The wind blew thro0ugh the empty roads long since abandoned. An angel knelt down placing his hands onto the dirt that had taken up residence on this part of the street. Quickly dusting off his hands the angel wiped them clean looking out to the group of younger and less experienced angels.
Turning from the group he looked at the empty buildings which once bustled with life. Letting a sigh passed through him he turned back. "Do you know why we consider this place a 'sacred ground'?" The angel asked gesturing to the city which remained silent and still. His wings spread out giving the feel of a dramatic flourish to the question. The angels stirred unsure of the answer looking out onto their teacher.
The angel let a soft chuckle pass from his lips before letting a mental timer expire. "The answer is because this was a turning point in this world's history. It's creation signaled a new order in which all races proved they could work together."
"What do you mean?" A smaller angel asked raising her hand. The teacher smiled as the answer flooded bittersweet memories of the past back.
"That's a long story...." The teacher smiled softly to the group of younger angels. The group’s lesson was interrupted by a sudden explosion a short ways up the road. The dust settled to the surrounding floor revealing a large Japanese-style arch. The inside of the arch sudden burst forth with flames.
“Sir, isn’t this a gate from some hell realm?” One of the nervous younger asked. The teacher had calmly assessed that it was and that something very strong was coming through.
“Yes and whatever was strong enough to make this gate we’ll have to send back through. We probably couldn’t beat it in an outright fight but if we all push we probably should be able to send it back through. I’ll destroy the gate,” The teacher spoke closing his eyes. A familiar weight rested in his right hand feeling the trusted sword ready for battle.
From the gate a five fingered claw shot out and grabbed the side of the gate. Digging the claws in an entire body was soon shot out of the gate.. The creature was covered in white armor and had two large blue scaled wings. The younger angels rushed the creature trying to throw him back into the gate. The creature raised its claw and suddenly his attackers were encased in ice except for their heads.
A moment passed as the gate sunk back into the ground and the creature stood up looking at its trapped victims. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that technique. Good thing I know how to avoid it,” The teacher laughed standing back from the creature and frozen angels. The teacher let out a soft chuckle, “You young ones are in for a treat. For the first time in fifty years you’re going to meet someone you’ve only heard about.”
The armor faded away into mist revealing a creature whose skin was a mix of human skin and lizard-like scales. His snake-like eyes were a cold blue that scanned the group and then locked on the teacher. The cages around the angels vanished and each stood up looking between their teacher and this creature fresh from the gate.
“Allow me to introduce, Noname, otherwise noted in history as Ru’sala the leader of the water dragons,” The younger angels listened to their teacher. “Now how about you all go ahead and do some reading on who you just met,” The teacher ordered. Without a word of argument the students quickly vanished out of sight.
Noname closed his eyes and listened for a moment. He nodded saying, “Yup, they’re gone.”
“Are you going to explain where you’ve been for the past fifty years?” the angel asked of the dragon.
“I figured that was obvious, Glass. I died within a few seconds of my teacher. In his desperation not to go ‘home’ he grabbed onto me sucking me along. It just took me this long to get back,” Noname sighed. He looked around the deserted city noticing nothing was moving and no sign of life anywhere.
“It was 37 years ago. Everything kind of split apart in the city and everyone just went their own ways. Life goes on though,” Glass explained looking away.
“Well, before we start reminiscing let me go grab the drinks I kept stored for such an occasion. Want to meet me at sundown on the beach?” The dragon offered. Glass nodded following his students to check on them leaving Noname in the silent city.
He walked alone through the streets till he came to area leading to the beach. He followed it and jumped into the water. Swimming along the waters he noticed a particular shine and followed it to a rock where he had several bottles of various drinks kept cold by the native waters. Checking out each one only one bottle had been cracked and the rest were fine.
Returning to the beach he noticed a strange monument on the beach. He walked closer as it slowly became clearer. He got close to it and noticed it was a statue of him! He looked down and read the plaque:
In Loving Memory of Noname aka Ru’sala, may his soul rest in peace. Artist: Elinox
“We felt it was something to do in your memory,” Glass said holding a small satchel. He landed and the two took their seats. From the small pack Glass produced two drinking glasses. Holding them out the pair smiled, “Figured you’d forget about these.”
“Yeah, alright, so it just fell apart? Everyone just started packing up for any real reasons? Rocks falling from the sky?” Noname asked pouring them each a glass of a red bottle.
“Nah, just everyone wanted to make their own way in life, you know? Of course, the Demons were the first to start packing up and move away. Of course, with their new determination, the D.U.K. sprung up,” Glass explained taking a sip of the red liquid. He felt soothing warmth run through his body.
“D.U.K.?” Noname asked raising an eyebrow.
“The Demonic United Kingdoms that covers most of the Asian continent. They’ve become of the four major powers in the world. The other three are the N.A. or Natural Alliance made up of Spirits, Elves, Fae and Therians. They hold Europe while the Dragon Forces occupy the entirety of Africa. The fourth power are the humans who live mostly in South America and Australia,” Glass explained while Noname looked on quietly enjoying his drink.
“Is that so? Whatever became of Zilchy?” Noname asked thinking over the new state of the world.
Glass looked up at the sky deciding to blame the drink and be completely honest, “I was forced to fight him once and banished him from the city. Last I heard about him, he’s Prime Minister in the D.U.K.”
“I see, you have my condolences. He was a bit of a smartass but was actually a good guy.” Noname said refilling both glasses for a new round. He took a slow sip looking out onto the sunset trying to think of everyone who used to occupy the city.
“Before you ask, your kids, they aren’t the head of the dragon forces. In fact, there is no head. They just live there. I did hear about construction on the southern end to make a city there,” Glass said trying to avoid a question.
“Actually I was going to ask about a particular employee of your’s, Freetha. I remember she said she had a thing for you,” Noname grinned thinking back about the city. He noticed the angel slightly choke up and gasp for air.
“Oh, mistress….err….I mean Freetha is doing fine. She’s got plenty of work in N.A. and I hear she’s very popular,” Glass stuttered and looked away at being caught off guard by the question. Slowly his eyes met Noname’s seeing his grin looking at the angel before asking, “What’s with that look?”
“Nothing, but the ‘mistress’ answered my question. At least she was nice to you, she loves redheads,” Noname smiled reaching for a different bottle. This one was green with a clear liquid.
“How would you….forget it. We’ll just drop that topic,” Glass sighed closing his eyes to get re-centered and tried to think of anyone else Noname might ask about. The images of past times in the city flashed through as he said, “Well, Jacareth found someone he’s sharing a den with these days.”
“Hehe, so the little kid finally started getting interested in the fun stuff? Just hope he doesn’t give up completely on his research. He’s got a sharp mind, sharper than my own I’d bet,” Noname grinned emptying the green bottle of its contents, “So how about Chaitea?”
“Chaitea, she’ll never changed. What is it with you dragons and sex anyway? Seems like you’re obsessed with it?” The angel demanded taking a long slow sip.
“We’re long lived and few things don’t get old. Sex is one of those things. So, let’s see, who else was there, of course! My dear friend Elinox, how’s she doing?” Noname smiled watching the sun drop below the surface ever so slowly.
“She’ll be remembered so long as the N.A. is around. They rallied behind her after the city collapsed. She was a member of the court that helped them get Europe. She retired and I believe she just spends her day with her husband and art projects,” The angel thought and decided to add on, “Oh, and a side note. Meadhbh took over the Dauphin after you ‘died’. They’re now all over the world. Though, mind telling me why you never invited me to join that place? I get Zilchy, you two didn’t like each other.”
“Well, I figured Zilchy would figure you were cheating on him if I did. It’s not that I hated Zilchy, we just didn’t seem to get along. What ever became of his little apprentice and that cookie lover ninja of his?” Noname argued grabbing his third bottle. A dark liquid swished around in the dark brown bottle. He poured it out as Glass searched his memory.
“Hmm….let me see. I believe Kayako decapitated some lord and took his place in the D.U.K. She’s still trying to get Zilchy to say she’s ‘finished’ with her apprenticeship. And as for Kahoku…” The angel said taking another sip of the new drink.
“Yes?” Noname asked motioning for an answer.
“Ninja vanish!”  The angel said flaring his wings for added affect. Both sides looked at each other waiting for the other to start giggling before they burst into laughter. The two began to laugh until they cried. They emptied the third bottle into their glasses and drank it up.
“Oh, and here’s something interesting. Your death spawned a band made up of the angel LittleChris, This demon Simmim and this girl named Mo…..something. She’s pretty cute. They now tour around the whole world,” Glass smiled standing up. The sun’s final sliver slipped beneath the sky letting the half moon light the sky above the two. Noname stood up holding the final bottle of drink. It was a deep blue with an unidentifiable liquid. They looked out at the vast ocean silently for a time.
Noname held up the final bottle and poured out the contents into the ocean. “It was great to see you again Glass.”
“Same here Ru’sala. We had fun here. This crazy little city, and what of us?” The angel asked thinking about everything they’ve talked about.
“You go home and I go to meet everyone. What happens next? That’s up in fates and our hands. Just remember brother, life goes on,” Noname said before vanishing beneath the waves.
“Yeah, it does.” The angel nodded before beginning his ascent back to home.