Phoenix

[Xyrael]

Life wasn't easy for Asahi, riches and fame, splendour and dazzling jewels, he had none of these. He was the leader of a proud, poverty ridden people. He could barely find enough reasons to convince himself life was still worth living, but he could not kill himself. His people depended upon them, those proud citizens under Sel'ian rule. They needed him, he dreamed of the day he could take back his birthright through blood, steel, and fire.

"My Grace," a humble steward fell to his knees on the floor, pushing his forehead to the ground in servitude. A large wave slowly rocked the ship, the chandelier slowly shifting angles.

"Yes, humble subject. What brings you to me?"

"Majesty, we are not long from our destination. Your subjects are concerned, Majesty. I speak humbly, m'lord, are all preparations made for port? Is there any service you need?" he spoke without lifting his head from the floor, even as the ship crested the wave, the floor tilting at an angle suitable for a pinball machine.

"I could use the company of my attendant dresser. I should look proper, shouldn't I?" he attempted a smile. After so many grim months, however, he wasn't sure if he was snarling or smiling. The man rose to his feet and exited the room, never turning his back or raising his head. As he closed the sliding door, Asahi turned to the mirror and sighed.

Within minutes a woman tapped the door while sliding it open, asking for no permission. She strode to him, a smile beaming on her face as she came to her knees by his side. He looked to her from his chair and attempted another smile, caressing her cheeks with his fingers.

"Grace," she smiled, "are you well?"

"You make these minutes seem well, my dear," he spoke softly to her before turning back to the mirror. She rose to her feet, moving behind him and untying his pinned hair. Her slender fingers unraveled the locks of hair, her warmth giving him the security he needed to rest his eyes.

He wasn't sure how long it had taken her to ready him for his meeting, but she had not left. "Kunie, is there something you desire?" he asked, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were intent upon him, her smile had disappeared, her fingers guided her hands across her chest as she drew him closer, hugging him tightly.

"Asahi, this burden, it's killing your soul," she whispered into his ear.

He closed his eyes, pulling her around the chair and into his lap. "Kunie, I am fine, I promise. I'm your Emperor, and I will never fail your nor anyone else. I swear on my soul that this is true."

Her eyes gazed into his intently, and without thought she moved to him, her lips pressing against his. He pulled her closer, he could feel something in him building. His lips slowly turned, a genuine smile crossing his face. For minutes it seemed she kissed him, but a gentle rap at the door sent her flying from his lap and to her knees before him. A steward fell to his knees in the doorway, head pressed closely to the floor.

"Majesty, you are needed on deck. We are making our way into port."

He dismissed the man with a wave of his hand, his eyes turning to Kunie who looked at him through her bangs as she bowed before him. "Kunie," he smiled, softly pulling her to her feet, "you make me believe in a brighter future." He moved to the door, leaving her alone in his chamber.

~

It had not taken long for the ship to dock, the port had been cleared for the occassion, and SNLF had stepped up security measures around the area. There would be no driving, he would meet with the Governor in an office at the docks, and present the final document to the crowd. Everything had been planned, only one thing needed to be done.

His hands pressed against his suit as he stood on the deck on the luxury liner, several military frigates in the harbor watched the skies and seas while guards surrounded him. The Governor waited at the bottom of the ramp, a smile running across his face as he waved to the Emperor, and the Emperor smiled back. Camera's and media fixated on the smiling Emperor as he strode down the plank to the podium.

The Governor shook his hand, turned to the podium and smiled. "I give you your beloved Emperor," he smiled and clapped his hands. Asahi stepped forward with a smile. He was nervous, but still his smile persisted. "Brothers, Sisters," he smiled, clasping the podium, he looked over the crowd, pausing to collect his thoughts.

[Aquatoria]

He stood in the crowd facing the Emperor. Stupid, arrogant man. His name was hidden so that no one would know. But most of the freedom fighters called him Spartacus. The foreign Emperor began to speak. You are an abomination, and an oppressor. Spartacus wore a black jacket and suit. He looked more like a businessman. An overcoat covered up the spring-loaded pistols at his wrists. The Emperor began his speech with "Brothers, sisters." then paused. Spartacus was angered but cooled himself. "I have heard enough." He made his way to the front of the crowd. Just as the Emperor began his speech again, Spartacus decided to do it. He lifted his hands up and the pistols shot out to his hands. The crowd screamed. Spartacus opened up five rounds into the Asahi's torso. He collapsed collapsed. The Emperor's bodyguards turned to capture Spartacus, but he turned and fired at them. But they were many. They fired multiple rounds into the assassin as the people ran in every direction. Spartacus collapsed. The bodyguards ran up to him. One of them, an attractive-looking female looked at him. "Who are you? Why did you do this? Who are you working for?" But her questions fell on deaf ears. Spartacus was dead.  Koni cried as she ran back to Asahi. She just lay there hugging him. His eyes staring a blank sky.

[Bustos]

From a rooftop of a building across the docks, a spotter looking through a pair of binoculars laid surprised.  "Did you just see what I saw?" she asked the other member of the two-man sniper team.

"What?  Some random idiot doing our job for us and then getting killed in the process?" the sniper replied as he laid nearby her still looking through the scope of the rifle.  "Want me to get a head shot to make sure? I still got an opening, well through the woman holding him at least," as the sniper released the safety on the 50 caliber rifle.

"No.  I am calling this a visual independent confirmation of the kill.  We continue to the extraction on Evac Beta."

"Yes, ma'am."

The pair crept back into the attic of the flat top home.  After dropping down into the second floor from the attic, the sniper quickly began disassembling the rifle into its carrying case while the spotter collected some clothes from the closet of the home.  "Here, change into these.  We'll blend in better.  Gather some food from the fridge for the hike and I'll prep the house," the spotter commanded.  She stripped, near naked, in front of the sniper, as he finished placing the disassembled rifle into the case.  The woman covered only by a sports bra and panties that would be more accurately described as a bikini, picked up clothes from the floor and began to dress.  The sniper seemed unaffected by the sudden baring of his partner and followed suit revealing his briefs.  The spotter, once dressed, began to pour gasoline around the house, making sure ample amounts covered the now dead family that lived there, a man, woman, and two young girls.  The cold and meticulous pair closed the front door, leaving the small but, rapidly growing, fire behind.

10 minutes after their departure of the home, the small house was engulfed in flames.