Sanctuary

The refugees from Aranei arrived in Sanctuary, many of them had been affected by the darkness, and walked slowly as they made their way through the gate. One refugee, wearing a worn down hoodie walked along with the crowd, as they walked through the gate, they looked up at the new shining skyscrapers that towered over the city.

A gust of wind blew past the refugee and their face was revealed. Keegan Luna. He walked slowly along with the refugees, getting lost in the crowd.

Watching from high up in the Command Centre was Syl, he was unable to see the faces of those coming into the city, so he didn't recognize his brother.

"Is this truly a wise decision, letting the Araneians into our city?" Syl asked, as he turned to Roisin, Dex and Atlas, who were sat around a meeting table.

"It is our duty to take them in, we can't leave them out there in the wastes, or they'll end up like Amanda" Atlas replied.

"So be it. The Araneians never lifted a finger to help us, they assisted Lumina and the less said about Amanda the better" Syl grunted.

"These are the people responsible for the death of my homeland" Dex sighed. "However, I have to acknowledge that I cannot hold a grudge against every single citizen of Aranei. That would make me no better than they were when they annihilated us" He added. Syl paused for thought as he looked out of the window again, before looking to Roisin.

"What do you think, Ros?" Syl asked.

"They're alive, they're worth saving" Roisin shrugged. Syl looked disappointed with her reply.

"I thought after everything you'd been through, you'd be a little less naive" Syl shook his head. Roisin slammed her pen on the table and stood up.

"What, you'd rather I be like you, distrustful and angry all the time?" Roisin shouted, Syl backed away, surprised by Roisin's outburst. She had very rarely raised her voice to him in the past.

"I..." Syl stuttered.

"I have been through a lot, Syl. I'm 20 now, I'm no longer a little kid. I've made hard decision, I've made choices that I'd have rather not have made. So don't go calling me naive. I'm not dumb, I just didn't let my bruises change me" Roisin continued. Syl frowned.

"Roisin... I'm sorry" Syl sighed. "It's just, I went from seeing you often, to not seeing you in years. In my mind, you're still that 16-year-old, who was excited for her first day at Wynd Academy" Syl explained, as a tear fell from his eye.

"I'm sorry too" Roisin nodded. "You've been through you're own trials, I'm sorry for raising my voice" She added.

"Don't be, Roisin, don't let anyone silence you. Do what your heart and head tell you and don't let anyone stand in your way. I love you, sis... you make me proud" Syl smiled.

"You're getting too sappy now" Roisin winked.

"No, you" Syl retorted, before looking back outside. "Okay, you're right. But still, I think we should at least keep a watchful eye on them" Syl nodded.

"We must be careful" Atlas said, as he sat forward and rested his chin on his hands. "While yes, monitoring them is wise, we must also be careful to not become the villains, it's a very slippy slope, isolating and victimizing a group of people, based on their nationality" Atlas explained, Dex nodded.

"Indeed, that is how these Empires begin, they get power, and they misuse it, and before you know it, the hero becomes the villain" Dex said. Syl pondered for a second.

"You are right" Syl sighed. "Perhaps I am the naive one" He nodded.

"It's a fine line to walk, but we're not walking it alone, we have each other, and the minds of many others, from many different walks of life, if we work together, we can build a nation to be proud of" Atlas smiled. Roisin raised her hand.

"Uh, what's up, Roisin?" Syl chuckled.

"So, like, I didn't want to mention when we were discussing the, ya know, 'serious stuff'" Roisin began.

"Hmm?" Atlas raised his eyebrow. Roisin looked at the middle of the table, at a plate of cookies.

"Can I have one?" She asked. Everyone in the room was silent for a second, before bursting into laughter. "Um, can I though?" Roisin asked, but was drowned out by the sound of laughing. "I don't see what's so funny?" Roisin shrugged, as Dex hugged her.

Outside the citizens of Aranei were lead to their new homes, which they were allowed to choose. Those who succumbed to the darkness were taken to a temporary treatment centre.