Xenudah let out a soft, fragile sigh as he gazed at a slightly wrinkled photograph of him and his father. He traced the edges gently with the tips of his fingers, almost afraid to touch it. "Dad… I miss you so much." He whispered softly as tears streamed down his face, and his eyes burned even more than they had been before. "I-I'm so sorry I lashed out at you…" He sniffed, trying his best not to cry as he clutched the photo to his chest. He wanted to go home so badly right now. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find the energy or willpower to walk. "I love you, Dad…" His voice cracked as another sob racked through him. "I wish you were here…" He paused.

Silence.

Xenudah choked on another sob as he pulls on his fragile temperament. He couldn't help it. It just all came pouring out like some sort of dam that had burst and was about to flood the area. Tears flowed freely. And he hated it. The fact that it happened. That he allowed himself to become this vulnerable to such trivial things. It made him feel worthless and pathetic. And that feeling was what he feared most.

He knew it wasn't going to get better anytime soon. No matter how many times he said it, no matter how many times he cried, nothing would ever make up for the time his father had left. Or how broken he was. So, why waste time with such emotions? What was the point? Why bother thinking about those days if it wouldn't change anything?

He'd just have to put it aside for now until his family was together once more. Until he could truly move past it—push through it, and be happy with them again. They weren't gone forever; just for a little while longer.

But it was difficult for him.

His eyesight became blurry, his body trying to alert him that he was tired. Exhausted, in fact. But there was no way he was going to sleep tonight. Not when he knew tomorrow would be just as tough. He didn't want to sleep. Not yet. If he slept, he might dream of his father again. He shuddered at the thought. The memories flooded into his mind as he continued to cry. He hadn't forgotten. Never. How could he forget something like that?

He shut his eyes, remembering a happier time he shared with his father to put his mind at ease.

Xenudah, just six years old, was laying on the grass on the outside of the cave, playing with the blades, twirling them through his fingers. Yakunan watched with a gentle smile on his face.

"Xenu, is everything alright?" asked the former Overlord.

"Yeah…kinda?"

Yakunan frowned lightly, walking over to the small child and kneeling next to him. He reached out and took his hand in his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. Xenudah looked up and stared into his father's eyes. They showed worry. Concern. Affection. A hint of understanding.

They held eye contact for a moment. Then, Yakunan spoke. "I know we haven't seen much of each other, but don't worry, I won't abandon you. Not ever. You will always have me."

And he pulled the boy into a hug. The boy melted against his chest and let go of those tears he'd kept inside. His sobs turned into sniffles. And after a few minutes, when he was able to take a deep breath, and calm down, he wiped at his tears, sat up, smiled, laughed quietly, and gave his dad a tight, brief hug.

"Sweetheart…" Yakunan cooed, gazing down at his child with a soft smile. "I love you so much, my little one… I never want to let you go… I promise to never leave your side…" He brushed his son's hair, pulling him closer as though he could protect him from all that might happen to him.

He had to try. For Xenudah. For his sake if nothing else. That would be enough.

Xenudah smiled fondly at the memory. Memories that were painful now, but moments like these were moments that helped to bring him back down to earth. To remind him that the people who loved him were still alive, and well, and waiting for him to return home. He knew it wouldn't be long before he was together with his family once more.

Xenudah's thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched scream, and he gasped, shooting up, alerted by the noise.

He looked around the campsite, panicked, confused. Where did the sound come from?! His eyes widened in fright as his heart started to race faster and faster, his breathing coming quicker and heavier.

Where was everyone?! What was happening!? Was someone there?! Was he alone?! What was going on!?

So he took his stuff and ran.

It felt like hours passed. Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? He had no idea anymore. Time seemed to stop, but he knew it wasn't the case. Everything was moving at an excruciating pace.

He didn't realize when he began crying again. Crying, because he was alone…so scared, so lost.

He couldn't tell whether or not he was running in circles in an attempt to find somewhere safe to hide or where he was headed, and that just terrified him. He stopped for a split second and looked behind him. He blinked a couple of times and then realized that he was actually heading forward. Toward the screaming. Towards the fear. Towards the chaos. He didn't know why, he didn't know why he'd run that fast or why his feet were carrying him toward that terrifying sound.

Xenudah stopped. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. Slowly he opened his eyes, looking ahead in search of whatever was causing such horrible sounds.

What was he even supposed to do!?

He couldn't see anything! Nothing but darkness all around. Only blackness and the sounds of screams and wails filled the air. His head hurt. He could barely hear anything over the constant screaming, but it was clear that it was getting louder. Much louder. Like…he didn't know. Something was wrong.

"Someone help! Please! Somebody, please! HELP ME! PLEASE!"

Xenudah froze. He didn't know what to do. What should he do?!

What could he do? He was surrounded by utter darkness. There was literally nowhere he could hide. He could hardly see any further ahead than the length of his arms. He needed light, or at least some kind of source of light—some way to determine where he was. He wasn't sure which direction he should go. Where could he start?

His eyes widened as he looked past a clearing. There they were. But–

Oh no…

"LEAVE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ALONE!" Xenudah shrieked, charging through the bushes and trees, his fists clenched angrily at his sides as he screamed and glared furiously at whoever dared come anywhere near his family. His eyes glowed a deep indigo, a swirl of energy of the same color erupting from his fingertips.

The force of his anger, determination, rage. The sheer hatred, loathing and despair he felt towards whoever or whatever had caused such awful screams that sent tremors throughout his entire body.

Whoever had done this, whoever had harmed his family, he would kill. Kill them all. He'd tear them apart limb from limb. They'd never come near him, or his family, again. They would die slowly agonizing deaths, screaming their heads off and begging to be set free. Xenudah would gladly give that. To anyone who was responsible for putting those cries into existence. Even if he wasn't able to do it, he wouldn't let anyone else suffer like that. Ever.

Not again.