LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT ´´{NOVA}

[Beatrix]

The streets of Alexandria were quiet. For once, there were no sounds of beasts howling, people screaming or children crying in anguish. Just silence, and the night wind blowing softly. The two moons shined brightly, illuminating the wrecked - but still proud - city.

She leaned against the balcony, watching down at it from the Castle's terraces. They had been reconstructed not long ago - though that had been before the Mist's return and the city's ruin. There had been some sort of attack - though she couldn't remember anything about it. Though, now that she thought about it, she didn't recall ever being to this section of the Castle, or even knowing it existed. Add that to the list of things she didn't remember.

Like that man, Steiner. She had no idea who he was, but her heart raced every time he walked by. She felt a strange guilt too, like the fact that she didn't remember him was a betrayal. He made her feel awkward and vulnerable - two things she wasn't used to feeling. So she avoided him, as much as she could, even though he was the second in command. Strange, she could remember and recognize each of the members of the Squad of Pluto, but not their commander.

The gust of wind dwindled into a soft breeze. There was still silence, but now she could hear the disturbing sucking sound of the Voids faintly in the distance. Or perhaps it was just her imagination. She had gone there to clear her head, as she had often since she had discovered the place. It was high enough to go almost over the Mist. Though her thoughts always took a nostalgic tilt, looking at the city from above. She felt nostalgia for the loss of her abilities, for the friends that were gone, but most of all for Alexandria. Alexandria as it used to be, beautiful and proud, Alexander's sword towering above everything and shinning with defiance. Now it was shattered.

"Alexandria, why did this happen to you....," she whispered softly.

[Ouranus Nova]

This was where my little sister hid...

Ouranus walked through the gates to the castle, the guards seeing the crest that Ouranus beared on her clothing. If she had been a commoner, then she would have been having swords pointed at her. But it was the crest that she had that made the guards murmur among themselves. It was the sign of Abadon, one of the old knights of Alexandria. They kept their distance as the silver haired girl was looking through some of the books that were in the ruined library. She was trying to gather information, any information that could give her what she needed to know what was going on. She had been worried for sometime about the well being of her family, but still nothing in the way of information passed her ears. Could whatever happened to those people happen to them? If so, would it also befall her too?

Ouranus shook her head, walking through the castle as she remembered the various hiding places that they taken when they were children. She knew her little sister had taken shelter within the library whenever they did their seeking. Eventually she had decided to walk outside to get a better view of finding some kind of sign of her family. However, even though it was looking like there was little to no trace of the Nova family, the hope was still there. As she walked upon the stone pathway, she looked up to see a familiar face. The general of the forces of Alexandria and one of the best fighters of the kingdom: Beatrix. She looked up at the general as her golden eyes watched the general. Following her way back up the castle to get to where she was, she simply remained silent at the moment. She had never imagined being able to find anyone from the past, even if it was just someone that her mother told her about. She simply looked at her, not saying much as she stood there. Would she even remember her even if it were just a brief glimpse?

[Beatrix]

Beatrix leaned against the fence, looking up at the night sky. This could her last night at Alexandria. She didn't know what kind of dangers expected her in the new world outside, but it was possible that she would never come back. She had no doubt the prisoner at the dungeons was going to escape, sooner rather than later, and then she would go after him. Only she wouldn't come back. At least, not after she had found out more about the new world and the nature of the disaster that had befallen it. She didn't like leaving Garnet alone, but she had every confidence in her. The delicate little girl she had known had grown into a strong, noble Queen. Plus, Garnet had the commander. Beatrix didn't know him, but he appeared to be competent.

Still, she felt guilty. She felt like she was evading her duties, leaving all her responsibilities behind to go adventuring out into the world. And she was leaving her soldiers behind. They relied on her heavily, even if they didn't look up to her as they once did. Her reputation still inspired respect on most, or at least fear, but they were getting more and more difficult to control. It was the Mist's influence, plus the dramatic loss of her own abilities. There was a time when she could've taken half the army by herself, but now she'd be lucky if she survived against a single squadron. One more thing that this disaster -this calamity- had taken from her.

She heard footsteps. She turned around, and saw a young woman standing there. She was lean and quite attractive, with long sliver hair and golden eyes, which looked stricken. She was dressed as a commoner, and Beatrix was about to ask her how she had gotten through the guards when she noticed the crest. It was silver in color, featuring two crossed swords behind a closed fist; Abaddon's crest, the Nova family's insignia. A symbol that commanded respect and fear in many, though to Beatrix it brought back warm memories, and a sense of loss. And a pinch of guilt, since it reminded her of a promise she hadn't been able to fulfill. "That's Abaddon's coat of arms," she stated, gesturing towards the crest on the girl's shoulder. "Are you Ouranus?"