From the Ashes: Chapter 2

Drake’s eyes open and he sees two figures standing above him.1

“He might be a Genetico or Eclipta spy?” asked a girl.2

“No, he doesn’t look like it, besides he’s wearing a Great Bull uniform.” said an older man.3

“Oh look! He’s coming around.” said the girl with excitement. “Well, how are you?” Drake sat up slowly and grabbed his head in pain. He then looked to his left and saw a young woman dressed in green and was wearing three belts each with a hand gun strapped on. Next to her was a large man, he looked around forty, he was wearing a military uniform, something Drake had not seen in years. 4

“I have felt better.” said Drake still examining the two strangers. “Who are you and where am I?”5

“I am Isis and this is Ryan and you are at Empire.” said the girl in green.6

“Empire?” questioned Drake.7

“Yes, once was known as New York City.” said Ryan.8

“New York! How did I end all the way up here in New York?” asked a confused Drake.9

“We found you in Hamunaptra, you were shot and bleeding badly.” said Isis. “We brought you here hoping you would survive and tell us, if you knew, what happened at Archangel.” Drake thought about the events at Archangel for a moment and decided he trusted them and would tell his tale.10

“I remember the battle well.” said Drake.11

“You were actually in the battle?” asked Ryan. 12

“Yes, I was the leader of the Great Bulls.” said Drake. “Now, we and the Fallen joined forces to strike against a powerful Eclipta Base. Our forces stood against the technological might of Eclipta for a time, we thought the battle would be won in a matter of hours we were wrong.”13

“You were the leader of the Great Bulls? The Great Bulls?” asked Isis in disbelief. “You worked alongside The Fallen? I’m sorry, please continue.14

“Right when the tides of battle had turned, Genetico reinforcements arrived from Heights, once known as Olympia, Washington. They used more weapons and soldiers and easily pushed out deeply entrenched soldiers. As we retreated they used an ancient weapon, the Atom Bomb. After that I could only remember the sound of an explosion. Then I came from a bunker I was in to see a foreign landscape. Burned and twisted buildings and scorched bodies.”15

“Wow I cannot believe you lived through an Atomic Bomb!” said Ryan surprised. “Your not even radio active according to our equipment, it may have to do something along the lines of your distance from the blast.”16

“So Drake, you lost everything?” asked Isis looking deeply into Drakes eyes.17

“Yes I do remember seeing some Fallen scattered, the leaders were also alive.” said Drake. “I left them and traveled to Hamunaptra and now I am here.” Drake glanced out a hole in the steel walls and saw a sea of ruins. It reminded him of the scene at Archangel. Ryan and Isis left the room for a moment and talked some ideas over, most of which Drake could not hear, but he could care less about what they were talking about, as long as it didn’t pertain to him. He was becoming lost in his thoughts again when the door opened. It was Isis.18

“Drake will you follow me?” asked Isis motioning her hand towards the door. He got out of bed and walked sluggishly. It felt like an eternity walking from one side to the other. He began to follow her up the steel stairs that spiraled upwards and then came to a green steel door. It opened with a bone breaking sound and revealed a platform with a glass looking flame in the center. Drake followed Isis to an edge that looked over the landscape. It was then he realized they were on the Statue of Liberty. There was no water around the island anymore, hadn’t been since the Great Destruction. From the torch he could see one tall building in the center.19

“I love coming up here.” said Isis. “It almost gives the chance to feel free.”20

“What’s that?” questioned Drake observing the tall building. 21

“That is the Empire State Building, the main base of the Imperials.” 22

“Are you apart of the Imperials? I heard they are legendary.” 23

“Yes, my father is Mason Borrow, leader of the Imperials.” Isis sighed and looked away from the buildings and looked at Drake. “My brother Bishop is the leader of the Fallen and my other brother, Rook is the leader of the Clan near Guild Beach.” Drake looked into Isis’s eyes and moved closer to her side. She then told him about the battles she was in and how her brothers left and created their own forces. Drake was truly intrigued by Isis and her battles. He had never thought someone that looked like her would battle he had of course been surprised by others, Serith for example. 24

They both found each other staring at each and were standing really close. There was a moment that was interrupted by Ryan barging in.25