You need to bring that child back to the Prime," Pier tried to convince Ace but his decision was already made firmly.

'Bringing Neo back to the Prime will be a glimpse with death.' That is what Ace thought of.

His face went along with his hesitation, tension flashed like a mooring line ready to snap. Ace's mind was made up, the Prime's irresponsibility must be done away and never be trusted again.

Pier got his signal, he remained silent. Arguing will only lead them to no good. Their trek and search for shelter began. Their destination was to go deeper inside Mt. Pleasant. Both of them were ignorant of what lies await behind those trees, but the risk was worth taking.

The leaves trampled and were crushed with their footsteps. Neo just lied asleep on Ace's arms, the infant found comfort and care. Pier led the way, but something made him stop. He froze along with the tensioned air.

Ace followed his course. "Why did you stop?" He asked.

Pier's senses sharpened even more, the noise did not come from them, bellowing footsteps crushed the leaves, but this time even more firmer and forceful. The sound began to walk closer. Pier signaled Ace to stay quiet.

They need a place to hide, the guards have followed them. Quickly, Ace's reflexes pushed him behind the large tree trunk. Pier took cover, but it was a few trees away from him.

"Search the forest! We're not going back without them!" Caesar, the warlord of Sydon, led the search.

He was the most trusted yet brutal ruler ever known to Sydon's army. Cunning, hostile and no light ever existed in his system. He was darkness born to life.

The guards followed, by two pairs they separated. All of them were hoping for an easy search, the whole day was tiring and spotting Ace and Pier will end everything.

Guns cocked and fired, anything that they met along the way was killed and assaulted to death. They were no different from Caesar. The warlord trained his people to show no mercy.

Two guards navigated their way closer to Ace's position. Intuition told them a little secret. Heavy combat boots crushed the twigs, it gave Ace a familiar feeling of deja vu, the same feeling when his family died was brought back. His heart raced and thumped. He can't fight with Neo in his arms.

Gently, he continued to rock Neo. Any sound can endanger them, and now, it wasn't only their lives who were stuck in 50/50 chances. Ace gazed upon the sleeping Neo. Sympathy filled him, Simon reflected his calmness and peace.

'I failed to protect my family, but I won't do the same thing with you Neo.' His statement of assurance echoed.

They remained snuck silently in their hiding place, Ace hasn't yet heard anything from Pier. But his compliance was high, Pier was a warrior. He won't go down without a good fight.

Guards continued to march back and forth, Ace's heart did not stop its loud beating. It joined the loud accompaniment of their augur doom. No one knew if they'll die now, and perhaps, Ace doesn't even want to know.

The tension was too unbearable, his eyelids rolled down, closing in with the darkness. Even his exhaling was highly limited, he held his breath back into his lungs. Ideas of death entertained his mind.

Everything was almost fine and safe for Ace and Neo, but a curious guard started to creep around the large oak. It was only a few feet away from their spot. Ace can hear his steps near his hail.

A tesla gun remained pointed forward, he came prepared. Like a predator sneaking on its prey, the twenty-five year old man eyed his surroundings well. Even the falling leaves did not surpass his sight. He continued to move forward, and there was only at least 39 seconds more before Ace could be captured or killed.

Ace counted his time left, estimations began to flash invisibly. His only option now was to run, hiding will no longer suffice.

His heart banged inside his chest, almost breaking through his ribcage. It'll take a miracle for them to survive this.

With only few seconds left from the countdown, the warlord shouted. "Men! Sydon called us back in!"

The guard's attention was diverted, he stood still and disregarded what his instincts told. The Third most high must not be kept waiting, his call was more important than pursuing two insignificant men.

Everyone pulled through a line, Caesar led the way. Their next stop was Sydon's office. A new declaration will be issued, and their jobs were called to be done.

Finally, like a traveling train, the small army marched to leave. Their footsteps closed out to Ace's hearing. A loud sigh forced out through his mouth. He was keeping everything in for almost twenty-five minutes.

Pier followed, he left his tree trunk.

Doubts and fears began to eat him, the incident scared Pier. Ace was almost caught. "We need to place to hide, somewhere more remote than this." He read Ace's mind, he was also thinking of the same thing.

The two met their gazes, both nodding in response. It wasn't only their lives who are at stake now, Neo must be protected. Before any more danger could catch them up, they continued to sprint for their lives.

Everything colored in black and grey, it was a mellow dramatic scene. Pier and Ace were characters in someone's play, used to fulfill the plans they weren't even aware of.

From the high tower, the Prime could see his son being endangered and dashed away for safety. Yvo speculated and felt the same heaviness. The large hologram for the two runners' pace pinched their hearts.

They weren't only worried about Neo, Ace portrayed what the Hemians experienced. Everyone was suffering, but their will be a perfect time for salvation.

The Prime made his last glance, he never left them. Redemption and justification for his people will crush Sydon and flang him like a headless snake. His plan was just getting started, Sydon will pay...