wanted to find him.

"Lord Vector," Kaninja muttered and Michael snorted. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," he sneered. "Just wondering about how you get away with calling him a rabbit? If I tell him, will he have your heads?"

"When Kurage is done with him, you can shut him up," Mr Heartland told Semimaru.

"Oh really," Kurage sighed. "You'll tear these beautiful stitches. If you leave him alone he'll be fully healed in a few days."

"I won't him too bad," Semimaru sneered. "I'll just settle him down."

"I can sedate him," he argued. "He'll be perfectly fine. You keep your big clumsy paws and disgusting invasive powers off my patient."

"Your patient?"

"As long as I'm fixing him up, he's my patient."

"Is no one else more interested in what Ka just said about our little rabbit being Lord Vector?" Mr Heartland interrupted. "This could prove very useful indeed. Rei owes us. We're his family-"

"Your funeral," Michael sneered.

"Shut up, brat," he snarled, raising his cane but Kurage caught it. "What are you-"

"My patient," he hissed.

Heartland growled and snatched his cane away, leaning Kurage to finish off his work on Michael's side. His mind drifted off to Lord Vector. Really? Little Rei Shingetsu was now a Lord? Very impressive for a whimpering little child crying out for his father. Still, despite his obviously scared, weak nature, there was a fire in him. He'd fought violently when Semimaru plucked him up off the floor and forced him to sit on the bed so they could appraise him. He had fire in his eyes. He was a fighter, even through the pain. It was rather amusing to see what he'd become.

"You're done now, right?"

"Don't you dare," Kurage hissed.

Heartland glanced up to find Kurage putting himself between Semimaru and Michael. "Come on, it'll make him easier."

"For a few hours," he snapped. "We all know you're powers don't last-"

"And you're calling yourself the most power Aqua Sorcerer while being outdone by a child," Semimaru snapped back.

"Let him have some fun," Heartland sighed. "Or he'll be pouting like a child for the rest of the journey. And it will make him easier to handle."

"You undo all my work and I'll have your head," Kurage hissed.

"He's right, don't damage him," he agreed. Semimaru nodded and Kurage stepped aside to let him pulled Michael up into his arms, taking him off into the surrounding woodland and out of sight. He liked to work alone. And Heartland didn't like to see it. There were a few minutes of silence before Michael screamed and cried out hoarsely before he was silenced and Kurage cringed. "Such a shame he wouldn't cooperate. So, how did you find out Rei and Vector were one and the same?"

"I saw his hood down," Kaninja replied. "Up at the shrine. He had his hood down and I recognised him. You're not going to make a big deal out of this and get him worked up, are you?"

"Why not? He owes us a lot. I don't see what's wrong with getting something out of all our kind work with him."

"Michael might not be so far off on that, Heartland," Kurage warned. "He's not the soft little kid we took in. He's brutal."

"Don't be silly. Our little rabbit loves us."


Thomas was up and about when Vector went to visit that night. Haruto was in tow, clinging onto his hand. He had promised to let him see Thomas, after all. The healer were still hanging around as well, watching over Thomas as he played with his dog in the entrance hall. Vector smiled absently, noticing Byron watching from the gallery above as well.

"Thomas!" Haruto cried, running across the hall.

Thomas lifted his head and smiled warmly, opening up his arms so Haruto could throw himself into his hold. He laughed and pulled him up into his arms. Haruto buried his head into Thomas' shoulder and Thomas held him close. He lifted his head and smiled up at Vector as he approached.

"Hi," Vector said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," Thomas replied. "I'm still kinda wobbly." He lowered his head and Vector frowned, sitting on the steps with him as he dropped his voice to a rather awkward whisper. "I don't trust any of them, Vector. Dad only wants this ideal little family he'd always imagined and those generals of his are trouble."

"Thomas-"

"And I'm worried about Mamoru."

The Chaos in his mind was still taking its toll on his mind then. It'd fade over time. He seemed more lucid and wasn't looking confused and scared and hurt anymore. He wasn't lashing out and open everyone using him. He certainly seemed more in control. Even if he was still holding onto Vector as the one who made reached him.

"You're a Barian," Haruto whispered, his fingers brushing Thomas' marking. "I thought you were fighting it."

"He gave in because I asked him," Vector said, nuzzling against Thomas' cheek.

Thomas laughed softly and tilted his head to kiss his forehead. "Some terrifying Lord. You're as soft as Lady over there."

"You're the only family I have," he replied. "And you're Aunt Mina's. I really loved Aunt Mina. She protected me as much as she could."

"What happened to her?"

Vector hesitated and Thomas gazed at him in silence, waiting for him to answer. He didn't know what to say. If he told Thomas the truth, would it just upset him more? He sighed and closed his eyes, nodding slightly. He needed the truth. Thomas had only ever wanted the truth.

"She's dead," Vector sighed. "My father killed her when I was a kid."

Thomas nodded sadly and Vector smiled. He'd wished he could have given Thomas an opportunity to meet her. She really was the most amazing woman. He'd never met his mother but Mina was the woman who'd looked after him. She was strong and fiery and full of laughter. And after a moment his smile brightened and he told Thomas all about her. About how much he loved her and what an amazing woman she'd been. It seemed to please Thomas to finally have someone telling him the truth. He was so glad Thomas trusted him and trusted his word.

Haruto was still buried in Thomas' arms clinging to him as they sat together in the hall. Thomas seemed happy with him as well. Even the dog- Vector assumed that was the Lady he was referring to- came to sit with them and for a few moment Vector could feel almost like he had a real family.

"Are you alright, Haruto?" Thomas whispered finally. "And Kaito-"

"Kaito's dead," Haruto said. Thomas stiffened, his eyes widening. Vector was afraid of his. Thomas' feelings for Kaito could become a wedge between them. "They killed him. You were right. He was a fake."

"Yeah, well, no one listens to me," he huffed. "I knew my own creation."

"You're... you made that fake?!" he cried. "Why?!" He sighed and lowered his head. "Kaito never talked about what happened when Heartland captured you and I guess I understand why now but... I always figured something awful must have happened for you two not to ever talk about it. I thought it was something so terrible to get such weird reactions when people asked what they did to you. I stopped asking, you know? But if they forced you to make a fake Kaito-"

"No," Thomas said firmly, shaking his head. "It was nothing to do with Heartland. It started out as a fake Yuma so he could escape but then they changed it." He paused and turned to glared at Vector. "What did you tell him?"

Vector shrugged. "Go play for a minute, Haruto. Me and Thomas need to talk, ok?"

Haruto glared at them for a moment before nodded and taking Lady away to play. Thomas was glaring at him still and Vector smiled sheepishly. Well, he supposed he had to open up and trust Thomas to an extent, didn't he? Thomas was his precious cousin he'd done so much to be with. He should be able to trust him if no one else.

"I told him Kaito died two years ago when Heartland had you," Vector said, shaking his head. "That he was a fake and a spy for us."

"You bastard," Thomas hissed.

"It doesn't matter, Kaito's going to die in a few days anyway."

"What?!"

"It wasn't my decision," Vector argued quietly. "I mean, even if I tried to stop you it, I'd be out voted. It was a unanimous decision. I can't change that. He dies the day after tomorrow."

"Vector, you can't-"

"I have to. It'll be quick but he's going to die. I'm sorry." He sighed and Thomas closed his eyes. "I was going to let you see him though." His head lifted slightly and his eyes cracked open as Vector smiled. "I was going to ask you to come back to Baria with me tomorrow and was going to suggest you... I don't know, indulged yourselves for the night."

"There's really nothing we can do?"

"I'm sorry. If I'd known sooner that we'd be in this situation I'd have tried harder to save him for you. But, you'll come to Baria tomorrow? You'll be with me when it happens?" Thomas stared at him for a moment before nodding slowly. Vector beamed and wrapped Thomas up in his arms. He didn't care about much other than Thomas, right now. He knew there were plans, he had to be focused and ready to fight but he finally had the family he'd always wanted. "I love you, Thomas. I'm so glad we finally have each other. I've wanted this for so long, you wouldn't believe it."

"Vector..."

"Rei," he whispered. "My name is Rei. You can call me Rei when it's just us." Thomas nodded slightly and Vector was almost overjoyed when Thomas slid his arms around. "There's so much I need to tell you, Thomas. I want to tell you everything. And I want to know everything about you too."

"Boys." They pulled apart and looked up to find Byron just a few steps above them. "It's time for dinner, if you want to join us, Rei."

"U-Uncle," Vector murmured, cheeks going red. He suddenly felt like a tiny child. Thomas smiled at him and pulled him up from the stairs. "I..."

"Come on," Thomas laughed, pulling him away towards the dining room. "Haruto!"

"Coming!" Haruto called, running after them and catching Thomas' hand.

"Don't worry, Haruto," he murmured. "We'll look after you. Kaito wouldn't want you to be lonely."

Haruto nodded and Vector smiled. Now he had Thomas everything felt better. He charmed Haruto and made Vector feel normal and content and even Tomas seemed to like having Vector around. Byron seemed to like having the house filled with children again. The idea that this could one day be his life warmed his heart. He could get used to this.


"I though you promised you weren't going to tear the stitches," Kurage hissed. "This is never going to heal at this rate."

He didn't get an answer from any of his partners and he scowled. He was so unappreciated around here. When Semimaru had brought Michael back his clothes and hair were dishevelled and Kurage could already see marks were bruises would form on his face and sides and no doubt under his clothes as well. Such a brute. He could barely fight back after Kurage had numbed him so he could deal with his injuries. He could barely move, let alone fight someone who towered over him like Semimaru. He didn't need to be so rough with him.

But, it had accomplished what they wanted. Michael had returned with dull, lifeless eyes and no fight left in him. It was unlikely that he'd recover for a few days. He was little more than a rag doll in this state but Kurage still considered him his patient and would tend to him and talk to him. He could feel and hear even if he was in no state to respond.

"I'm sorry you have to put up with such a hideous brute," he murmured, restitching the wound on his side and cleaning it once more. "Sometimes I wonder why I waste my talent with this lot. I could have been the greatest doctor and instead I have a criminal record and have to put up with uncultured dolts like these."

"I hope you're not including me in that," Kaninja said, sitting cross legged on the ground next to him. Kurage smiled and shook his head. He could certainly tolerate the little ninja more than the other two. Perhaps he just had a soft heart for youngsters. He was still pissed off with Michael's little partner for having forced him to cut his hair but he tending to Michael still. "How is he? Can I help?"

"Here," Kurage said, handing him a few disinfectant wipes and pulling off Michael's red hoodie to reveal the bruises and scrapes on his arms. "You can clean them off. Just make sure there's no dirt in them to infect them or stop them healing."

He nodded and got to work as Kurage had instructed, cleaning off the grazes gently. He doubted they would be in need of much cleaning but it was something to do. The poor child was going to be sore all over.

"He didn't need to make this much of a mess of him." Kurage glanced up and Kaninja scowled. They'd just moved Michael so they could clean his back and there were some nasty scrapes and grazes on his back and one nasty cut. Obviously from being forced against the ground. He sighed and got to work cleaning them up gently and giving him another dose of painkillers. "He couldn't even fight him. I'd like to see him try that with someone who could fight back." Kurage smiled and nodded. "He tries to throw his weight around with me and I'd cut something off."

He flicked a knife out from somewhere concealed and Kurage nodded once more. Semimaru seemed to enjoy making others suffer. Kurage certainly wouldn't put it passed him to turn on his partners if there was no one else for him to enjoy himself with. Not that Mr Heartland wasn't just as bad at times. Sometimes he concerned leaving him to it but they were his family. The only place he'd ever truly belonged really. Although the news that Lord Vector was little Rei made him wonder if there were better places to be.

"You think those two have long to live?" Kurage muttered. He didn't really want to bring it up but he had to. The Barians planed were moving forward and he wasn't sure how long it would be before they were surplus to requirement. "They weren't exactly kind to Rei."

"We weren't either," Kaninja said softly, putting away his knife and returning to cleaning Michael's back. "I mean, if he sets his mind to revenge, a lot of people have done him wrong. He's already got his way on executing Lord Nasch and that was just Nasch being in the way of his need for power. We're in the firing line once he's gone."

"We at least tried to protect him," he replied. "Those two were the worst. All the more reason to start putting some distance between them and us."

"They're our partners, it's always been the four of us."

"And didn't you just suggest Semimaru might turn on us? Let's be honest, if it was the other way around do you think they'd hesitate for a second to shove us under the bus?"

Kaninja sighed and nodded. He knew it was true. Those two were ruthless and would get rid of anyone in their way. It was how Heartland had become leader. He'd been too friendly with the Lords and stepped over everyone in his way.

"It's a shame," Kurage sighed, changing the subject as he redressed Michael, happy he was reasonably cleaned up. "I don't see why we have to walk this trip. If we could just portal back to Baria we could dump him and Semimaru wouldn't have been able to hurt him. Then we could have got back to looking for that brat of a partner of his."

"Heh, maybe we'll get lucky and bump into him."

"Takashi..." Michael breathed.

They scowled and leant over him. That was unusual after someone spent time with Semimaru. But then, Michael had an incredibly strong mind, they knew that already. Perhaps he could fight it. But his eyes were still dull and lost and lifeless. He still didn't move or offer resistance as they moved him. It was just a moment then. Nothing to worry about.

"He's fine," Kurage murmured, petting Michael's hair. "If they leave him alone he should recover fully." Kaninja nodded. "Come on, let's get some food before they eat all tonight's meal."

They got up, leaving Michael on the edge of the camp and went to sit by the fire for dinner. They didn't know why the Lord insisted they walk, something about picking up any Astrals wandering around. Well, they had bumped into Michael while heading home. Still, it would have been nicer to have remained at Astral HQ. Apparently Merag had something she wanted to do that required her to be alone.

"How is the brat?" Mr Heartland sneered.

"If you let him rest, he'll recover fully," Kurage replied. "Keep your hands off him from now on. Those powers of yours are no good for anyone."

Semimaru snorted. "It was fun though."

"He's gone," Kaninja muttered.

They turned to him and the youngest was staring off towards the spot where they'd left Michael. Kurage turned fully. He was gone. Michael was gone. That wasn't possible. He couldn't move under his own power. There was no way the child's mind was that strong. He couldn't have recovered that quickly, could he?

"It's a good job we didn't tell anyone we had him or we'd definitely be demoted for losing him a second time," Heartland sighed. "Find him!"


Michael tore through the sparse woodland as quickly as he could in such a bad state. His body was aching and sore and his mind was still lost but he ran. He had to get away. That was all he knew. If he didn't get away he was going to die or be given to his father as a Barian. He needed to get away.

The path was rocky and uneven and he tripped and stumbled, knowing Heartland and his generals wouldn't have missed him for long. He had to go. He had to get out of there.

He could already hear footsteps behind him. He didn't want to think what would happen to him if he was caught again. This time he wouldn't be given a chance to escape. But he was without a weapon and barely strong enough to put up a decent fight. He had very few options.

There was roaring up ahead and Michael's stomach dropped. He knew where he was now. It was the Fortune River up ahead. It was a furious, fast river, probably flooded at this time of year. Most of the river had high cliffs either side and nasty rocks hidden in the rapids. He was going to come to a cliff and be trapped.

And soon enough he reached a jagged cliff. He stopped just short of the edge, staring down at the river below. There were no crossings nearby. There was nothing and Heartland and his generals were closing in fast.

"Where did you think you were going to run to, little one?" Mr Heartland said.

Michael turned, staring at the approaching four. He had no choice. Either he plunged to his death or let them capture him again. There was no way in hell he was letting them get their hands on him. There was no other option. He smiled bitterly, turning to the four and undoing the clasp on his bracelet, tears tripping down his cheeks. All the death and destruction they'd faced in the past weeks, all the Astrals who'd laid down their lives for the Astral world jut because of some strange sense of justice and fate... would they even notice one more life?

"What are you up to, brat?" Heartland snarled.

He smiled bitterly and kissed the gem before dropping it into dirt. Semimaru stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a hideous grin and Michael stepped back, crushing the gem in the bracelet underfoot with a heartbreaking crunch.

The four must have realised what he intended to do because Kaninja darted forwards and Kurage sent watery whips out in an attempt to stop him but Michael wasn't going to be stopped now. He'd made up his mind. He wasn't going to be captured again. He wouldn't be a burden on his family and loved ones ever again.

His powers flared and the cliff edge crumbled beneath them. The four stumbled back and Michael smiled, falling with the rocks and debris towards the raging river below.

"Stop him!" Heartland yelled above him. "One of you stop him!"

"There's nothing we can do!" Semimaru yelled back.

"There's no way he can survive that," Kurage said. "Even if we use our powers we'd die too. It's certain death. Byron's going to kill us."

Michael couldn't hear anything more. The wind whistling passed his ears and the roar of the river fast approaching drowned out everything else. He closed his eyes and smiled, letting his body go limp as the fell to his end.

"I'm sorry, Thomas."