Jak slowly made his way into the hospital, taking notice of the staff running around trying to make sense out of everything again. He silently headed for Keira's room to find both her and her father sitting there. She smiled as she walked over to him and embraced him.

"It's good to see you up and about Keira. You had everyone scared for a while there," Jak told her.

"I couldn't wait to get out of there. The doctors checked me over and they've told me I'm not pregnant and that I don't have any diseases to worry about," she said.

Jak glanced over at Samos before stepping over to him. Jak narrowed his eyes at the mild fret in the sage's eyes.

"What's wrong Samos?" wondered the elf.

The sage didn't reply, creating some worry within the younger elves. Jak was about to open his mouth to speak when Samos beat him to it.

"What's happening now with Ashelin? I mean, with her father now revealed as an even crueler man than what we first imagined and her temporary betrayal, what is she going to do now?" Samos asked.

Jak glanced between the two, unsure how to tell them about the situation with Ashelin. He gave a deep sigh before deciding to open his mouth.

"She's decided to stay on as governor as long as she possibly can," Jak explained. "Even though she feels that's not going to last long considering all that's happened lately."

Samos nodded as they headed out of the building. The sage glanced around the area as they began to make their way back to the Freedom Headquarters. Samos couldn't help but sigh at the destruction that was caused ever so recently.

"So much trouble has come from these two old criminal sects. They make you wonder how well you can trust anyone anymore," Samos muttered.

"You got that one right, Samos. We all thought we could trust Jinx and Torn but both turned out to have dark secrets that no one would have thought possible. I also can't believe that Jinx managed to disappear into thin air as with everyone else. It's almost like they don't want to be found again," Jak agreed.

00000

A small figure gazed over the trio from a distance and slightly lowered his head, balling his hands into fists. A scowl crossed his face as he turned around and scurried away from the scene. He carefully moved through the streets, being extra wary not to be seen. He maneuvered himself into the shadows before finding a small crack in a wall and found himself inside a large room. The tiny face glanced over his comrades, who were all in various stages of recovery.

"Veger, it's good to see you back in one piece. That means you weren't spotted by anyone. Any news?" wondered Cargo.

"They're rebuilding the headquarters and other various parts that were damaged. We should wait a few months before we attempt to do anything," the ottsel replied.

He climbed onto Moten's shoulder, despite the fact it was in a brace though the elf didn't mind it one bit. Jinx and Razer were quietly discussing something in the corner and everyone was glad that the explosives expert has awoken in time to get him out of the hot zone before it was swarmeds with Freedom Guards.

"How's Rand doing?" wondered Veger.

"He's furious. He was so certain of the outcome this time. We have no idea what he is going to plan next, if anything. Anthar's in the next room with him as we speak," Moten told him.

Cargo began to pace back and forth as the others turned their stares towards him. All were beginning to guess what was on his mind. It was the same thing that was on their minds since they were forced from the Freedom Headquarters. Cargo turned back towards his comrades and finally voiced the one question that was on everyone's lips.

"What news of Torn and Tryce? They have not been seen or heard from for since they blew up the Freedom Headquarters. We do not know of their status or even if they're dead or alive," Cargo piped up.

Everyone glanced between each other and none said anything for they all knew they answer: no one knew anything and it would most likely stay that way for quite a long time.

00000

"We suffered in the past before. This time was no different," Anthar assured him.

Rand did not answer, barely acknowledging his long-time friend or the pain that was beginning to swell within his body. He was furious over the outcome of the most recent battle and Anthar knew that Rand wasn't the least bit in a mood for anything right away.

"Is this our fate Anthar?" he suddenly questioned.

Anthar's ears perked up in interest at his friend's words but did not answer: he wasn't entirely certain what Rand was rambling about. The leader turned towards Anthar with curiousity in his eyes that was never there before. Yet there was another feature that was never there: a fire whose flame had been greatly diminished.

"It seems like we never defeat the brothers and whoever they are fighting alongside with. Is it possible that our fate is to always lose?" repeated Rand.

Anthar was stunned by the question and found he was unable to answer his friend's question. Rand turned away from his friend again and stared at the farthest wall.

"We shall have to wait. The near future may soon be changing," Rand quietly said.

00000

Tryce held his hands together as he sat into the chair. It was situated next to a bed which had Torn lying unconscious within its covers. His mind was swirling with the events of the last few days. Azan milled around him on a communicator, trying to get a nurse willing enough to come take of someone unable and unwilling to be moved.

"Torn, you are one son of a bitch, I had everything under control," muttered Tryce.

Tryce heard Azan give an exasperated sigh as he turned off the communicator. The older elf turned towards Tryce and crossed his arms in disgust.

"They are reluctant to send anyone and besides, all their staff is way too busy with all the other casualties. They remember the last time they came to help me with you two. Keep in mind that you harassed them something terrible! It looks like we might be on our own," Azan told them.

Tryce barely nodded his head, fully knowing how upset Azan was at that moment. He knew their old friend would furious once he found out about the risks they took in order to reclaim the city.

"Onin might be right," mumbled Tryce.

Azan turned towards his friend, a look of curiousity soon overpowering the glare of disgust. He didn't want to know why the soothsayer had anything to say in this matter. As far as he was concerned, everyone should be thankful that they were still alive.

"Torn is stable enough for now and all we can do is wait," Tryce finally spoke up.

"What about yourself? You haven't been looking that well either, not when I first came and especially not now," Azan sighed.

"I'm not so sure that's as important anymore. Every time we head out to face these men, we will defeat them but with grave injuries that sometimes have taken months to heal. Our luck has to run out sooner or later," Tryce replied.

The older brother stepped out of the chair and knelt beside his brother's bed. He carefully glanced over Torn's features, making sure the elf was not already dead. Sadness began to well up inside Tryce, along with an uncertainty that he never felt before.

"Why does it always have to come to this?" Tryce voiced aloud.

The End

Thanks to all to read. Hope everyone enjoyed to some extent. I'll be back!