Nate anderson.
"Daylight sweet daylight" were the first words James said as we finally exited the mines. James then proceeds to fall to his knees and kiss the ground. Emma looked at James slightly repulsed.
"You are a weird bunch"
Emma walked past and looked outwards over the horizon. I walked up next to her.
"I met your grandmother"
Emma didn't turn to look at me and only said
"And you're still alive she must've liked you" I saw a hint of a smile on her face as I let out a laugh.
"she certainly didn't go easy on me even with all my bones broken"
Emma laughed at this and I found myself staring at her for a long moment before James walked in between us and asked.
"Where to now"
Snapping out of my trance I looked at James then back out over the mountain I could see the city form where we stood.
"We need to find the others"
I looked at James who lifted his hand up and tapped on his earpiece once then twice then a third time before looking at me.
"They're not responding shit something must of happened to them"
Jame paced back and forwards
"shit they must of found Ethan what if there hurt or worse-"
"James stop"
James looked at me but I didn't respond. I simply looked out towards the city and closed my eyes. I felt the energy around me first then I felt the energy of James Noah Emma and Orion then I focused on the city I tried to find signs of Liam or Ethan but I couldn't.
"Ethans your brother right?"
I turned my head towards Emma trying to keep my concentration.
"his energy should be similar to your own"
If she was right then. I focused my concentration half on myself and half on the city and then I saw or felt a shimmering purple energy which I could feel in multiple places including the mountain above us. I felt the last place the portals went and it was a place I knew all too well. We descended the mountain and made our way into the city by the second hour we arrived. The house was burnt, the wood charred, the roof had partly collapsed leaving only the first floor roughly intact except for a few cracks in the black walls; the others slowed their pace, letting me walk ahead as I approached my childhood home. I hopped the chain linked fence which lined the outskirts of the ruined house.
"ETHAN COME OUT I KNOW YOUR HERE"
I heard the rattling of the fence behind me but I reached my hand behind me signaling for them to stop and wait . I walked deeper throughout the house and up the stairs I walked up and opened the door to my room empty just the charred remains of so many memories, happy memories. I tried to close the door but couldn't bring myself to so I left it partly opened. every other room had been destroyed from the fire except for one. I slowly opened Ethan's room and there I saw him sitting on the remains of his bed, his head buried in his arms.
"I didn't kill them"
I wanted to respond and ask him what he ment but I couldn't. I was frozen solid.
"I don't know what Adrian told you but I didn't kill them I how could I kill my own parents my own brother"
I felt a tinge of pain from his words and I slowly sat down next to him.
"I know Ethan, it's like what Mom always said: family should stick together." I let out a small chuckle.
"I always thought it was sappy at the time but now there isn't a limit to what I'd do to hear her say those words just one more time".
I felt tears well up in my eyes as I remembered my mother… no, our mother. Ethan lifted his head up and turned to me and looked me in my eyes. He stared for a long moment then he reached his hand up and through my hair.
"Nathen it's… it's… oh God"
Ethan burst into tears and he pulled me in for a hug. We stayed there hugging for what felt like hours but was only a minute or two. Ethan pulled his head back to face me
"Nate I'm so sorry I… I didn't kn-"
I put my hand on Ethans back trying to calm him down.
"You didn't know any better i'm not mad honestly I'm just glad to have you back I thought for years that all of you died that night but I guess you thought that as well"
I wanted to sit and talk more but I knew that we should inform the others before one of them attacks Ethan by mistake. We stood up and began to make our way out but first.
"Ethan, did you run into other people my age perhaps?".
Ethan thought for a moment then said "Oh God I almost forgot" Ethan swiped his hand and a portal opened up and Liam Nick and the 2 twins fell onto the ground with a thud. Liam was the first to wake and he immediately jumped back away from Ethan but I quickly calmed him down. Nick was the next to wake up but it was while I was calming Liam so we didn't notice when he stood up and threw a fist at Ethan, sending him into the wall. Nick threw another punch but I caught it.
"Nick stop" Nick hesitated but eventually stood back. We walked out back through the house until we reached the outside. I immediately noticed Orion and the others step back ready to attack but I was quick to explain what had happened. I looked at Orion who turned to face me.
"What are you going to do now Orion"
Orion looked at Ethan then to me I knew he was giving orders to take Ethan in and I also knew he could beat Ethan in a fight so I was prepared to hold him off while Ethan escaped but to my surprise Orion said.
"I tired to take Ethan but he got away and I lost him… well that's what I'll tell Adrian"
I saw a hint of a smile on Orion's face and I turned to face Ethan.
"Well you heard him Ethan you're coming home with-"
"ORION ANDERSON YOU ARE IN VIOLATION WITH CODE 4 SECTOR 9 YOU WILL BE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND BROUGHT TO ADRIAN PLEASE DO NOT RESIST"
I turned to Orion thinking he was trying to arrest Ethan but he was staring up and I saw the colour drain from his face as he went pale I followed his gaze but I wished I hadn't. Looking up I saw Jade cross Luna storm and Axel Knight Adrian's top soldiers falling towards us.