The War

Chapter 2: Nadia Nguyen

She ran down the streets, the sky slowly covered itself with dark gray clouds that would soon pour rain. Echoes of screams and gunshots rang through the air, and the metal footsteps of the newfound enemies came from every direction. Fresh blood splattered on the road, and the dead bodies of the unfortunate lay lifeless.

It was fresh in her mind, and it kept replaying. Mrs. Nguyen's hopeless face flashed at the back of Nadia's mind. She remembers seeing her mother's face for the last time as she made a run for it, turning around and briefly catching the scene of her mother being shot multiple times by those merciless creations.

Yet she questions herself; why?

Nadia was happy with her life, even though it meant not having a father. She was happy living alone with her mother. Why did the heavens have to take it away from her?

Now she ran for her life, ignoring the screams of help and pain from others. She can not bear it any longer.

Her thoughts were suddenly cut off, for she had not been paying because of where she was going.

"Agh!" She exclaimed, going down the short flight of stairs with a harsh thud to the ground. She tripped on a fallen pipe, it seems. She groaned, supporting herself back up with her hands.

In front of her, someone offered a helping hand. "Nadia," a man's voice called. The young female looked up, her eyes widened in hope.

"Uncle Dan!" She smiled, immediately taking the hand of her trusty neighbor and uncle-figure; Dan Smith.

"Thank goodness you're alright, child," Dan said in a hurry. Behind him was his jeep, loaded with the necessary supplies, "Now come, we must get out of here."

He urged Nadia to come with him, dragging her towards his jeep. "Where?" Nadia questioned, trying her best to follow behind him.

``Where on Earth could I be safe from here?`` She thought to herself, hurriedly getting in the passenger side while Dan went over to the driver's side.

"Dimsheild, child," Dan replied, getting in and starting the engine. He quickly put on his seatbelt and drove off. Nadia looked at him, confused.

"Dimsheild?" She repeated, raising a brow. She quickly reminded herself of her seatbelt, realizing how fast they were going. "Where or what on Earth is Dimsheild?"

Dan chuckled at her question, taking a sharp left turn and going straight for the town's exit. "Dimsheild is a hidden empire, Nadia,"

"It's a place far beyond this place, it's where we shall seek refuge."

Nadia tried her best to process the given information, but she couldn't quite pinpoint how Dan knew about this place if it was apparently "hidden".

"Hidden? Then how is it you know of this place, Uncle?" She questioned in a demanding tone. Dan looked over at the young female and sighed. Up ahead was the arch of the town. If they passed it, they'd finally be out of this chaos.

"I know it because that is where I come from, child," Dan replied, pressing on the gas and speeding up. The dusty air smacked against their faces. "Dimsheild is hidden, yes. But it is known to a few, it is an empire of strength," he added.

"Then how do you suppose we get there?" Nadia asked, reminding him that he specifically said it was beyond this place. Dan remained silent and reached down into a bag that had been previously placed by Nadia's feet before their earlier encounter. He took out a black orb and looked up at the arch which they were nearing. His eyes narrowed briefly, then he threw it.

It exploded and became a portal, but what was beyond it wasn't visible. It was a portal that showed emptiness.

"Uncle Dan!" Nadia exclaimed, noticing that Dan was planning to go straight into it. She braced herself for impact, the jeep went through, and the portal closed behind them.

Nadia opened her eyes, scanning the area. In front of them stood a tall wall, reaching such an incredible height. The metal gates which served as the only entrance were open, and guards stood by, guarding the gates.

"Halt! Who dares enter this city?" Yelled one of the guards, marching to the driver's side. Dan had stopped in front of the gate.

"Dan Smith," he introduced himself, giving his ID. It was coded black and almost high-technology. The guard took it, examining the information on it. After a few seconds, he nodded, handing back Dan's ID.

"And who is this young lady, sir?" asked the guard, looking over at Nadia, who sat quietly, watching the conversation go.

Dan answered for her, "A neighbor of mine, back in Quintus. She's innocent."

"How can you be so sure?" challenged the guard.

"Please sir, I swear on my life that I mean no harm," Nadia cut in, almost pleading towards the guard. She looked up at him with pitiful eyes, tired ones to say the least.

The guard pondered for a moment before sighing. He turned and called for his men to let them pass through, and so they did.

When they passed through the gate, and the beautiful empire of Dimshield came into view, Nadia couldn't help but look at the tall buildings in awe. Getting behind the empire's tall walls gave her a sense of safety, and so she relaxed into her seat.

"Beautiful, ain't it?" Dan chuckled, slightly stepping on the gas, and driving down the road. At the very center of the empire stood the main palace, where the rulers resided.

"Up in that palace is King Esmund Osbourn, he oversees this entire empire, child," Dan said, keeping his eyes on the road. Nadia nodded slowly, looking at the palace that slowly came closer as they continued driving on.

"Wait, we're going straight to the palace?" Nadia suddenly questioned, making Dan laugh loudly. "Why, of course!" Dan exlcaimed.

"You are quite a bright child, Nadia, your intelligence is quite useful within the palace," He explained. Nadia blinked at him a few times.

``What?`` She questioned herself, but didn't bother to ask any further. They entered the palace grounds, there, Nadia knew this was going to be a new beginning for her.