A/N - Dammit, buggrit, millenium hand and shrimp (and no, the last is not supposed to make sense). I can't believe I've left you all dangling for almost a year. Ok, granted, I've had tons of homework, a boyfriend to be with and break up with and some other problems, but I don't know if it qualifies as an excuse. In any case, here is chapter 10 for you all - I hope you enjoy it, still want to read it and perhaps even leave me a review, even if it is to scold me for not updating.

DEDICATION - I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Emera D'Anae, simply because she followed the story for a long while (I don't know if you still do) and she helped me get the energy to keep writing on it instead of abandoning it or stopping it where I had originally intended (which was to around chapter 4). I hope you are still out there reading this, dear.

Review-answers

(Yes, I know I can answer each one individually now, but I prefer doing it this way)

ShalBrenfan - You're welcome. If ever you got more questions, feel free to ask. And glad you still like it.

satan'stoasterstrudel - Yeah, poor Torn...suppose there's a reason for him being grumpy, neh? ;)

GoodMorningBeautiful2005 - You know I put cliffies in my chapters. I am sorry that I let it dangle for so long, though. I hope I can be forgiven once more.

M-python-girl - Thanks for always being so understanding, I really appreciate it. Truely!

just a rambling romantic - I hope you didn't die waiting...

Serenity - Don't worry, I will finish it. When, where and how it still uncertain, but it will be finished, that I can promise.

Noodle-Doodle-and-Toe - You just have to make me blush, don't you? But thanks, I appreciate your praise - and yeah, the answer was "The Nightmare Before Christmas".

Writheheart - I'm sorry, I can't tell you directly if it was or not. It's part of the plot...

sesshomaru's fluff is mine - Thanks. Glad the emotion translates as well as I intended.

Nor Monisaux - I will, don't worry. If for nothing else, than to keep you all from tearing me apart for not having written another chapter.

Fenris Mourningstar - Woooow...that review had me sitting with my mouth open and then a slowly spreading smile and a light blush. Thank you ever so much. It was so great to get a full review with a more specific definition of what you liked and...oh, goodness, I'm flattered beyond belief. Thanks (hugs). I really, really hope this next chapter meets with your approval too.

Arika-of-the-Demons - Well, you might as well get used to the cliffies. I'm glad you like the tornxjak fandom and that you like this fic as well

Chapter 10 - Memento Mori

The futility of wishful thinking became apparent when he at last stood over the body. There was no mistaking the tattoos on his face.

Torn sank down onto his knees in front of the body, gently lifting his brother's head. He wiped blood from the face with his sleeve so that he could get a clear look.

The dried bits of blood still clung to parts of the face, adding to the pattern of the facial tattoos in a way that seemed somewhat disturbing, as they turned the lines of ink into something hideous instead of just mysterious.

"What were you doing out here, when there were so few of you against so many Metal Heads? Why didn't you call for back-up?" Torn whispered sadly, fingers softly caressing the hastily cooling skin of his brother's cheek. A thought struck him. "Or perhaps you did. Perhaps you did call for backup, but with no answer. Maybe that was why you wanted me to get Erol for you……but if you are here, so close to home, what…mother!"

He was up and running towards their home in an instant and had a good start, when he realised he had forgotten something. He quickly ran back, pulled his brother free and slung him over his shoulder with a grunt. Damn him for being so heavy-built. The fact that a dead body weighs more than a live one didn't help the matter.

With some effort he got the body slung over both shoulders, so he could run without it disturbing him too much. He still wouldn't be running as fast as he would have without, though, but he'd live. No way he was leaving his brother's body to be eaten by hungry, stinking Metal Heads!

Thankfully the trip wasn't very long, or the young elf would have collapsed on the way. Needless to say, this wouldn't be very wise, as the place was still littered with Metal Heads and other creatures feasting on fresh meat, and he had to get back to his zoomer as well.

The place was eerily quiet when he arrived. He pushed open the door and softly called out for his mother, but got no answer. Worried, he ventured further into one of the small rooms that made up their home. He continued to call softly, not wanting to raise his voice and further alert the creatures outside to his presence. There still was no answer.

Where the devil can she be? Surely she wouldn't go out when the place is swarming with those damned beasts! The KG-member wondered while he searched, his brother's legs softly banging into him with every step he took. But perhaps that was why it was so quiet. Maybe she was hiding and didn't want to alert the creatures by making noise.

He found her soon enough, though it was not a happy reunion at all. She was sitting in the storeroom, her smile sad as she gazed upon her two sons with clouded eyes.

"Oh, Torn, my little elfling. I'm sorry – the house is a mess. Nasty bunch of those small Metal-buggers went through the roof earlier – though I'm certain it was securely closed off – and I'm afraid they ruined quite a lot of our possessions. I tried to get them out, but with my old woody here…" – she patted her wooden leg – "…well, let's just say that I wasn't of much use. For some reason they suddenly disappeared, though…why are you holding your brother?"

Torn swallowed, unsure of how to phrase what he should say. In the end he simply put the body down so his mother could see her oldest son.

It was dead-quiet all around while she looked at her offspring. She said nothing, but eventually she bend down stiffly due to her wooden leg and softly kissed the forehead of the body. Then she proceeded to clean the face with the sleeve of her dress. After all, it was her son and she would be damned if he looked messy when they buried him.

"Torn!" she snapped after several minutes of cleaning. "Don't just stand there like an idiot. We have to get him ready and buried before those stinking creatures come back. Take the shovel and start digging, you hear me?"

The younger son saluted and then quickly went to find the shovel. This was one of the things he loved so dearly about his mother. Even when faced with disaster and tragedy she always managed to keep her cool and be practical about it. But he guessed that it also had something to do with the fact that poor people couldn't afford to waste time with mourning their dead for very long. A dead person meant somebody lost forever, but it could also mean either a mouth less to feed or one less to make sure you had something to feed the mouths.

It took longer to dig the hole than expected and Torn kept looking over his shoulder to be sure that no Metal Heads were coming up from behind. It would do no good if they were attacked by a horde of the creatures while making a final resting place for his older brother.

Thankfully, nothing happened and they could place the body down into the ground. They had to be careful that they laid him down without damaging the body even more than it had been. Then they both stood there, looking at their dead kin and saying nothing. Normally there would have been a small speech for the buried, but since they were his only relatives left and they both knew him well, there seemed to be no point. Instead they stood and prayed in silence while silent tears rolled down their cheeks unheeded.

Afterwards they hastily covered the grave with dirt again and with some effort they also managed to move a flat piece of rock over, so nobody could see the ground had been recently dug and also so it wouldn't be so easy to get to the body.

"What do we do now, Mother?" Torn asked wearily.

"We get out of here, that's what we do," his mother answered resolutely. Her face was still wet from her tears and the deep sorrow was also still evident in her eyes, but there was also a glint of defiance and sheer willpower. Nobody was going to get her down. Even if they stripped her of both arms, her remaining leg and the only son she had left, she would still be standing at the end.

"But where will we live? I am not returning to the Krimzon Guard. I am almost totally certain that it was Erol who sent them out here without proper ammunition or backup and I'll be damned if I will serve under the bastard responsible for my brother's death."

"We will go to the Underground. I know somebody there that will help us. Now, be a good boy and collect the important stuff. This place is getting a little crowded." She pointed to the scorpion-like Metal Heads that were gathering and then started running.

Torn was about to shout that she should stop, but instead he quickly gathered their stuff and ran as fast as possible to catch up with her. She could still hold a fast pace with her wooden leg and her long walking stick served her well as a weapon whenever one of the small buggers got too close.

It wasn't long before they reached the zoomer. It was set on full speed and hastily left the murky waters and ruined buildings of Dead Town behind.

TBC

A/N - Not so much of a cliffhanger this time. I won't make any promise that it won't take long before next update, because I honestly don't know. I'll do my very best to make the wait shorter, though...See you on the review page?