"All around was red. Red on the ground, red in the sky, red moon. Screams of people whom I don't even know are ringing in my ears."
It was a person kneeling on the ground in the middle of a war-stricken world who looked up to the heavens. His hair was red, but it was because of all the blood around him.
He was silent for only a moment, but then his shouting ripped through the air.
His eyes opened while he was in a state of panic, but he immediately calmed down after looking at his ceiling and knowing that he was in a nightmare. He woke up while his hand was going through his hair, and he sighed.
"Not again." Forgetting the nightmare, he stood up and stretched.
After a quick rinse and breakfast, he took a cup of coffee and went to the balcony and looked at the view most men would dream of.
The sky was littered with stars. There was a mountain peak through which the sun started to rise through illuminating the night sky. Galaxy elevators are stretching throughout the sky connecting one planet to another.
Looking down from his balcony, he saw the city bathed in colours. Skyscrapers cutting through the sky, yet not reaching him. Fog curled around the bases of towers, and dawn painted the skyline in faint golds and blues. 'Today I am finally getting out of this hellhole. I will find out who did it.'
Going back inside his room, he started to dress. His finger ran through the scars he had on his bicep while putting on his shirt.
After getting dressed, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. A man with black hair and blue eyes. "Pathetic."
Then suddenly, the sound of the doorbell came. Looking at his wrist watch, a hologram came up showing the image of the two policemen waiting at the front of his doorstep.
Going to the front, he opens the gate with a quiet "Officer Dax" in a dry tone and lets them in. "Big Day huh ? Elias. Finally being released." But receives no response from Elias. "Cold as always. Anyways, Officer Jalen and I will do the usual checks and then we will be on our way." Hearing this, Elias nods.
Officer Jalen then starts to speak " Prisoner IE-333002. Full Name: Elias Kaine. On the Charge of murder, you had been sentenced to 2 years in juvenile prison and six years in prison, of which you had spent 2 years in house arrest. Eligible for full release." Then Officer Dax steps forward and scans Elias with a wristwatch on his hand and a miniature hologram of Elias appears on top of the watch. The watch displays
"Prisoner IE-333002
Age-26
Hair Colour- Black
Eye Color-Blue
Height-6'0 feet
Weight-60 kilograms
All vitals are normal. The subject is currently at his peak condition."
"All seems to check out. Officer Jalen please release Mr Kaine and give back his belongings." And steps back and Officer Jalen steps forward and unclips the ankle bracelet and handover his personal belongings. Elias nods at both Officers showing a gesture of good faith from him.
"I hope not to see you in this type of situation, Elias. Let's meet at a later date and grab some drinks. First rounds on me." As soon as Dax says this, both officers leave without getting a response from Elias.
Elias sighs and closes the gate and sits down on his couch but suddenly he receives a call. The ID displayed the name Karl Jacobson. He picks up the call and says "How did you know?"
A response comes back from the other end "I have my ways, but seriously dude, after years of no contact, this is the first you say to me to your best friend." Elias didn't answer.
"Well anyway, I know you wouldn't call me so I called you. Let's meet at our old place. You remember it right?" Elias just stays silent for a few moments " I am busy." But Karl responds back "BULLSHIT. Just come, I'll even cover the tab."
"Is that place even standing till now? The last thing I remember about that place was it was so run down that a gust of wind would blow it." And Karl replies " OH BOY would you be surprised. Just come quickly." And hangs up the call.
Elias throws his head back and just looks at the ceiling for a few moments. Then he starts to leave his house.
An Hour Later
Elias stands in front of a huge establishment of Velvet Ember. What used to be a rundown dive was now a sleek, towering establishment.
"ELIAS!" Elias turns his head towards a man who looks like he is in his late twenties and who is walking towards him. "Karl?" Elias was honestly surprised, looking at Karl "Surprised, huh. I expected that reaction. I mean, I did grow a beard and dyed my hair, but I hoped you would recognise me as I am your best friend ."
"Couldn't change your mouth though."
"BASTARD" Karl muttered with a grin
"What happened here? The last thing I remember was that old man and his grandson running that old bar. How did that turn into this?" Elias asked "Well, apparently that old man's son stepped in and took this business to this whole level. His son became a Sentinel. Got rich and he upgraded the whole thing into, well, this." Karl then remembers what a mistake he made and sees Elias's reaction soured
He then pats Elias's back and says " Forget it. Let's go in." and he starts to drag Elias inside the