“More memories. Dreams of memories. Nightmares. Memories I never wanted to think of ever again. Memories that haunt me. Memories that always stalk the back of my mind.”

(«^») Iris Exurrana

8E/438Y/12M/39D 11:00 AM

The flames danced around me as if I was at the center of a festival. They licked dangerously close, almost too close for comfort. I stood there, eyes forever stained black as my mother walked away never to be seen again.

I was alone. Alone in the pyre kindled by greed, my family, and my home.

Iris… a distant voice called to me. “Mother..?” Iris!

I violently snapped awake as Aurora shook me, “Iris, we're in Faer, wake up!”

My head was throbbing with a dull pain. I pushed my palm into my forehead as I spoke, “We only have a day. Let's go.”

(«^») 8E/438Y/12M/40D 4:00 AM

The first day we spent in Faer was just preparation. I bought us some breathing crystals, some strong magnets, and proper swimming gear. I didn't need any fancy tools to pull this all off.

I was confident in my skills, but maybe foolishly so. However, once she got into The Fortress of Oblivion there would be no getting her out. If I was gonna do it I had to do it in that very moment.

I didn't explain the plan to Aurora. I just told her that I needed her to tell me the exact moment one of the chutes would open up.

Of course she detested not knowing what the Hell I was gonna be doing while I was in there but I refused to say anything. “The less you know the better. I don't need you worrying about me even more than I know you already will.”

She frowned at me, “Fifteen minutes. You have fifteen minutes to get in and get out before I go in to find you.”

I sighed heavily, “Fine. I won't need that much time if this goes to plan anyway.”

“You know it never goes exactly to plan.”

“That's what makes it fun.” I gave her a grin.

We woke up earlier than usual and headed south of the city to wait for the dreadnought. I didn't want to assault in a place where I could easily be met with an army.

Although we didn't wait for long. Not even an hour passed by the time the ship was in view. “C'mon. It's time.”

Aurora just nodded and we both jumped into the water. As the ship passed us we stuck our magnets onto the side of the ship, and let it bring us along.

It would be awhile before anything happened so I had a lot of time to take in the scenery. The water was a shimmery light blue, and you could see all the way to the bottom of the straight. Light danced on the ocean floor to a silent tune of serenity. The water was filled with colorful fish and plants, some of which reached the surface of the water. The sand at the bottom was a pure, glittery white.

I was taken out of my daze by Aurora tapping my shoulder holding up five fingers, then four, then two, and so on. She had a worried look on her face, but as soon as she hit zero I activated Chronostorri. The chute was barely open and the pod was stuck in place. Going as fast as I possibly could, I squeezed through the chute and used my magnets to climb up. I pulled myself up over the edge, glad to see the pod’s stand was still empty. I entered the small hole in the wall by briefly changing my body into darkness using Darkest Before.

The space inbetween the walls was filled with piping, vents, and wiring. It was dark, and I could hear the prisoners yelling through the walls, trying to make the guards’ lives as Hellish as possible.

Inch by inch, I made my way to Raisa’s cell. Dreadnought’s were massive about 800 feet in length. I would only have enough time to get into her cell since I was slowed down by the tight walls, as well as the climb up the chute. Every step made me nervous, but once I was in the right spot, I turned into darkness again and burst through the vent into her cell. As soon as I did so I was turned back into my normal self and Chronostorri ended. “Fuck.” I swore under my breath.

“Iris..?” Raisa’s voice was one of someone who'd lost all faith.

“No time. Follow me, do as I say.” As I talked I picked the cell’s lock and just as it opened an alarm sounded, “Fuck! Run!” I booked it into the cell block and changed both of us into darkness. I ran for the exit, and several guards starting chasing and shooting at me and Raisa. “Tch.” I yelped a little as I continued taking bullets in the back. Literally being made of darkness helped ease the damage it would've done otherwise but I still didn't like it. We ran all the way to the gate which was already closed. I tried running through it but I was just tossed back, and out of my shadowy form. “FUCK!”

What do I do, what do I do?! My blood aura was getting low, and the guards were closing in, What do I do???!!!

I sat there, internally screaming at myself, while a group of guards surrounded the both of us. I turned around and put my hands up.

One of the higher ups approached me, “Stand down!”

Think, think! “Well, it seems I'm in dire straits here, don't it?”

“What are you doing releasing one of the most dangerous criminals of Alexandria?”

“My fucken’ job, that's what. But it seems that's all come to an end. I guess this is where my road stops because I refuse to be a goddamn prisoner. You better shoot to kill before I have the chance to return the favor.”

The guard narrowed his eyes at me, “You poor, poor soul.” He whispered simply.

Then he pulled the the fucking trigger.