Heaven & Hell - Animonsters

Prologue

The smokescreen was clearing out, making it possible to see the remains of battle. In the air, though, it was still possible to identify that terrible smell, which carried so many feelings: agony, pain, chaos, destruction, jealousy, pride, victory.

Oh, victory. To achieve it, we would do anything; we have done everything. The lively blood of the enemy spilled over the battleground was proof that we had fought, and won. After so many years, so much time and money invested in the creation of the most beautiful and powerful weapon, there she was, the only one standing strong among the wreckage. Even after releasing all of her power, making her creators proud, her turbines still spinned. Sparks floated around her, reminding everyone that she was the most powerful, no longer were those disgusting creatures, whose bodies were scattered everywhere. Those creatures, who believed to have the power and hability to overthrone us, those who have fought and defied us for so long. They were wrong; and how wrong were they! They had lost the final battle, as expected. They had amazing powers and were surely strong, but not like us. The extinction of their pathetic species was proof of that. No creature would ever beat us. No being would ever overcome human intelligence and bravery. We were the best, are the best and always will be.

No one can stop us.

Ever.

***

"I never really understood the story of how it all started" said the small horse, shaking his head. The sunlight was incredibly radiant that day, making the Animonster's blue fiery mane even more vivid. Even his black fur looked slightly shinier.

Alongside his partner, he walked through one of the most beautiful places they had been in since the day they started traveling - although nothing could compare to the lovely farm where they grew up. The day was also pretty pleasant, warm weather, not a cloud in the sky.

The girl laughed slightly at the horse's comment. She found it funny how her partner would always ask her indirect questions; she believed it was so much easier to cut straight to the point, but that wasn't the only difference between the two. In fact, little did they have in common apart from the fact that both loved being alone.

After thinking for a few seconds, the girl started reciting the speech that she heard when she was still a kid. Since Caroline hadn't lived during the time the war took place, little did she know about what caused it; she only knew her mother's point of view: human's greed and ambition drove them to do unthinkable things in order to remain at the top. Mankind had always killed anything and everyting that threatened their supremacy; with Animonsters it was no different.

"Men didn't wanna be left behind. They envied Animonsters for the power they withheld. So they created this machine, and that's how they were able to dizimate the species, bringing it to the brink of extinction. Only a few survived, but they suffered unexplainable mutations. They are responsible for your hability to speak to me, Fire" explained the girl, pausing when necessary and running her hands through the black horse's fur.

"Animonsters couldn't speak before all of this happened? Unbelievable." he shook his head in disbelief "What about human and animonster relationship? The trust? If they couldn't understand each other, how could they work and fight side by side?" he had so many questions and his curiosity was always huge.

"Trust isn't imposed by words; it is earned over time. Friendship between an animonster and it's human partner is built and, once it starts growing, it can't be broken. Or so it was before the war, at least" she shrugged, still bothered by the events that divided such a balanced world into two parts that fell to pieces "After it's 'end'" she quoted the word, as if to sinalize that it never really ended "the government created laws with harsh panalties for those who broke them, in an attempt to put and end to all contact between the two species. Fortunately, a few people were still willing to risk it all in order to protect and defend animonsters. And that's how they created illegal meeting places, where both species can cohexist in harmony. That's why my mom moved to the suburbs; she fought to keep her animonsters and brought me along so I could grow in contact with them" she sighed, sadly "Still, I wish the world would go back to what it was before the war.

Noticing the sadness in her partner's eyes, the horse immediatly ended the questioning. Sometimes, he forgot his questions could hit her weak spots, but he could always distract her and put a new smile on her face.

"What about this place we're headed to? Are we close?" he asked.

The girl promptly put her hands above her eyes, in an attempt to block the sunlight and see better, yet she saw nothing but beautiful purple flowers scattered all over the prairie. Caroline then took out the map her mother gave, quickly figuring out where they were.

"I think so... It's kinda hard to tell, since we're taking an alternative route away from roads and civilization in general" she still stared at the map, ocasionally lifting her head up to try to find something in her field of vision, but had no luck.

"And, uh... What exactly are we doing once we get there?" asked the animonster, getting closer to his partner to try and see the map as well.

"I'm not sure..." the girl frowned, but soon a smile lit up her face "Isn't that why we're here? For the unknown? The thrill of not knowing what awaits us. That's what moves me" she joked.

The black horse huffed, shaking his head in disaproval, but still smiled; he couldn't deny that his partner's motivation inspired him to stay by her side, always moving forward.

Exchanging looks and laughs, the two companions kept walking as the sun set. Another day had gone by and they knew they were always closer to their destination, what made them anxious. Although Firestarter kept his protective posture, he was as excited about what was coming as Caroline.

What they didn't know, however, was that their journey was a dangerous one. They were headed to a path that had no turning back and they wouldn't get out unharmed.