Sanctuary II

Syl and Dex were sat by a grate in the sewers, unluckily they had both been assigned guard duty and were making sure that the resistance HQ was not discovered. The HQ was full of chatter about the previous night's broadcast, in which one of the resistance members, Helios, had been executed.

"So, you knew Helios?" Dex said, quietly.

"Yeah..." Syl sighed. "I gave him a hard time, 'cause he was originally from the Empire, we travelled from Demi to Sanctuary with him, and he did a lot of the legwork setting up the systems we're still using today, and protecting them from falling into the hands of any potential enemies" He continued.

"Damn, he sounds like a decent guy..." Dex shook his head.

"I'm not gonna excuse the Araneian Empire for their vast amount of crimes, but, at least they seemed... human?" Syl sighed, as he struggled to find the right word.

"Yeah, I get what you're saying. These guys seem more like a cult than an Empire. The way they hide their faces... gives me the creeps" Dex nodded.

"We just need a way to bring back the sun, then we can strike" Syl said, as he looked at the unnatural white light shining through the grate.

"Hard to believe it's been a year since they arrived" Dex sighed.

"Hard to believe it's been seven years since Lumina began her rampage" Syl added.

"Well, not for me, I missed a few years in the middle" Dex laughed.

"Lucky" Syl said as he nudged Dex.

"I miss Roisin so much" Dex sighed, as he kicked his feet.

"Least you got the next best thing" Syl chuckled.

"Hmm, third best thing, maybe?" Dex smirked.

"How'd you work that one out?" Syl asked, raising his eyebrow.

"You're not the twin" Dex teased.

"Ah! But I grew up with Roisin, so we share a similar personality" Syl retorted.

"Yeah, you got me there" Dex smiled.

"I'm glad I got the chance to meet you after all" Syl said, as he looked down the tunnel.

"Thanks" Dex nodded. "Roisin used to talk about you, a lot, back when we were on the road. She missed you more than anything" He explained.

"Yeah, I gotta say, I felt the same" Syl nodded. "Even when I was under Lumina's control, the thought of Roisin in danger is what kept me going. I won't ever stop until she's safe. It's my duty, as an older brother" Syl smiled.

"I'm glad to be able to call you my brother too" Dex replied.

"Yeah, same to you. Atlas always told me about you, said you had a good head on your shoulders" Syl added.

"Brothers for life?" Dex winked as he put his fist in front of him.

"Brothers for life" Syl nodded as he bumped fists with Dex. The two continued chatting until they heard footsteps coming from the direction of HQ. It was Ashe.

"Ashe? Your shift doesn't start til tonight..." Syl chuckled. Ashe shook her head and frowned.

"They reviewed the footage from the show" Ashe sighed.

"Was it Helios?" Dex asked.

"Sadly, yeah..." Ashe replied, as she bowed her head. "However, that isn't actually the worst of it" She added, ominously.

"Who else did they get?" Syl said, as he braced himself for more bad news.

"To send out a warning..." Ashe began, but found it hard to continue.

"Go on..." Dex said, as he patted Ashe on the back, Ashe smiled at Dex and took a moment to steel herself.

"As a warning... she executed the whole audience..." Ashe sighed. Dex and Syl looked both disgusted and terrified.

"Holy shit..." Syl sighed under his breath.

"They're insane!" Dex grunted. "A Gods forsaken cult!" He added. Ashe nodded.

"Anya will be holding an emergency meeting with the officers later on, we should have more of a strategy after they've finished" Ashe explained.

"How's she taking the news?" Syl frowned.

"Since she was the one who sent Helios on her last mission... not too well" Ashe sighed.

"We'll have to schedule one of our 'Girls Nights'" Dex smiled, faintly.

"Yeah, we'll work something out, try and give her some support" Ashe nodded. "I gotta head back now, but you two stay safe" Ashe smiled.

"You too, Ashe" Dex smiled.

"Take care" Syl nodded, as he watched Ashe walk through the da