Chapter 3: CHAPTER TWO: FLEETING DREAM

The gentle rays of the morning sun pierce through the windows, as the sunflower fields elegantly dance to the winds tune. The curtain draws on a deceptively beautiful morning as Xavier is awoken by the memories of last night half hoping they were just a dream that their world wouldn't be ending in a day, what would usually be another routine beautiful morning in the paradise simply referred to as the 'Oasis' now has a disgusting and uncomfortable air about it.

"Haaa…"

Xavier sighs drably it's a lot of information for an 8 year old to process.

At that moment his door swings open and a familiar sight is seen. Beautiful white hair shining in the gentle rays of the morning sun. His crimson eyes meeting his mothers, she calls out in a soft tone.

"Oh… you're already up…."

She says uncharacteristically, without her usual confidence and enthusiasm.

"… Yeah…"

He responds equally as downcast as he sits up on his bed waking Mylo in the process.

"… breakfast…breakfast is ready…."

The break in between signifying a mind deep in thought. Xavier catches on… quite honestly hoping he didn't but his mother isn't herself today and that only further reinforces the reality of what he had been hoping was a dream from the moment he opened his eyes this morning. Everything that he heard last night was real.

"Oh… I'll be right down…"

He says while giving a faint smile to his mother in a subconscious effort to lighten the mood.

"..Alright..."

She simply responds giving back a small smile unable to hide her mental exhaustion.

Risa soon leaves the room as Xavier falls back to the bed…

"…It wasn't a dream boy…"

He quietly mutters to himself as he pats Mylo's head.

Soon after Xavier heads downstairs and is met by the sight of his mother and a set table top for breakfast, her head tilted down towards the kitchen island clearly still locked in thought. Silently he makes his way to the island and grabs a sit.

"Rice?"

He asks quietly smiling as he looks her way. She simply nods with a smile on her face. He grabs the bowl of rice next to the basket of buns to serve himself. This isn't his traditional meal, or his traditional happy morning and cheer. It might look the same, smell the same, feel the same and even taste the same but it's not the same.

The silence in the room is amplified. You could feel it. You could actually hear it too if you tried hard enough. Such is the gravity of the atmosphere. A loud silence.

Then a sudden gust of wind rolls in as the door opens. The all too familiar figure of his father walks in as he says…

"Good morning everyone!"

In his usual manner, grinning ear to ear, bright and cheery as always. He is a light, a noise. A noise that breaks apart the silence residing in the room as he walks straight to his wife and kisses her good morning patting his son's head as he takes his usual sit beside him.

"Hmmm… what with all the doom and gloom."

He says starkly as he takes a big bite off a bun from the basket. With a rather surprising and genuinely confused expression.

"Hey Xavi you gonna finish that…"

He says. Xavier simply staring at him confused.

"…Uhmmm, hunnie I can always make more…"

Risa cuts in, in a somber tone...

"Nah it's alright… anyway Smart Mark said he's got something to show you today Xavi..."

Victor says turning his attention back to his son with a big laugh.

"You should pass by there today it could be important."

He finishes smirking at his son as he scruffs up his hair.

"Uhmmm. Yeah okay father…"

Victor stares at both his wife and son with a blank expression as if genuinely shocked at the atmosphere in here. Why is the mood so dead? He thinks to himself, and in that moment as if realizing what could actually be the problem he says.

"You know…. It's a beautiful day…."

Letting out a soft breath of air as he stares out the window, eyes glittering as the wind blows the leaves softly.

"I think…"

"I think sometimes you just gotta take what the world gives you and make the best of it….because you'll never know if its gonna come around again…."

"You know…"

He says softly, passionately. A short silence comes after, like an understanding of their shared fate had just occurred….albeit in silence…. Staring at each other for a while… eventually Victor stands up and pats his son's head again.

"Well, best be off to work… Jerry said the deliveries today are going to be rough I'll be back before dinner though…"

Victor says with a light smile. His job is delivering the oil they make from their sunflower fields.

"Make sure you go see Mark, Xavi..."

He ends as he grabs the whole basket of buns and kisses Risa's cheek leaving through the kitchen door and leaving behind a both awkward and confused short silence.

"… You wanna maybe help me do the dishes before you leave..."

Risa asks Xavi.

"I respectfully decline."

Xavi responds holding up praying hands and getting off his sit.

"Okay… okay… be back before dinner…"

Risa says softly laughing to herself

"Bye mom… c'mon Mylo."

Xavi replies somberly smiling at her, before making his way out the door.

"Haaaaaah…. Right... time to get to work…"

Risa sighs to herself as she slaps her cheeks in an attempt to psych herself up.

Xavier walks through the flower laden path and passed the field as their little town comes into view. Sand molded houses similar to igloos populate the area. As the thick gold sand is the only thing you can see passed their house on the rocky hill. The area is covered by a high wall of sand and rock. Their home sitting at the top of one of two rock hills. One hill at the back end of the area, where their home sits, and the other the entrance to the Oasis. Staring down into the town a large pool of water is visible. It's beautiful emerald green color resonating even more with its gold surrounding. This water body the only source of water for miles and miles is their livelihood not just as a source vitality for the townsfolk but also as a source of income for their sunflower farm. There aren't many beautiful places out here besides the fields that encircle his home. But the sand filled area itself shares its own charm. Like a giant gold tablet with an emerald at its center, it shines.

As he approaches the town the sounds of chatter and life spring forth. From the vendors selling their various foods and accessories in their makeshift stands to the shop owners looking to draw attention to their establishments shouting outside. The energy of the town is unmatched. The peace of his home on the hill is beautiful but nothing beats the vibrant energy and life of the town center.

"Oh look Mylo there's Uncle Mark's place."

Xavier says to Mylo as the view of a big sand building attached to the front rock hill comes into view.

'Smart Mark's Handy Shop' it reads.

Pushing the door open, a dark eyed chubby figure with frameless glasses, brown hair, a goatee and duster in hand comes into view as Mylo quickly runs in straight through a door that leads to the back of the shop.

"Hey Uncle Mark…"

Xavier says.

"Oh hello there little 'Grey' boy what can I do for you?"

Mark replies.

"What can you do for me? What do you mean father said you have something to tell me…"

Xavier replies.

"Me?"

The chubby man ponders while stroking his goatee eyes closed.

"Hmmmmm… I don't recall ever having anything to say to you kiddo but if your old man said it, it most likely must have been…."

He says thinking back as he draws to a conclusion.

Just then Mark is cut off by the sight of what appears to be a scrawny little girl with brown hair knotted in pigtails and deep dark eyes slowly making her way towards Xavier, biting down on her lower lip exposing several missing teeth as she sneaks ever so quietly from the back trying her hardest not to be caught…

"Huuuhhh… sorry Xavi…"

Mark mumbles to himself as he squints his eyes and adjusts his glasses while turning away.

"Huh?"

Xavier responds rightfully confused.

"Uh huh!! Got you!!!!!"

The little girl shouts in a high pitch tone that'd put a soprano opera to shame as she jumps on him and pins him down quickly maneuvering around his side and folding his hand behind him.

"Ow..ow..ow..ow!!"

Xavi shouts in agony

"Lu-Lu-Lucy!?!"

He says struggling as he recognizes the figure currently dominating him.

"ARGHH! HEY! ARGHHH!! I tap I tap…"

He says as he quickly begins to tap his hand on the ground as the pain begins to increase

"So you thought you'd get away with not visiting me yesterday huh??"

She says in a cute but pretty devilish and frustrated tone.

"I got busy! I got busy I swear!!"

Xavier replies hurriedly tear in eye, hand still slamming the floor as hard as possible.

"So what?!? I have nothing to do with whatever you were busy with, why are my plans the ones getting dropped for something else."

She replies angrily as she wretches his arm even tighter making Mark wince.

"Sorry Kid."

Mark mumbles to himself as he makes himself busy dusting whatever is nearest to him.

"Lucy! I tap!! I tap!!!"

Xavier shouts back again tears almost flowing out

"Mylo!!!"

Xavier shouts to his dog which springs forward from the back in full speed.

"Arooooo!!!"

Mylo jumps into the air throwing himself at Lucy but just when he is about to land, he is knocked out of the air and onto to the ground by what appears to be a cheeky bird with green feathers.

"Arouuuu."

Mylo screams in agony.

"Mylo!!! Arrrgghh…"

Xavi shouts in equal agony as Lucy tightens her hold.

"Hmmmm…so you thought you'd make it two on one huh? Nice job Rusty!!!"

Lucy says as she throws a thumbs up to the majestic creature

"Cockadoododoo!!!!"

The green bird spreads its wings to reveal a beautiful array of colors, the majestic creature that just dropped kicked a dog out of the air is a peacock. Mighty majestic if I do say so myself. And yes ladies and gents there is still a 7 year old girl currently pinning down the main character with only one arm. One arm!!!

"Now back to 'Mr I… got… busy…'"

Lucy says in a mocking tone looking down at Xavier

"Arrrrrh…"

Xavi lets out, drained and in between life and death as he passes out.

"Uhmmm… Xavi?"

Lucy responds with a hint of worry and confusion mixed in.

"Ouuu maybe I pushed you too hard."

She says guiltily as she softens her hold before shouting.

"Uncle Mark!!!!!"

…Sometime later Xavier opens his eyes to the sight of toothless Lucy his demon child of a friend staring down at him…

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"I still can't believe how weak you are. Who passes out from something as simple as that?!? You're supposed to be a boy Xavi."

Lucy says pouting as she pulls her face away and readjusts the chair she's sat on. Xavier who's laid on the bed with a towel on his forehead proceeds to respond saying.

"Yeah and you're supposed to be a girl toothless."

Xavier mumbles to himself without thinking.

"What did you say?"

Lucy responds clenching her fist at Xavi in rage.

"No-nothing!!! Gee it's a beautiful today huh!!!"

Xavi responds hurriedly breaking into a cold sweat.

"Geez. How are you gonna take care of your wife in future if you're so cowardly."

Lucy says pouting and relaxing back in her chair as she crossing her arms and turning her face away.

"Ehehe…. No need, I'll just marry a really strong girl like you who can protect me all the time."

Xavier says eyes closed and grinning as he places the towel over his face and lays back to bed and getting comfortable.

"Hu-Huh!!!"

Lucy lets out subconsciously cheeks flushed clearly not expectant of that response from Xavier.

"What??"

Xavier responds taking the towel off his forehead with a hint of confusion

"No-nothing… yo-you idiot! As if I'd-I'd marry a coward like you."

Lucy says as she slaps the towel back into his forehead.

"Argh…"

Xavier responds from the pain, yup definitely should have seen that one coming.

"Alright… alright enough you two."

Mark says as he enters the room slightly chuckling to himself.

"So how do you feel Xavi? Also how's the family it's been awhile since I saw Marissa?"

Mark asks smiling as he gets closer to where Xavier is laid and pulls a stool for himself from the nearby desk.

"Huh… oh they're fine thanks for asking Uncle Mark"

Xavi responds with a small smile on his face pulling the towel off his forehead again.

"And as for me… well I'd be better if toothless over here didn't attack me every chance she gets..."

He says grumpily as Lucy stares daggers at him.

"So what brings you here?"

Mark chuckles and asks smiling back.

"Oh nothing really father said you had something to say to me so I came to see what it was… if I'd known toothless had arranged the whole thing I probably would have rethought my visit."

Xavier responds looking back at Lucy as she gives him a stern look.

"Thou-though on second thought I just figured it would be a good idea to go out and get some fresh air. Besides, it's been awhile since my last visit anyway…"

Xavi responds slightly fearful but also with a sense of peace and comfortability.

"Well am glad you decided to stop by."

Mark replies with a soft smile as he gets off from his stool and makes for the door

"You're welcome to stay as long as you like, just none of that rough stuff again its embarrassing enough you got pinned down by a girl smaller than you, I don't want you going back home with scars too Marissa would never leave me alone…"

He chuckles to himself as he leaves.

"Ah…haha…riiight…"

Xavier responds a little embarrassed and laughing to himself.

The door slams shut leaving the two in an awkward silence as Lucy stares holes through Xavier without saying a word.

"Aaah- what now??"

Xavier says hesitantly and a little creeped out.

"Hmmm…is something wrong?"

She replies bluntly widening her eyes with no hint of emotion in her speech which catches Xavier off-guard.

"Huh?"

Xavier sounds out a little confused.

"Well… Something feels off the color of your energy has been different since you got here."

Lucy replies her eyes as if under a trance.

"My energy?"

Xavier asks…

"Yes your energy"

She replies…

"Well my dad did eat all the buns today that kinda pissed me off…"

Xavier replies pouting eyes shut just a little tighter.

"Not that energy you idiot…"

Lucy sighs her concentration broken.

"Hehe- I know don't worry about it, I'm fine…"

Xavier replies with a smile on his face as he bursts into a small laughter.

"Hmmmm…fine…"

Lucy responds as she softens and gets into his face quickly catching him unexpected and making his cheeks flush

"Eh…"

Xavier audibly lets out.

Realizing her face is a little too close to his, her cheeks begin to flush a bright red too but her pride won't have her backing out now. Shell look just as silly as his stupid face does right now too if she got all weirded out. As they continue their awkward unplanned staring contest the door suddenly slams open! And in come a flurry of white and green flashes as Mylo sprints in followed by Rusty not too far behind him… Mylo barks and launches himself onto the bed startling Lucy who falls off the chair. Onto the bed and behind Xavier the little white husky dives as the super peacock continues the chase.

"Rusty stop!!!"

Lucy shouts at the majestic bird as it attempts to jump after the dog but gets its leg caught by its owner and falls onto her chest.

"Aha-ahaha…"

Lucy chuckles in shock of the bizarre events that just occurred.

"Haha- hahahahha…"

Xavier continues after her breaking into a small laughter as well.

"Hahahahha…"

They both break into laughter as Mylo continues to cower behind Xavier whimpering and barking.

"Yeah this isn't so bad."

Xavier thinks to himself.

"I wish the world could stay like this…"

He sighs to himself passionately and at peace…

"I needed this..."

The pair remain laughing and chatting as the bad memories of yesterday are replaced with the smiles of today. Yeah this brief moment of happiness isn't so bad….

Meanwhile, as the sun begins to set on the second rock hill that overlooks both the utopia and outer-lands of the Oasis. Two men clad in all black one with deep dark shiny black hair and another a fading blonde stand at the edge in silence staring into the vast nothingness beyond the Oasis when they are joined by a hooded figure…

"Sir we just got the reply from 'Damion Valdis'..."

The hooded figure hesitates to speak as he gets on one knee seemingly a subordinate to the men.

"Go on…"

The man with blonde hair responds his voice gentle with a small bass.

"It-it says you're passed the point of negotiations and that he couldn't care less for the flocks of weakness that inhabit the Oasis."

The hooded figure reports audibly shaken…

"Tch."

The man with dark hair audibly sounds clicking his tongue still staring into the nothingness, as another figure clad in all black joins the trio.

"A-a report from the 'Guard' branched in the 'Outer-lands'… Sir."

The seconded hooded figure adds equally as shaken.

"…"

The dark haired man stays not saying a word.

"It-it says to evacuate the city enemy sighted numbers in..."

He pauses unable to let out his voice…

"Enemy numbers in what how many are they?"

The blonde haired man responds a hint of urgency uncharacteristic with his gentle composed tone.

"Five… five hundred sir."

"Tch…Well that doesn't sound too bad huh Vic? It seems they're taking you lightly now that you're not in the picture."

The blonde haired man responds grumpily with a little hope in his voice.

"Le-led by…"

The second hooded figure continues getting the attention of both men as the silence is followed by a sense a defeat and inevitability as he finishes his sentence.

"Led…led by the current 'Sense Of Sight' Yasser Freid…"

The reporting agent stops.

"Aaah fuck..."

The blonde man audibly sounds out as the dark haired man turns stiff.

A silence passes after the report as the wind blows a cold breeze atop the hilltop…

"Haaa… looks like this just became unavoidable."

The blonde haired man exhales softly as a worried grin appears on his.

"It was never going to be easy Jerry."

The dark haired man responds silently as he sighs his voice is warm and brash...

"Am sorry Risa...."

32 Hours before the incident..

-To Be Continued-

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