WARNING:

This story contains very sensitive topics, such as:
Sexual assault, Gun violence, Murder, Abuse, Suicidal Ideation.

IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THESE SUBJECTS, DO NOT READ THIS.

IF YOU CONTINUE READING, YOU ACKNOLEDGE THE CONTENT WARNINGS.

CHAPTER 1 - Happy Birthday, Ember.

“Happy Birthday, Ale- sorry, I mean Ember. How’s my favorite son doing today?” Armdeus smiled, “It’s not every day you turn 15.”

“I’m excited because next year I can drive and vote!” Ember was wagging their tail from the hype. Nothing could match their Father’s surprise at the end of the day.

“There’s the birthday boy.” Fritz yelled, with some malice in his voice.

He was always weird to Ember, always cracking the strangest jokes known to entity-kind, but Ember always brushed it off as him imitating his friend, Xavior. Who, although, a year younger than him, generally has a more mature sense of humor.

“How have you been, Brother?”
Ember asked.

Ember was always scared of Fritz. He was hanging out with all these mafia members- what was up with that? Fritz, regardless, was only into harmless fun. Dumpster diving and shoplifting was the most he did with Ember. While being 15 years older than them; it was still great that the two brothers got along well despite the generational divide.

“Oh nothing of the sort. Say, I have my own present for you. It’s a big day for you isn’t it. I have to pay you back for the gift you gave me.”

The gift in question was handmade shoes, they were dark, with a purple tint to them. Ember knew Fritz would like them, and their estimate was correct.

“Fritz, you’re so thoughtful. Honestly how could I go without proper guidance from you”

Ember would quickly regret these words, as their father chimed in

“Hey I raised you too! but he did a good job showing you how to do things I guess.”

Fritz snarled “Indeed I did.”

“And I’m still alive so that’s something”

Everybody gave a chuckle as they reminisced.
Fritz looks at Ember, Ember looks at Fritz. These two were inseparable. Like the yin yang: these brothers were destined to do something, but what? Something grand clearly, but was it good or was it maybe bad? Who knew?

Fritz broke the laugher, “Hey Ember, come with me. I’ll show you something cool I made for you upstairs. It’s in my room”
Ember, knowing Fritz’s knack for good surprises, went with him. However, Ember was really confused. Couldn’t he just bring down the gift?

“I want to play a.. super fun game with you, c’mon let’s go”

Fritz motioned for Ember to come up the stairs. They were now even more concerned. Ember’s gut feeling told them to run away and go back to the cake that was sitting in the dining table, but.. Fritz was their brother after all. The worst it would be is a Jack in the box prank with a dead bird. Albeit disturbing, it’s still not too bad.

“I’m coming up now” Ember shouted.

Hooves rushing up the stairs as Ember’s fur spiked as Ember ran through a list of potential games. Hide and seek?
That was a favorite. Four Square with new high tech robots Fritz created? Could be. Oh the possibilities.
Fritz opened his room door. The bed was nicely made this time. His mirror was still cracked after a fight with his boyfriend, Altair Moone Cadente. Poor Altair, he was kinder than Fritz. Always Altair would bring spare change for Ember. Fritz never really did that. Fritz’s windows were shut and the blinds down. You couldn’t see the beautiful view of the peak of the alps from here. Nor could you see the freshly falling snow. Inside, the smell was of lavender and cigars, a weird combination.
Fritz shut the door and locked it.

“So, what game would we be playing?”
Ember asked.

Fritz stayed silent as he unlocked a drawer filled with weird things. Fritz clearly calculated this.

Ember asked again. “What’s the game, Fritz.” Ember was uneasy at this point.

Fritz grabbed something and walked towards Ember. They were sweating and shaking. What was going on? Why would my brother show this to me? Why can’t I open the door? Why is everything sound proofed?!? What is going on? Is this a nightmare? No. Nightmares don’t occur at this age, it couldn’t be. This is real, isn’t it? Oh.

“You’re going to help me with something. Altair can’t do it himself because he’s a puritan so..”

Fritz’s words hit them like a bullet to the head. What the fuck does this mean? This is weird I want out. Does he know this is innappropriate?

“You’re going to do what I want you to.”

Fritz’s words became a blur as thoughts ran through Ember’s head. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING THIS CANT BE REAL BUT IT IS IM SCARED WHERE IS MY FATHER FRITZ IS DEAD TO ME AFTER THIS WHAT THE FUCK. Ember began to scream.

“..These walls are soundproof. Scream all you want, here, I’ll scream with you too,” Fritz screamed in a harmony with a mocking tone.

Ember was shocked. Is this what I’m going to have to do? They hoped Armdeus would call for dinner early.

“Either way I’m going to get what I want. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Fritz snarled as he took off his shirt.

“Can’t we just go back downstairs? I’ll forget this moment and we can go back to being chill” Ember tried to reason to a brick wall at this point.

“Oh well.” Fritz snarled.

“You’re going to take this and we'll do this every week or else I’ll kill our father, then you.”

Ember was shocked. “Why are you doing this? What is wrong with-“

Ember was cut off. Fritz slapped Ember across the face.

“Oh shut up.” Fritz’s words ringed through Ember’s ears.

I think you know what happened next. Bad things happen to good people all the time, you know. Nobody but Fritz and Ember knew what happened that night, and, to be honest, nobody else wants to know either. After Fritz horribly assaulted and harmed Ember for around an hour, Ember, eager to go back downstairs to the safety of their father’s embrace, runs right out of the room after Fritz is done.

“FATHER FATHER” Ember cried.

Armdeus was holding a paper, looking happy. He didn’t know what happened.

“Fritz-“ Ember was cut off. Remember what he would do to you if you told anybody.

Fritz came down the stairs like nothing happened, infact, he has a grin so wide you’d think he won the lottery. How cruel.

“Ember now now, it’s our secret.” Fritz adjusted his shoes as he grabbed some cake.

How insensitive and cruel is this guy? Seriously. He was nice to me just so he could take advantage of me? How dare he.

Armdeus shouted “I paid for your top surgery! I know you’d love this gift!”

Ember eased up. Atleast at the end of the day, I keep him safe.

“Thank you.” Ember couldn’t hug Armdeus right now. Ember was a little tense after what just happened. I’m not going to recover from this aren’t I?

Ember went to bed that night, clearly shaking and crying, but nobody heard them.

Out of all 60 million residents of the isles of Eden, why was it me that got hurt like this? Well, I need to figure out a plan to stop this shit from happening. Fritz isn’t going to win. He won’t.

He is no longer my brother, but an enemy to the people.

CHAPTER 2 - The Plan

Ember glared at the TV, then at the remote, then made eye contact with Fritz. It’s been several months since the incident happened, and multiple others happened. Every week they’d have to do things with Fritz. Unspeakable things. Things no person should be doing every saturday. Armdeus, their father, wasn't home. For he was out on a trip. Fritz had almost total control of Ember, except, thoughts. Ember knew that they couldn’t solo Fritz in a fight, not like this. They needed external help. Maybe, just maybe, if Altair knew.. He’d beat the shit out of him. Wait, there's an idea. Ember would have to leave now while Fritz was sleepy and drunk. Altair just lives on the other side of the alps, and Ember was quite immune to the cold. Despite being nude.

“I'm going to go grab us a beer, okay?” Ember asked, visibly shaking and full of adrenaline.

Fritz, almost throwing up replies “Yeah * hic * please do.”

Ember just ran out of the door. Fritz was way too drunk to realize what was going to happen to him, and rightfully so, he was going to get his shit tossed.

“I can't believe that actually worked.” Ember ran and ran, for around a mile. Ember wasn't sweating, but was sure getting their armpits frozen from the extreme weather.

Knock Knock Knock

Ember was pounding at the door, its getting winder.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Ember is panicking.

“Hello! Welkom!” Altair’s voice was like three hail marys.

“Hey can I come in and talk to you for a sec- and please, do not let Fritz in. As much as you love him, I think that's going to change today.” Ember sighed

“Why are you naked? Come, I'll give you some spare clothes my friend.” 

Altair closed the door behind him, as he added more logs to the fireplace. Ember put on some boxers and a shirt and was served hot chocolate.

“So, tell me, what's going on. You look like you’re in trouble.” Altair was softly spoken and probably couldn't predict what was about to come out of Ember’s mouth.

“Ever since i turned 15, Fritz has been hitting me, kicking me, attacking me, yelling at me, and... well.." Ember looked up at Altair, and then whispered into his ear. "This has happened to me every week. I need your help. I'm scared and lost and..”

Altair’s eyes widened. You could tell his heart broke.

“I'm so sorry that happened. I’ll take care of him. Please, stay here until I return. Where is he now?”

“He’s at home on the couch. He's naked and drunk but I hope he gets what he deserves.”

Altair stormed off, but before he left, he said to Ember:

“He's not my boyfriend anymore. I can't defend him anymore.”

Anymore? What else did Fritz do? Surely he wasn't a part of the mafia now was he? Altair, putting on a winter jacket, ran and left. He brought a gun with him. It had one bullet. One task. Kill Fritz Agilo Louge Brute. Altair was determined to bring justice, despite not knowing Ember well, and knew that this was the most holy and righteous thing to do. He, as a pastor, knew that if he knew about this and let it fly under the radar, it would be a betrayal to God and himself, and everybody else who counted on him. Altair burst through the door.

“Want to explain yourself?” Altair snarled.

Fritz was too busy making out with his side piece, Xavior Heartsick. Still naked. Altair lost even MORE respect. So what, he’s cheating now? Tsk. I’ll still handle this.

“In a moment im fucking somebody who I actually like” Fritz drunkenly yelled.

 It was evident this man did not give a damn, and Altair just had to shoot right in the head. Altair slowly drew his gun, it was an 1917 AMT hardballer to be exact, it had a few scratches on it and a name carved into it, “For Altair”. It was Fritz’s gift. He, shaking a little, aimed for Fritz’s head as Xavior was too busy sucking the target off. Quite the sentence isn't it?

“God will send you to the deepest pits of hell.” Altair muttered under his breath as a shot was fired. It hit.. ..the wall.

“What do you think you can do to me? Stupid bitch with no manners.” Fritz got up, not caring if he was clothed or not, he rushed towards Altair.

He had fury in his eyes. Altair couldn't tell what Fritz was thinking in these moments, except that he was going to kill him, and that he had to run for backup, just as Ember did. Altair ran out the door, shivering in cold but he’d rather freeze than find out what Fritz would do with him. Now all fully clothed, Xavior drew a gun and started firing at Altair, all missing. Altair found some extra bullets on the ground, and he loaded them by instinct. He then fired at the two. It was a shootout at this point.

Shots kept coming and going like it was a highway, eventually, the garish dance of bullets came to a halt. There was a shot to the head. Altair was now dead. His blood painted the freshly fallen snow, his brains everywhere, like pieces of him longed to continue his journey for help. Blood clots gave the snow more character, as Xavior and Fritz loomed over his body. It was clear he was dead the moment the bullet hit him. Fritz had another idea with Altair. He was going to use his horns as a knife for when Ember comes back, now, he just had to find Ember, or did he have to?

In an unfortunate twist, Ember came back, thinking Fritz was dead. Xavior had already left at this point, and they noticed Altair standing up weirdly, he was bleeding and horns sawed off, but he seemed okay.

“Ohhhhh I thank you for doing this!” Ember hugged Altair.

Ember then noticed he was hugging Fritz holding his corpse, chuckling.

“You know he's not that good at combat right? My dove you tried your best to escape? I'm doing you a favour.” Fritz was laughing.

This scene was quite disturbing for Ember. They just sent an innocent man to his death…

“Let me go, you pedophile.” Ember demanded now, maybe pleading could work?
“Yeah no sorry that's not going to happen. Get inside now.” Fritz was serious. This was going to be bad.

Ember’s hair was pulled and Fritz started kicking and hitting them in the stomach. Clearly he was trying to make Ember throw up blood.

“This is what ungrateful bitches like you deserve.”

Ungrateful? Ember had nothing to be grateful for.

“Huh? I have nothing to be thankful for, you take advantage of people like me. Admit it, Fritz, You’re a horrible person. I just want peace.” Ember, in a weakened state, then collapsed.

Fritz picked up Ember’s unconscious body, and, you know what he did.

“That should shut you up.” Fritz grinned as he untied Ember.

Ember just woke up. Their heart POUNDING.

“Why do you do this to me?” Ember asked

“Because, if you don't know, people desperately want my body and i'm giving it to you for free, you should be grateful. Especially since you're still so young.. And so sexy… just don't tell anybody at school, okay?”

It was almost time for Ember to go back to school for year 11. This was not going to be good. If a rumor started about this stuff, Ember could get hurt even more. After this year, Ember was going to drop out and run away from everything and everyone and just go away.

“Okay.” Ember’s voice was now soulless and hollow.

How much of this could they take before killing themselves? It was a thought at the back of the mind but it wouldn’t be a possibility, Fritz wouldn’t let them. Fritz wouldn’t let them do anything that would be seen as an escape from his abuse.

“I’m not that bad but you have to know that.. I love you, we can do this together and I can let you do things to me too.” Fritz smirked as he lent a hand.

Did he seriously think that he’s a saint? Not only did he kill, but he was a pedophillic rapist who all his younger brother knows about him is things a family member shouldn’t know about somebody’s body. He’s a fucking hypocrite. No way was Ember gonna agree to this.

“I’ll think about it.” Ember turned around. 

"Never in a million years." Ember’s soulless voice just walked upstairs, covered in blood, and cried to sleep.

The following years, 16, 17.. Ember would be subjected to Fritz’s abuse, screaming, hitting, you get the deal. Nobody else knew, except one person, Ozias “Ozzie” Ascia.

Ozzie, he was Ember’s new boyfriend. They met when Ember was 18. Ozzie was a little older, just at 20.

Ozzie broke the silence, “I’m so sorry all of this is happening to you.”

Ember nodded. “Could I stay over at yours for a bit?”

“Sure, just, tell Fritz you’re going on a trip. I’m sure he wouldn’t bat an eye to that.”

“Can do.” Ember was happy now. Finally a chance to break free.

Ember then went home and showed a permision form for a trip from Ember’s aviation classes. “Can you sign this. Father won’t be back for a bit.”

Fritz eyed the paper, he was clearly skeptical. His tail was lashing, he then looked up.

“You may go.”

Holy shit that actually worked.

“Thank you. I will be back in two weeks” Ember shut the door after grabbing some stuff.

Although Armdeus wouldn’t be back in two weeks, Ember would be back just in time for Father to come back. They were going to get Ozzie and him to stand up to Fritz, so Ember could be free. Ember, rightfully so, was hopeful for the near future.

CHAPTER 3 - Sleep Well, Emberz

Ember’s hooves were cracked when they entered Ozzie’s house. He lived alone as he just served In the military, the third great war just concluded after 4 years. There was a staleness in the air, but it was comforting.

“Welcome” Ozzie motioned for Ember to come inside.

“Where do I sleep?” Ember sat down

Ozzie prepared a cup of coffee. “Anywhere you’d like.”

Ember cuddled up to Ozzie, clearly wanting to show affection but feeling scared on how.

“I just don’t get why he did all of that, how bold he is to kill somebody who loved him” Ember rested their head on Ozzie’s shoulders.

“Luckily, he won’t find you. You don't have to return- you can stay here. My doors will always be open for you.” Ozzie flicked the channels to see what was on.

A news report came up, “BREAKING NEWS! BOOKER HEARTSICK ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT, PROSTITUION, SEX TRAFFICKING, GAMBLING, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MURDER CHARGES. HE WAS THE DON OF THE HEARTSICK FAMILY. HIS SON, XAVIOR HEARTSICK, IS CURRENTLY MISSING.”

Ember was shocked, Ozzie was not.

“FRITZ HAS TIES TO THE MAFIA?!?” Ember choked on their food

Ozzie, in a calm tone, replied. “Oh yeah I knew that for years.”

Ember turned to Ozzie. “What.”

“Yeah I’m a part of that too, since somebody burnt down my animal sanctuary I upkept since I was 12. I joined it only to make money. I don’t engage in anything too illegal. The worst I’ve done is kill the murderers and sex traffickers. It’s quite joyous.” Ozzie said this as if it was nothing.

Ember was quite disturbed, but at least he used his power for good.

“Eventually, I’ll rat everybody out and get them behind bars.” Ozzie then got closer to Ember to whisper something.

“I can definitely tell you that Fritz is low ranking. He won’t rise anytime soon. I’m the new advisor. Xavior is too immature, there will probably be an acting boss before he becomes don. That process might take a while..”

Ember was relieved. They clearly had the upper hand. All they knew was; they were safe now.

“I’d like to sleep near you tonight.”

Ember cuddled up to Ozzie, and like two otters, they were all bundled up. Like a safety net, as they both drifted off to sleep.

“Hello?” Ember’s voice echoed in a cold cemetery. Their hooves were scratched and bloody.

“Hello, Ember. How about I start calling you Emberz now since you feel like adding random shit to others lives is a good idea.” It was Fritz.

“What do you want from me?” Ember scowled while being backed into a corner.

“I want you to realize that this is for your own good.” Fritz started tearing Ember's legs off.

Ember couldn’t move. No, not even speak. The pain was so unbearable that their brain started to ache.

“Now you can’t run from me, my dove.”

It is sick how Fritz would always call Ember “Dove”. The joke wrote itself.

“I’m all you need, I’m not that bad as you recall.” Fritz started to walk up to Ember, he took off his coat.

“Just let me do this. It makes you feel good doesn’t it?” Fritz started to touch Ember’s chest. Their chest hadn’t healed from surgery yet.

Ember was on the verge of throwing up. Why did he think they wanted it?

“I speak to you in dreams as I cannot reach you while you are on this trip.”

He still thinks I’m on the trip? That’s good. I’ll fake my death too.

Fritz leaned in, as Ember got covered with red sludge, it was poison. Ember didn’t want this. Nobody wanted this.

“Emberz, relax. Nobody believes you anyways. You can call me by my other name if you want to, I certainly don’t mind. I just want you as mine. You’re pure and you just give me reason to sin.” Fritz started to take off his shirt, he clearly wanted to harm Ember further.

“I don’t like this.” Ember looked away

“What?” Fritz becomes irritated

“I said I don’t like this, Fritz. This isn’t right. I would never want this, not in any universe or dimension or whatever the fuck.” Ember, still bloody and covered in sludge, backed away.

“How dare you oppose me? I simply refuse to lose. I want you, and I will have you. I dont like your attitude.” Fritz then turns over Ember and..

“GET OFF OF ME!” Ember screams as Ember flails their hooves and hands in the air.

“You alright? Bad dream?” Ozzie quickly grabs a box of tissues.

“Yeah.. I… I think Fritz can come into my dreams now.” Ember was feeling their legs. It was a dream. Thank goodness.

“Mimics can do that, yeah.” Ozzie turned on a nightlight.

“If you’d like, you can tell me.” Ozzie’s tail wrapped around Ember, trying to comfort them.

“Will I be okay in 5 years?”

“Yes. I will be there to protect you.”

Ember then cried to sleep, but at least they had somebody to cry to.

CHAPTER 4 - Snapped

It has been a year since Ember last had to go to Ozzie’s place. Armdeus was home more often and Fritz only visited from time to time. For when things happened, Ember would let do Fritz do his thing, as Ember wasn’t strong enough to stop him, yet. After Fritz’s disastrous 35th birthday, which ended with Ember losing some skin and fur from that freak explosion, Fritz already went to work.

“Why are you ignoring me?” Fritz stomped around, angry.

“I’m not, I’m just very injured. Explosions to the back and neck aren’t exactly… good.” Ember was already more uneasy than usually when Fritz would do things.

“No. look at me, Emberz.” Fritz slapped Ember across the face.

Ember was seriously about to snap. Ember was so done with the silence, with this bullshit.

“Okay look. I’m done doing this shit. Fuck you and go to hell. I’m leaving tonight.” Ember goes to the door, but is stopped.

“You aren’t leaving, Emberz. I’m going to keep you forever.” Fritz’s grip tightened.

Fritz begins to caress Ember, but finally, Ember snaps.

“FUCK OFF YOU GREASY SACK OF SHIT.”

Ember decks Fritz in the face and tries to kick him.

“You shouldn’t have done that. Emberz I love you, why did you do this? You could have been my pet. Everybody wants me and I’m giving it to you for free!”

Fritz grabs Ember and gets on top of them. Ember though that they’d be subjected to more of Fritz’s torture, but in a worse turn of events, Fritz starts clawing at their neck. Blood is flying everywhere.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING.” Ember is panicking… Armdeus is going to be home soon. He will NOT like the scene of his two sons fighting, and the reason too is plenty worse.

“I HATE YOU I HELPED YOU WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?” Fritz thought he was in the right as he said this.

Fritz grabbed a dagger and started cutting Ember open. But as he was doing so, the door creaks open, and..

Armdeus comes home to a sight no father would ever want to see.

“Ember? Agilo?” He used Fritz’s old name. He’s already pissed.

Fritz stands up, “It’s not what it looks like.” He’s trying to defend himself

Ember can’t talk, so Ember just covers their neck to stop the bleeding. Armdeus just stands there.

“You see, this ungrateful whore decided to not take it.” Fritz just outed himself in his fury.

“What. Did. You. Do?” Armdeus is already angry as hell, now the implication could be that Ember might have a chance.

Fritz, stammering over his words, “We’re only partially related it’s okay.”

“You both came out from me. Considering that Ember is lying on the floor dying here, they were forced into it right?” Armdeus wasn’t having it.

“Yeah but-“ Fritz was stopped

Armdeus charged up, using the last of his power from his royal life years ago. The one that, Fritz at 14, completely ruined.

“AGILO, STOP!” Armdeus pulls Fritz off of Ember. Ember is close to death, their world turns dim.

“Leave this house and never come back. You are no longer my son.”

Armdeus was ready to kill Fritz over this. Deep down he knew what had happened after this. He felt guilty for not realizing sooner.

“Im going to make everybody resent you, you’ll see my face in hell as I torture you there more. My boss doesn't like you, he never will, and he’s going to kill you someday.”

These words rang in Ember’s ears.

I'm already dead anyways, nobody can survive this.

Ember fell unconscious, poor Ember.

CHAPTER 5 - Where Am I?

“Where am I?” Ember was woozy and ill.

“You are very lucky to be alive.” The doctor does checks on Ember

“We just need to ask you a few questions about this.” The doctor adjusted his glasses.

“Okay.” Ember was still waking up.

“Were you the one who started the fight?” The doctor took a seat

“No” Ember sounded very groggy, very... tired.

“Did you know the person who did this?” They knew for sure who did it.

“He was my brother. His name is Fritz Agilo Louge Brute.”

“Were you alone?”

“Somewhat. Father walked in just in time.”

“What was the fight about?”

“He was trying to rape me.”

“Has this happened before?” The doctor seemed to get uneasy, but kept his composure. This was his job after all.

“Yes. Ever since I was 15, yes.”

“Who is your emergency contact?”

“Ozias Ascia and Armdeus Brute.”

“Thank you for your time. They will be called shortly”

The doctor left.

Ember was now alone. How lucky are they? Nobody knows. The odds of survival were low, but Ember was scarred up even more. There was now a huge gash on their neck. The fur couldn’t regrow for years so they’d have to wear turtlenecks and scarves to cover it up.

“Hey are you okay?” Ozzie came in, with a bouquet of flowers. He was worried sick.

“Yeah I’m fine. Will Fritz harm me again

“No. He seems to be dead.”

“Okay.”

“I got you some flowers, your favourite color too, magenta.”

“Thanks, I’ll be going to sleep, but, I appreciate it.”

Ozzie smiled as he shut the door. The lights were dim. Ember would be here for a while, but the peace didn’t last long.

Ember woke up in the same corridor. Clearly Fritz was still alive.

“Emberz what did you do.”

Fritz came out of the shadows.

“You did this to yourself.” Ember looked up at Fritz and spat in his face.

“No I didn’t. You did. Mark my words, I’m going to find you, and I’m going to make it all worse. You’ll pay for it”. Fritz chuckled.

Fritz’s image faded, and Ember woke up.

“You’ve been out for a few weeks, cmon it’s your birthday let’s go out!”

Ozzie gave Ember his hand.

“Is the bill paid?”

“Yep. I also paid for the last remaining bit of your bottom surgery. Consider this my birthday gift to you.”

It’s been many years since Ember felt more safe. How lucky can one Boarlin be? Now, it was time for Ember to recover. For the nightmare was over for now.

CHAPTER 6 - Talk To Me

It's been a week since Ember left the hospital. They come home to everything stolen. Fritz must have broken in while everybody was at the hospital. Pathetic. It's clear they couldn’t live there anymore. Armdeus, older and more frail after the fight, was ushered into Altair’s old home. This was closer to Overgrowth City, but it had more of a cavern-like structure to it. This would be the last place Fritz would look.

“Finally, quiet.” Ember looked down at their tea.

“I’m very sorry I didn’t realize sooner.” Armdeus felt very guilty, despite doing nothing to deserve it.

“It’s okay pops, it wasn’t your fault. However, it was mine. I let it drag on and-“

“Don’t blame yourself for the actions of others.” Armdeus was more frail now, he was on the verge of a heart attack. I wouldn’t blame him, he just got over the fact that his middle child was a rapist and abuser.

“But why.” Ember was nervous and shaking.

“Even if you stood up to him earlier, the outcome would have been the same. I’ll admit it was more so my fault. I saw signs earlier on, before you were... born.”
Armdeus got up, almost falling as he did.

“You okay dad?” Ember was getting concerned, Armdeus’ face started to get droopy

“Yeah… I’m..” Armdeus collapsed on the floor

“HOLY SHIT” Ember rushed to the phone and called 911, ambulances came and took him away.

Ember tried following the ambulance but got lost.

“Well suppose I get a quick drink then continue my search.” Ember really needed just a shot to wipe their mind off of things. Despite how irresponsible that would be right now..

“Can I have a blue starstruck please?” Ember sat down.

“Wait a moment, how old are you, little angel boy?” Ember looked down at the short angel with black hair.

“I’m 15, and I’m is Nacho”

“And I’m Carl, I’m looking after him, and it’s “my name is Nacho” .”

“Oh okay thanks!” Nacho drank some “water”

Ember was stunned. How the fuck did they let a kid and a robot into here?

“Well I’m Ember Paganini Brute, what brings you here?”

Nacho and Carl looked at eachother

“We kind of wanted to let loose after a long day.” Carl sighed as Nacho looked around.

“Well, so do I, except it’s a long few years” Ember drank.

“Mind telling us?” Carl opened his drinking slot and poured his drink into it. Surprisingly, robots can drink and eat.

“It’s too much. I’d be here forever, and, I don’t think the young one would wanna know.” Ember kept drinking

“It okay, we’re just tired because we tried to get rid of the mafiosos here” Nacho drank a ton of vodka

“Oh?” Ember’s interest sparked.

“Yeah, we mess up their plans and we ensure that the public knows about it. Carl 's our.. cual es la palabra?.” Nacho drank more.

“Rata en inglés es rat” Carl helped Nacho with putting his words together

“He’s our rat.” Nacho drank even MORE.

“First of all, you shouldn’t be drinking.” Ember takes away Nacho’s bottle of vodka. It’s labeled “Botella de Agua” (water bottle).

“Hey…” Nacho was upset.

“Secondly, I have problems with them too. My brother, he’s in it and he’s doing bad things to me and others. I just got out of the hospital.. oh crap.”

Ember remEmbered that their father might be dying.

“Shit look man I gotta go but here’s my number, I’ll help you out.” Ember takes their drink, pays quickly and leaves for the hospital.

“Ese tipo es stupido” Nacho begins to chuckle

“Lo sé bien, pero Ember podría ayudarnos a deshacernos de Xavior... hmmm” Carl was thinking.. maybe Ember could help them.

Ember arrived at the hospital, slightly drunk.

“You okay?” Ember looked at Armdeus. Then back at the doctor.

“Tell me Doctor, will he be okay?” Ember was going to cry.

“Yes, he will be fine, but you must keep more of an eye on him.” She left the room.

“Father, look , I'm sorry.” Ember started pleading.

“It’s okay, I’m okay.. just..” Armdeus went to sleep. He was exhausted from the stress. His snores were quite loud.

“I love you. You’re the best father anybody could ever ask for. You’ve been supportive of me ever since I was born. Thank you dad.” Ember stayed at the hospital, making sure Armdeus was okay.

CHAPTER 7 - Confrontation

Fritz taps his foot. Tap tap tap..

“Emberz is such an ungrateful bitch…” tap tap tap

He was clearly still obsessed. He desperately needed therapy but I don’t think he wants it.

“I loved them the way I love everybody. I see I did nothing wrong and I paid an unjust price for it.” Fritz started wrecking his office.

“This is fucking MEAN TO ME” He smashed all the lights.

He’s literally crashing out.

“For FUCK SAKES.” He rips off his shirt in Anger.

“YOU KNOW WHAT! If I see that fucking pig ever again I’m going to do something so BAD it will want to kill itself. I… I… I’m going to see them again in the dream hall.”

Fritz falls asleep, in hopes of walking in Ember’s dreams to haunt them again.

“Hello Emberz” Fritz walks up to Ember and holds them down.

“You wanna play smart now huh? Wanting to escape me?” His teeth grit.

He starts slapping Ember and hitting them. They don’t have any reaction.

“Leave me alone.” Ember stands up despite Fritz’s strength.

“No. I will get you no matter how far you may run, no matter how far you’ll go. You will be mine.” Fritz smiles. This is a sick game to him.

“I wish to be rid of you, your name, your face, your memory.” Ember starts restraining Fritz from his attempts.

“You are not welcome here anymore, I wish to be free.” Ember continues.

“I am not Emberz, I am Ember, I am my own person and it’s not up to you to decide it. It’s not your duty to govern me. I am not your fucking puppet.” Ember stands tall.

“No, we are meant to be. I am Fritz Agilo Louge Cadente now, too. I took Altair’s last name so people would think you killed him."

“Nobody cares or believes you tho.” Ember was confused, what relevance does that have.

“You are sick and disgusting. Not even your own mother wanted you back after what you did before i was born.” Ember was getting pissed.

“Shut up. Just shut up.” Fritz blocked out Ember’s words. He was gonna start playing victim

“I’m the victim here! You keep being mean to me for no reason.” Fritz yells at Ember.

“Victim? VICTIM?! Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME.” Ember lost it. He was gonna try to change the narrative.

“YOU HIT ME, HARMED ME, YELLED AT ME, RAPED ME AND MADE ME HURT PEOPLE. AND YOU HAVE THE FUCKING AUDACITY TO TELL ME IM THE ABUSER HERE.” Ember was furious.

“YOU ARE SICK, AGILO. Yeah I’m calling you that. Erase the fucking past all you want but everybody knows what you are, pedophile.” Ember breaks the dream, the hallway disappeared. Ember rose up.

Fritz woke up, it seemed as if he clearly wasn’t done.

“If they are going to call me by Agilo, then they can take this dick.” Fritz stormed out of his office, and started walking towards Ember’s (old) house.

“Stupid bitch stupid bitch…”

Then, out of absolutely nowhere, a semi trailer tractor truck struck him. He was bleeding out and on the verge of death. Obviously he’s still alive but he’s going to be in the hospital for a while. He repeated multiple phrases like "Emberz did this" or "Its their fault" to emergency responders. Pretty sure people think hes mentally insane.

CHAPTER 8 - Channel Surfing

Ember lazily flicked through channels, eyes half-lidded with boredom. Static, infomercials, and reruns of sitcoms blurred together. Just as they were about to give up and toss the remote, the blaring sound of a news alert caught their attention.
“BREAKING NEWS! A VERY DRUNK MIMIC MALE WAS STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRAILER TRACTOR TRUCK. HE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THE DRIVER REMAINED ON SCENE.”

Ember blinked, sitting up a little. "Hold up, is that—?" Their eyes narrowed at the screen. The camera panned over the crash site, a crumpled figure being loaded onto a stretcher.

"Wait a damn minute..." They leaned forward.

Armdeus, who had been half-asleep on the couch, rubbed his face and squinted at the TV. "Hmm. I guess it is."

Silence filled the room for a beat. Then, Ember snorted. A sharp, uncontrollable laugh burst out of them.

"Ahhhhh, fuck that bitch!" They doubled over, clutching their stomach. "He deserved it!"

The laughter was infectious. Armdeus stared at the screen for another second before suddenly throwing his head back with a loud, wheezing cackle. "This is—this is the funniest thing—Oh, karma!" He slapped his knee before rolling onto the floor, shaking with laughter.
Ember wiped a tear from their eye, struggling to breathe. "I— I just— I can't take this seriously!" They gasped, slapping Armdeus' arm weakly. "Dad, help me up, I—I'm dying!"

Armdeus reached up, still laughing, his entire body trembling. "Ohh, ohh—this is so gold." He pointed weakly at the screen as the footage replayed, showing Fritz's barely-conscious body being ushered into the ambulance.

"Look, look, they’re carrying him like a ragdoll!" Ember wheezed.

Armdeus wiped at his eyes, breathless. "Oh man, imagine waking up in the hospital, realizing you got trucked because you were being an absolute dumbass."

Ember sucked in a breath, still laughing but managing to settle down. "God, I— I'm actually feeling joy right now. We are NEVER visiting this man." They flopped back onto the couch, still grinning.

Armdeus exhaled, still catching his breath, and grabbed his can of Coca-Cola from the side table. "Yep," he said, taking a long sip. "He can die alone for all I care. He really deserved this one."

They both sat there for a few moments, the occasional chuckle still slipping out, watching as the news anchor transitioned to another story.

Then, Ember reached for the remote again.

"Alright. What else is on?"

Another news story came up from a different channel

SARGE CLOCKMANN HAS WON THE ELECTIONS!

“You gotta be fucking kidding me” Armdeus turned off the channel and went to go to the bar to drink, as the guy whos running a dictatorship just won the Yakis Elections.. AGAIN.
Armdeus got very drunk that night and threw up so much that Ember had alot of cleaning to do. What did he get drunk on? Apple Cider. An Interesting choice might I add.

CHAPTER 9 - Injured Bird

A field of flowers..

Ember sat and observed

A field of flowers..

There’s birds everywhere

A field of flowers..

A flower stands out from the rest

A field of flowers..

One’s wilting.

“I think this one needs water”

Ember grabs a can and starts showering the broken plant.

“I have to go home, but I'll be back.”

Very next day, the flower is back to normal.

“I wish I could do that, just a little bit of water and magic and I'd be okay.”

It's been a few years and several months at this point, it's the middle of august.
They had just broken up with Ozzie after Xavior became the Don, and Fritz became more dangerous as he got promoted to Caporegime.
It was mutual and Ozzie promised to return to them soon.
That promise will surely be broken. All people do with me is lie and hurt me more.
Sometimes, Ember hears Fritz’s voice calling out to them in dreams, but they cannot see him. They don't wish to.

“Should I ever have existed? Maybe he was right.” Ember lays down on a grassy patch in the flower fields.

An injured bird nearby tries to fly but is unable.

“Like me I suppose” Ember reflects on how wounded they are. The scars haven't even healed yet- they won't for years.

“Let me help you”. Ember holds the bird and brings it to the tree. The bird is able to reunite with their mate and kin. They go home.

“What's up, Ember?” Armdeus looks concerned as Ember has the same 100 yard stare they always have.

Ember stays silent.

“Hey, you alright?”

Ember stays silent again.

“Ember, you don't have to say anything, but I haven't heard your voice in years. I worry for you. Does he still haunt you?
Is it your job? I'm not quite sure. All I am sure of, is that i'm here to support you. Its okay to open up sometimes.” Armdeus glances at Ember.

Ember rushes up to their father and hugs them tightly.

“I'm sorry for being silent.” Ember starts crying uncontrollably.

“It's okay, I just hope that in the next coming years, we can stick together and help others who may have experienced the same thing. I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier.” Armdeus, a man who rarely cried at all, started to cry too.

Standing in the middle of the door, Ember pulls out a note.

“We’re going to do a heist in a few months, November 12th” Ember looks at Armdeus with a stern look.

“We’ll be robbing Xavior.. The man who.. You know who he’s associated with”. Ember looks at a photo.

Fritz’s image had been since torn from the picture but you could still understand who was there.

“Very well, I’ll help you and the boys prepare.” Armdeus goes upstairs and grabs a box with supplies. “You’ll need these.”

CHAPTER 10 - Epilogue

Fritz looks down at his feet, as his hands, at his tail.

“How’d they slip through the cracks? Fuck man” Fritz starts wrecking his office.

“Hey- Fritz, just- just calm down please. If I'm going to pass on the lie that you’re dead, you’re going to have to cooperate with me here.” Luke is anxiously tapping his foot, the air stale.

“What do you know about calming down?” Fritz looked at him very angrily.

“Shut up and do your job Luke. or your wife is going to be my wife. Got that? Or would you like a better picture” Fritz’s lisp slipped.

“Dude. You gotta fix how you pronounce the S and Z. We went over everything already” Luke was giggling at this point.

“Oh! Oh! You think this is funny now?” Fritz had the widest grin imaginable. It really looked like he was at his limits.

“Well ha, I'm going to make it funnier.” Fritz pins Luke down and starts beating the everloving shit out of him.

“You like THAT now?” Fritz now starts to shake him uncontrollably

“N-no.. Fine i'll shut up” Luke surrenders to Fritz

“It's all a part of the plan, Luke.” Fritz smiles.

You've reached the end.