5

A blank board was set out in front of Bayterin as he observed it carefully. Waving his hand countless times across the board, vast landmarks and geography were beginning to appear. As he was busy preparing the final plans, Adelaide and Pronous arrived.

"We have come for the final arrangements, my lord." Adelaide said proudly. Trying hard to win his affection, Adelaide kept her confident appearance to impress Bayterin.

Two chairs were conjured in the middle of the room facing the board.

Bayterin turned around from the board, "Sit down. I didn't conjure the chairs up for my health."

Pronous and Adelaide sat down quietly.

Leaning over towards Adelaide, Pronous whispered, "It's all your fault for coming. I could of handled this mission myself, you're just simply interfering."

Adelaide simply smiled and stared up at Bayterin as he was working on the board, "It's all your fault that you're so helpless and can't complete a simple foolish task, Pro."

"Enough bickering," Bayterin's voice sounded throughout the hall, "I have a slight change of plans for you both."

Looking away from his sister, now smiling, Pronous glowered, "Now, the change of plans is this: you will be setting sail tonight instead of tomorrow. I figured, why delay the whole process? Besides, Beta is in her most vulnerable state."

"Leaving tonight, my lord? No preparations?" Adelaide inquired.

Bayterin turned around from the board observing Adelaide, "Yes. It is crucial that you shall leave tonight. Why hold up? Now," Bayterin turned back to his board and pointed out instructions and guidelines, "You will enter the city on the main gate where the ocean meets the land portal. All you will be asked is your heading and proof of that you're going there."

Both Pronous and Adelaide nodded, "Now, Adelaide, you're not doing this job unless Pronous fails. So, you will keep by him at all times. Your powers enable you enough to do so by staying hidden while manipulating the minds of those Zomerian fools. As for you Pronous," Bayterin said turning his attention in the other direction, "you will have to be showing proof. Take this transparent key."

With a flick of his finger, Bayterin conjured a long rectangular transparent key with silver and gold gratings on the front, "This key will allow you to enter the palace with no hesitation. If my plan goes accordingly, you should arrive at the city's dock at around three o'clock, or when the sun is slightly setting to the North."

Pronous cleared his throat, "My lord, what if we need a way to get out?"

Bayterin chuckled, "We? There is no 'we' in this mission Pronous. It's a do or die mission, the ultimate accomplices doing their civil duties to make his master successful. You're just two objects, two things that abide by my rules and serve me, make me proud. Of course, I have others who will do your job... maybe even better."

Pronous was careful not to question Bayterin. Adelaide's confident mood disappeared as she clenched her fists. Bayterin made them sound like two test subjects that were only needed for a certain cause to be thrown aside with in the end.

"You leave tonight. Go back to your hold and retrieve any items or possessions that you wish to take. Then, be off to the Firefall docks where a ship will be awaiting you. I would wish you good luck, but wishing is for fools. Do your mission right, and I will be satisfied. Be gone, both of you."

And with a wave of his hand, both Pronous and Adelaide vanished from sight.

"He's using us, Pronous! I thought he valued me, I thought he respected me." Adelaide said hysterically as she packed the few belongings she possessed.

Pronous sniggered, "Not so optimistic anymore eh, Ade?"

Adelaide gave him a menacing glance and continued to rummage through her belongings throwing them violently in her bag.

There hold was a spacious room with two beds, a desk, two cabinets, and a fireplace sitting on the main wall. To Pronous, this was his home. It was always his home for as far back as he could remember. Walking over to the desk, Pronous pulled out a small box. Opening it cautiously, he saw a picture of Adelaide and him when they were younger, marbles, notes, and an old torn picture of a woman with an infant boy. He looked at it solemnly, the only remnant of his memory was in this picture.The woman was looking up at him with large blue eyes and honey coloured hair. The baby was laughing in the picture as though he didn't know the meaning to fear, to hate.

"Don't just stand there, we have to go now!" Adelaide said impatiently.

He sighed and shoved thepicture back into the box. Becoming angry, he slammed it into his bag. With a few other things, and the rest of their belongings, they set off for the door looking back on the room.

"There wasn't much in here, anyways." Adelaide said bluntly.

"Indeed," Pronous sighed, "Even with us in it there was not that much in here."

Before closing the door, Adelaide stopped it with her foot, "You know, I thought–"

"Yeah, you thought that Bayterin trusted you. You thought you had it all. I saw the way you acted all cocky and prim prior to this meeting."

Not bothering to respond, Adelaide left the conversation alone. Packing the rest of their belongings and trinkets, they both put their black traveling cloaks on and headed towards the door. As Pronous was closing the door, Adelaide held her foot to it and looked in the empty room one more time.

For all his life, Pronous hated his sister with a burning passion. If someone asked him to kill her, he would do it instantly. He couldn't even remember the real reason why he harbored all of his hate for her. Some silly little moment in history where all could have been forgotten, all could have been forgiven. But, for this one moment, Pronous did not feel or have any hatred towards Adelaide. He felt sorry for her, really. Instead of saying a negative retort or pushing her away from the door, Pronous simply put his hand on her shoulder and gently ushered her away from the door, "Come, Adelaide."

Without looking at him, she did not hesitate. She walked forward, her purple hair swinging with her every footstep. Looking down at his sister, he saw a gleaming line streak down her pale face. Pretending not to notice, Pronous walked forward to the exit of the palace. As they walked outside, they vanished.

In the next moment, they reappeared at the Firefall docks. There, a Victorian ship was waiting for them. Never in his life had he completed a 'do or die' mission. Having mixed feelings about this voyage, he helped his sister onto the boat. Pronous took a final look at the vast city, the murky red lit sky city.

He then jumped onto the boat gracefully. With a horn blowing off from afar, Pronous held his sister as he looked out towards the direction of Zomera. This chance could possibly mean a new life for him. A chance to start over with his sister was also waiting on the horizon. Smiling to himself for the first time in ages, Pronous never felt this much pain and grief in all of his life. He knew exactly what he had to do...