Alive: Prologue

“Run away!”

 

I was clenched onto my brother's arm and refused to let go. He defended himself with his giant sword against the approaching soldiers. The town behind us sank to the ground as time ticked further, surrendering to the destroying flames. More people screamed as they tried to escape the burning houses and bullets flying through the air like hawks. The stench of blood and fear entered my mind, slowly dulling my senses. I shook my head to clear it. I didn't understand.

 

My brother raised his sword higher, steadily and calmly. He was clearly in control of his emotions and didn’t show a trace of anger. I said nothing. I was trying to stay calm under the enormous pressure I felt. Laroran soldiers raised guns at the both of us, coming out from every direction possible. Their silver armor shone brightly in the red light coming from the fire behind us.

 

“Give up, brat,” a soldier scolded and stepped closer to my brother, checking the ammo in his grey colored gun. The bright golden bullets were marked with a red stripe. He laughed at the looks of us. “We are here in the name of your own house to exterminate your kind. We received orders to extinguish you and your little sister in one single blow.”

 

My brother lowered his chin, narrowing his eyes at the enemy. The braid in his long golden hair waved along with the moves he made. He attentively sent weight to his right leg and rushed forward, slashing one soldier through his armor. The head limply fell down to the ground, blood flowing freely over the green grass.

 

I looked into my brother's pure red eyes. The determination written on his face was affecting me and I stepped forward, growing careless of the scene around me. “Who sent you?”

 

A soldier in black armor grabbed me by my chin and forced me to look into his eyes. “Yuuka. Twelve years old. Am I right?”

 

I shook my head out of his grip. “Who wants to know?”

 

The soldier pointed the gun towards my head. He slowly made an attempt to pull the trigger and I closed my eyes, waiting for the blow. The shot's sound soared through the air, but it left me unharmed. I opened my eyes, just to witness my brother to collapse in front of me. I froze movements and stared down at his bloodstained appearance, unable to say anything.