Prologue-- (Fifteen years prior)
    There was fire everywhere the small boys eyes could see. His home, his friend's homes, the grocer, the fisherman's home. He saw them screaming, but all he heard was his name being called by his terrified mother. He ran to her side, frightened and confused. He hugged her legs, for that was all he could reach. She picked him up into her arms and ran into their home. 
    She called for his brother to come out. His father was holding up a falling wooden plank with the strongest arms the young boy had ever seen. His brother came out from beneath it, running to their mother's side. She took his hand, and his father dropped the wooden plank behind him and joined his wifes side. He took the small boy from her arms, and told them to run. 
    They ran from the village on fire, straw and wood hut homes soon nothing but memories that would be etched in the small boys mind for as long as he lived. The small boy looked to the usually calming sky, only to have his eyes burned by the intensity of the sun. He blinked, frowning. They ran until the village was no longer in sight, until the sun was hidden from their view by the darkness of night. 
    No tears fell from the young boys eye's, because his father had raised him to be a strong man. Men did not cry. His father did not cry, but continued to find a way to live. He killed a lion that night, with nothing but his bare hands. They ate it the next morning, for they hadn't had the time to bring food with them when their village was razed. All they had were the biege clothing on their backs and legs, which had done little for the cold of the night.
    They walked for days upon days, not daring to walk along main roads for fear of bandits or whoever had set fire to their home. The young boy knew not if his father had the vaguest idea of where they were to go, but he trusted him all the same, for his father was the strongest man he had ever known. His wife and children would follow him to the edge of the world if it came to it. But he would not allow his family to suffer more than they already had. 
    The young boy knew not, to hide the burning mark on his shoulder, but his mother made it a point to cover it with his little sleeves when they could see a city come into the horizon. Tall and made of white stone, this is where the young boy and his family would now live...
    Albatross, The City of Angels

Fifteen Years Later
    "For the last time, Icarus!" Rummy shouted, furiously. "You can't keep skipping classes, or someone is going to end up telling Father."
    "But classes are dull, Brother," Icarus drawled, rolling his eyes. "I would much rather join you and Father every day then be stuck in a room full of people who detest me and a man who thinks of me as little more than a boy."
    "You are little more than a boy, Icarus. You cannot even hope to call yourself a man until you learn to bear responsibility on those slender shoulder's of yours," Rummy responded, sternly. His dark green eyes were serious as he spoke to his younger brother, his lips pursed in annoyance. "Icarus, our father will never allow you to join the army if you continue to act like an irresponsible toddler."
    "Then perhaps I shall never join you," Icarus said, with a small shrug and a light laugh. "A life lived only by being told what I should do is not a life I wish to live. I would rather die than have another man control my life, father or not."
    "I'm sure he would be estatic to hear that, because he might kill you himself." Rumatino said, standing up from the chair he was sitting in. He moved over to the window sill to watch the people go about their lives."Shall I tell him, or will you?"
    "Father does not scare me," Icarus said, stubbornly crossing his arms. "He won't even be back for a month. Why should I fear someone who isn't even present to punish me?"
    "With Father not here, I am acting man of the house," Rummy said,  turning to frown at his younger brother. "And you cannot escape punishment just because Father isn't here."
    "Acting should be reserved for plays, brother," Icarus said, leaning his back against his bed. "Your empty threat neither scare me, nor provide me with an ample source of entertainment. If you would excuse me, Hem and I had an exciting day planned ahead of us before you interuptted." 
    "Hem?" Rummy asked, sighing angrily. "I understand I can do very little to stop you from being as irresponsible as you are, but must you drag our little brother down with you?"
    "I happen to see his time spent with me as more enlightenment than he will ever see inside of a crudely written book, by a man who hasn't seen natural day light in four years." Icarus said, pushing himself up and off his bed. "Experience is the best teacher, brother. Now, I must go retrieve the young man from his hiding spot, else you want me to let him stay there until he begins to rot."
    Icarus didn't wait for an answer, as he swiftly walked up to the window next to his older brother. He gave his brother a playful wink and grabbed the top of the window, hoisting himself up onto the roof with ease. 
    "All that stupid brother of mine has is brawn," Rummy muttered to himself, returning to the kitchen with his mother.
    The clay bricks of the roof clanged lightly as Icarus' leather sandaled feet walked across them. He walked swiftly, making sure to keep his balance, lest he fall down to an early grave. He reached and grabbed a higher roof and pulled himself up, effortlessly. He looked over the roof, non-chalantly watching as people walked by, going about their business. He snickered, pitying those stuck in a monotone and bland lifestyle doing what they beleived they had to do and not what they wished to. He looked towards the blue sky, the sun nearly blinding him with it's light. He blinked at it, a small black circle burning into his eyes as he looked away. 
    "A lion's den is little more than a fragile pen, aye brother?!" Icarus shouted out, as he reached Hem's hiding spot. His younger brother's head peaked out from a chimney, with a grin, beckoned by the secret call.
    "Icarus!" Hem shouted, lifting himself out of the chimney and jogging over to his brother's side. His usually white clothing was covered in black soot. 
    "Mother's going to yell at you for getting your clothes so dirty," Icarus sniggered. "I think we'll go wash off before we have an adventure today."
    "Every moment we spend doing that, we take away from the fun!" Hem complained, his shoulders sagging in disappointment.
    "I gaurentee you, a mother's wrath can take away from ten days of fun, Hem," Icarus said, walking towards the edge of the roof. "C'mon now. The rivers only a few minutes away, and there's plenty adventure to be had on the way. No reason to get your spirits down. What's a couple minutes in the face of several hours?"
    Icarus jumped down from the top of the two story building, giving with his knees as he landed with unhuman ease. Hem grabbed the edge of the room, placed a foot against the wall and pushed off. He grabbed the adjacent building's window sill and then did the same action to reach the ground floor window. He let go, falling a mere inch, before dusting himself off. 
    "I swear Icarus, sometimes I wonder if you have a single human bone in your body," Hem said, in awe. The two brothers began walking towards the city's river, dodging crates and people. "You'd think a person who fell from would just go 'splat', but it's like you barely even fell a foot."
    "My body has to be strong, Hem," Icarus said, grinning widely at his brother. "One day I'm going to grab onto the Sun with my hands, and when that happens I'll need to fall from the sky itself."
    "Everyone knows you can't grab the Sun," Hem said, making a face at his older brother. "It'd burn your skin off. That's what my teacher said."
    "Has your teacher ever reached the Sun?" Icarus asked, handing folded by his head as he walked. 
    "Well, no, I suppose not," Hem started, frowning.
    "People can only learn from experience, Hem, which is exactly why you aren't attending classes today." Icarus said, matter-of-factly. "One day you shall have the ability to hold the whole world, in it's complete entirety, in the tiny palm of your hand. But you wont have the slightest clue what to do with it if you stayed trapped inside some flawed education system the King requires us to partake in. Just because we're our Father's children doesn't mean we'll grow up to be like him."
    "I shall be a greater man than even our Father," Hem said, proudly. "You shall hold the Sun and I shall hold the Earth."
    "Men shall sing of our accomplishments for generations to come, little brother," Icarus said, confidently. "But I doubt they'd enjoy a tale of a little boy covered in dirt, so we need to get you cleaned off first."
    "I'm sure they'll care little of my appearance when they sing of my bravery, wit, charming good looks, and superior ability," Hem said, sticking his chest out.
    "And modesty," Icarus teased. "A young boy is a young boy, still. A man is only one when he learns to grow up."
    "Oh, and what do you know about 'growing up', Icarus," Hem responded, with a sly smirk. "From what brother says, many believe you to be a boy still. You've only two years over me, I'll have caught up to you in less than that."
    "And when you do, I shall be waiting with the feast of a god, and a map," Icarus chuckled. "Because if your definition of a man is what our dearest elder brother tells you, than I have lost you for sure. A man is not his accomplishments, but his individuality. An unhappy man is no more a man than a young boy who indiscriminately listens to every order his father gives him. A man is someone who takes his life into his own hands, and builds his legacy from the ground up. I'll not carry the wieght of Father's name for as long as I live, my offspring will sing for me."
    "And how, exactly, do you plan to achieve that?" Hem asked, following after his brother's long strides. They had reached the river. They walked along the top of the cliff that led down to the river, well over two hundred yards below. 
    "How?" Icarus said, stopping his walk. A grin spread across his playful face, along with his arms. He felt the wind blow past his skin, the warmth of the sun comforting him as it had since he was a baby. "I know not yet."
    "You... don't know?" Hem asked, confused. Icarus leaned back on his heels, and with a look of confidence at his brother, he fell backwards to the water below. He twisted his body so that he was headfirst, and raised his arms above his head. He placed his palms together and straightened out his legs, forming as thin a line with body as he could manage. He heard his brother shout his name in panic, right before his head plunged under the water. 
    The cool blue water washed over his body as he fell further into the depths of the river, before his eyes widened with surprise. The bottom of the river was much closer than he had guessed, and in a moment, his head slammed into the rocks beneath him. He gasped, water entering his mouth. He quickly regained his wits, turning himself towards the surface and using his strong arms to bring him back to air. The light reflected off the top of the water, serving as a guide as Icarus pumped his arms. He heard his brothers shout from the other side of the watery wall.
    He took a large breath of air as he head escaped, shaking his head. He winced from the pain, reaching a hand up to the top of his head. With his hand in front of his face, he realized that he was bleeding. He sighed as he tread water, watching as his brother ran down the cliff and to the bank of the river. He swam over to the wet dirt, planting his feet as soon as he could stand.
    "Icarus!" Hem shouted, fear clear in his eyes. "Your head! What the hell were you thinking, Icarus?!"
    "I'd like to know the same thing," A feminine voice said, clearly displeased. Icarus walked out of the water, drenched, looking to his left to find a young woman standing in a white dress, frowning at him.
    "Selene!" Icarus called, happily. "How are you? I've not seen you for at least a day now, I worried that you would miss my clever jokes and handsome face."
    "And your foolhardy, reckless actions, along with your inability to face responsibility," Selene said, sternly. 
    "Your words wound me," Icarus said, placing a hand over his heart. "I cannot feel the injury to my head because of how much pain you cause my heart, dearest Selene."
    "Will you just come over here so I can dress your head?" Selene said, sighing heavily. She reached into the small pack wrapped around his shoulder and waist, pulling out a long white bandage. "I said, come here."
    "Yes ma'am," Icarus said, obediently walking over to his long time friend's side. She unravled the bandage and began to wrap it around his head, tightly. "Aye, you'll cut off circulation to my brain, sister-in-law."
    "It's not like you use it," Selene replied, rolling her eyes. 
    "Must you be so harsh, Selene?" Icarus pouted. "Am I not your brother?"
    "You are the younger brother of my husband, Icarus," Selene said, shaking her head with a small hidden smile. "I am hard on you because you are family. And because I wish you would stop being such a bad influence on my little Daniel."
    "But Daniel loves me!" Icarus argued. "How could you keep such affection apart?"
    "You brought my son to a brothel for his third birthday," Selene said, disapprovingly. 
    "And he had the time of his life! They prepared him a feast meant for Gods!" Icarus said, with a smile. "They even made him a cake. And whores never do that."
    "Nor should they, not with those filthy hands of theirs." Selene said, shuddering. "I have nightmares about it, Icarus."
    "Just wait until his fourth birthday," Icarus said, playfully. 
    "Daniel will be spending his fourth birthday with his father and grandparents," Selene said, frowning. "Not with whatever trash you manage to dig up. I'm surprised to find you here instead of the Shadow district, but I'm relieved that you haven't taken your little brother there. How are you, Hem?"
    "I'm good, thank you, Sister-in-law." Hem said, politely. "How are you? Should you be walking around, so far from home?"
    "I am pregnant, Hem, not disabled." Selene said, laughing lightly. "Although, don't tell your brother I managed to find myself all the way down here. He'd likely havea  fit."
    "What are you even doing here, Selene?" Icarus asked, curiously. He raised a hand to scratch at the bandages, only to get slapped away by Selene's slim hand.
    "For the love of the Gods, please don't undo my work right away. At least wait until I walk away." Selene growled. "I'm here looking for some watercress. I need them for a medicine a client of mine requires."
    "Well, a heavily pregnant woman shouldn't have to do labor herself," Icarus said, turning to his brother. "Hem, you don't mind putting our plans for just a little while, do you?"
    "Of course not," Hem said, with a polite smile only a young boy would pull off. "I'd like to keep my niece or nephew as healthy as possible."
    "What a noble young man you are," Selene said, smiling as she pet the young boys head. "You'll make a little girl very happy some day, I bet."
    "Bah!" Hem wrinkled his nose in disgust. "No offense, Selene, but girl's are just... too icky and high maintence."
    "And what if the baby inside me is a girl?" Selene asked, with a raised eyebrow.
    "Then she shall be the most pampered young princess that has ever graced with the world with her beautiful prescence," Hem said, tilting his head to the side, only slightly. 
    "Good answer," Selene said, with a smile. "It's a relief to have such a reliable uncle to birth my child to."
    "And reliable we are," Icarus said, holding a small bundle of wet green plants in his hands. "Watercress, for my beloved sister-in-law."
    "Thank you, Icarus," Selene said, taking the plant from him and putt ing it into her pack. Hem quickly ran into the water and wadded around, looking for the plant. He quickly yanked out the first one he saw and presented it to Selene with a smile. "And thank you, Hem. What good brother-in-laws you two are."
    "I do believe that plant is poisonous, Selene," Icarus pointed out, with a snicker. "Did you plan to take it and not tell the boy?"
    "Is that not the same plant?" Hem asked, furrowing his bushy eyebrows together.
    "It's a chameleon plant," Selene explained, kindly. "It's disguised as another plant, for some reason unknown to us. Perhaps it wants to poison someone, but it still has a few medicinal properties to it."
    "So I was of use?" Hem asked, perking back up.
    "Of course, young brother," Selene said, patting the young boy on the head with a laugh. "And now I must head back home, before your brother discovers that I have left the security of our home. Speaking of which, do you have time to be wandering around today, Icarus?"
    "What do you mean?" Icarus asked. "I've all the time in the world."
    "Is today not your eighteenth birthday?" Selene asked. "Will you not be choosing a bride again?"
    "I've not interest in a bride yet," Icarus scoffed. "My father simply wishes to keep me chained to this city for the rest of my life. I know there are greater things waiting further than a nights away from these white walls. I cannot be quelled by simple camp trips outside the walls, that only last for a day."
    "Is it so wrong for your father to wish to keep you in the security of the capital?" Selene asked.
    "I will not become a man, rotting away in some gigantic pen, no matter how safe." Icarus said. "Now, if you will excuse us, honored sister-in-law, Hem and I have exciting plans for today. It is my eighteenth birthday, after all."
    "Please don't get into too much trouble," Selene called after them, as the two brothers began to jog towards their next adventure. "You'll worry your brother." 
    The two young brothers ran along the edge of the city, hugging the tall white walls that surronded their home. Their home was built on a mountain, meaning that there were several steep walkways, and that some home's were as close to the heavens as it got. But none were as high as the throne home of the King and his family. The throne home had been there for as long as the Earth had spun, possibly even before. None were allowed to enter, unless invited, and those that did were often punished with death. Or worse. 
    Icarus and his brother were currently moving in the complete opposite direction, but the elder brother couldn't help but steal a glance from over his shoulder. He was expected to be inside that huge building later today, to pick a respectable bride before he was too old. The son of the honorable general could no longer put off settling down and starting a family; the eldest son had already married when he was but three years younger than Icarus, and already had a son. It was a shame to see a family legacy stop short because of one bad seed. Soon the youngest son would be expected to find a girl soon, but he had no interest either. 
    Icarus wasn't worried about his predictament, given his father wasn't expected to be home for another thirty-five days. He was in the middle of Kollaci, training young men to fight in the King's army, far away from Icarus and his trouble making. 
    Icarus and Hem navigated through the narrow streets of their city, exchanging quick 'hellos' with those that recongized them. The two boys were quick and agile, maneuvering through men carrying crates and women holding jugs, children playing along their ankles and adults holding objects high above their heads. It was a game for the two of them. They laughed as they skillfully weaved their way through the everyday business of their home, often taunting and teasing each other.
    "I think you must be getting slower, Icarus!" Hem called out.
    "I think you must only have dumb speed as your weapon, little brother!" Icarus responded.
    It was only when they reached the front door of the city wall did their antics come to an end, breathing heavily with wide smiles on their faces. 
    "Good morning, sirs," Icarus greeted the four wall gaurds, with a small bow.
    "Skipping school again, Icarus?" The tallest one said, nodding his head and smiling back at the younger boy.
    "What else would I do on such a lovely day?" Icarus said, cheerfully. "A lovely day should be spent with the grass beneath my feet, and nothing obstructing my view of the beautiful blue sky."
    "We can't let you out today," The shortest gaurd said, sternly. "Rummy'd have our heads."
    "My brother isn't charge of me," Icarus said, frowning. "Hem and I have plans to spend the day, and none of them include being stuck inside this gloomy city."
    "Your brother's still in charge of us," The shortest gaurd said. "And I'm quite keen on keeping both of my big toes."
    "Coward," Icarus scoffed, teasingly. "It's my birthday, gentleman, can I not spend it leisurely?"
    "Are you not expected at the castle before midday, Icarus?" The youngest gaurd, Leonardo, asked. He happened to be Icarus' close friends, a school mate before he joined the King's gaurds. "You can't continue skipping, you know, or else you'll end up making the King angry."
    "I am my own king, Leo," Icarus said, holding his hands out, gesturing to himself. "I don't need an old man telling me what to do, just because it's 'proper' or whatever excuse he uses to maintain control of his puppets."
    "Ah, Icarus-" The tallest gaurd said, looking behind Icarus, surprised. 
    "I shall be a man of my own action, not controlled by the orders of a man who claimed leadership through birthright." Icarus continued, pacing slowly in front of the gaurds. "Just because he is a friend of my father's doesn't mean that I have to listen to what he says. I don't have any extended obligation to follow my father's every word, do I?"
    "I'd like to know the answer to that question as well, Icarus," A low, authoritative voice said, standing behind Icarus. 
    "Shit," Icarus cursed under his breath, turning to see his father staring at him with a raised eyebrow. He smiled nervously at him, leaning away from him. "Father! I thought you weren't supposed to be back for another month! What brings you back so soon?"
    "My irresponsible son," His father said, with a raised eyebrow. He caught sight of Hem standing next to his elder brother. "Sons. I doubted you would do what you were told if I weren't here."
    "See Father, the thing is tha-" Icarus started. 
    "I don't want to hear any excuses, Icarus," His father said, sternly. "Why aren't you at your lessons today?"
    "Because they're incredibly dull, Father," Icarus said, his shoulders sinking as he readied himself for an inevitable scolding. "There are only so many ways an old man can teach the importance of war and family, which, in my opinion, aren't even the most important aspects of life."
    "I see..." His father hummed, his beard hiding whatever emotion his face might betray. "And why is your brother here?"
    "Because his lessons bore him as well, and he could learn so much more from experiencing the world around him, Father," Icarus explained, stealing a sideway glance at his younger brother. Hem stood next to his brother, head lowered to look at his toes. "School does not teach a boy how to sharpen a sword or how to build a hut out of sticks and straw. How will he provide for a family if he hasn't even learned to hunt a boar?"
    "There are important lessons to learn in school," His father said, sternly. "I would have taught him how to fend for himself when the time came."
    "Forgive me, Father, but you are very rarely around to teach Hem anything," Icarus said, looking at his fingers. "And, well, I had both you and Rummy to teach me when I was a boy, but all Hem's got is me. You're never home, and Rummy's usually busy doing the job you left here. When would he have time to learn, before he was supposed to be a man?"
    "I admit that I'm not here as much as I should," His father said slowly. "But it is not your responsibilty to take a father's job. Your responsibilty, right now, is to assume a fatherly role and start your own family. I can take care of mine just fine."
    "Icarus is the only one that is ever around for me, Father!" Hem shouted, frustrated. His hands were clenched in fists, his young face puffed out in anger. "Whenever I ask you or Rummy to spend time with me, to teach my anything, you say no! Icarus always makes time for me, unlike you!"
    "You will not speak to me that way," His father said, sternly, his loud voice rumbling through Icarus' chest. 
    "You can't tell me what I can and can't do, because I don't even know you!" Hem shouted, before sprinting off. His father stood there, baffled at his youngest sons behavior.
    "Is this your bad influence?" He said, turning to his second son angrily. "What have you been telling your brother?"    
    "Father, this is hardly my fault," Icarus said, honestly. "Hem's grown up with stories of how much you did for Rummy and I, but you've not done even half those things with Hem. I imagine it's hard for him, feeling as thought you're loved less than your other brothers."
    "That's ridiculous," His father sighed. "I've loved all of you boys exactly the same, I cannot help the fact that the King sends me away constantly."
    "Just tell him you'd like to take a little bit of time off," Icarus suggested. "I know it's not my place, but you'll likely lose your youngest son if you continue to neglect him as you have."
    "I've not neglected him," His father said back.
    "You've left the young boy without a father to look towards when he's in trouble," Icarus said, seriously. "Just a mischevious, irresponsible older brother."
    "Then that makes me irresponsible as a father," His father sighed, heavily. He put a hand on his forehead and shook his head. "I'll go find him."
    "Father, you wouldn't even know where to begin looking," Icarus snickered. "Allow me."
    "And then you shall return home," His father said, sternly.
    "I," Icarus started, before recieving a glare from the older man. "Yes father."
    "Good."
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

    Icarus sat in his seat, dressed in white, a leg propped over his knee and a chin heavy in his plam. His eyes were almost as angry as the deep set frown on his face. His younger brother sat next to him, practically a young mirror image of the boy. His older brother sat on the other side of him, brightly smiling as though he had won a war, his young son in his lap. His father and mother sat behind them, a platform above them, right below the King. 
    Icarus' father had decided to make it a family event, although they left the heavily pregnant Selene at home to rest. His mother had been exciting to dress Icarus and Hem up, an opprotunity she rarely had with her younger two sons. Icarus sat in his own seat, picking at the black collar of his cape, covering a regular white dress shirt, lined with silver. 
    "I'm glad you've finally decided to join us, Icarus!" King Darius said, cheerfully. He clapped his hands together, standing above them all, beckoning for a man to leave. "Please, go get our eligble bachelorettes. I do hope you'll find someone suited to your taste."
    "I'll only marry a girl as beautiful as the sun itself, with a passion for life," Icarus replied, gruffly.     
    "Forgive my son," Icarus' father said, shooting Icarus an angry look. "You can only imagine how difficult it was to drag him here."
    "You are like my nephew, Icarus," The King said, laughing. "If we cannot somehow manage to find you a beautiful girl, then I can no longer call myself King."
    "Forgive me, I never wished to see you dethroned," Icarus said, half-amused. "You're last day as ruler will be spent in the company of women, however."
    "It's been a long time since I've found a woman that can catch my eye as much as my dearest wife," The King continued to laugh, the sound bouncing off the stone walls and through the columns showing the outside walkway. "I'm sure we can find you someone to quell the young beast in you.
    "Shall we make a bet?" Icarus teased, just before the throne room doors opened. The man from before came back, followed by a group of twenty girls. 
    "Will you pick by looks, or would you like to hear them speak about themselves?" The King asked. Icarus scanned the group of girls, all attractive in their own way, but not extraordinary. 
    Icarus lazily studied the faces of each of them, all eager to please and possibly marry the son of Croggon Philbrick. Icarus sighed heavily before saying, "Let them speak, I suppose."
    "Well then!" The King said, with two loud claps. "Let's start with... Nayama."
    Icarus pretended to listen to the girls, trying to think of a way to send them all off without infuriating his father as he did so. He nodded every once and a while, and a funny thought made him chuckle at some point, causing the poor young girl currently speaking to blush and stutter. He tried to keep his eyes focues on the girl that was speaking, but his eyes would drift every so often, to the decorations on the walls or the intricate designs on the floor. 
    His eyes were on the columns when he saw a flash of sun light. He blinked, confused, before realizing that he had seen the reflection of the sun off of silk blonde hair. It was as if the sun itself had been woven into thin, thin strings and put ontop of a head, gracing those bound to Earth with it's warmth.
    "Her," Icarus said, standing up and pointing to the source of the hair. The current girl speaking squeaked and looked down at the floor, disappointed. The girl with blonde hair paid no attention, leaning over the balcony of the walk way and looking over the town. "I want her."
    "...Who?" The King asked, looking in the direction Icarus was pointing in. He laughed as he looked at the young girl, thoroughly amused. She was young, probably around Icarus' age. Her long blonde hair floated to the middle of her back, waving as though the sun had become the sea. She was in a simple white dress, the legs beneath her knees exposed to the world, tanned from the sky's light. "You are certaintly the interesting young man."
    "Icarus," Rummy grumbled at his brother, shaking his head. "Your idiociy never ceases to amaze me."
    "Aria, come here!" The King called. The girl's head perked up, looking into the room with befuddlement. 
    "What is it, Father?" She asked, walking into the room. "Who are all these girls?"
    "You remember Croggon, his wife, Aelinore, and his oldest son Rumatino." The King said.
    "'The Bull', right?" Aria asked, with a smirk. "Your name does you no justice. You are an intimdating man. Your wife must feel extremely safe under you."
    "A man can only hope," Rummy chuckled. 
    "And these are his two younger sons, Icarus and Hem." The King, gesturing towards the two brothers. 
    "Good afternoon," Aria said, bowing her head slightly, showing the small gold crown resting upon her equally as golden hair. She lifted her head, a small smirk aimed at Icarus. "If I remember correctly, I've heard stories about you, Icarus. All interesting. Not all good, however. What brings you to my home?"
    "This is my daughter, Princess Aria Eurotas, of Kollaci." The King said, with a smile. "And she has a suitor party later today. The current date happens to be her eighteenth birthday as well."
    "Ah, I see where this is going," Aria said, smiling with amusement. "Will I be seeing you there, Icarus?"
    "You shall," Icarus said, definitively. 
    "My mother had a nice young prince picked out for me, actually," Aria said, her blue eyes dancing with enthusiasm. "He was quite the looker, I believe he intended to have my hand tonight."
    "Then I shall kill him with my own hands," Icarus responded, quickly. "And throw him to the body of the ocean."
    "Icarus!" Rummy scolded, harshly.
    "Don't tease the young man so much, Aria," The King admonished lightly. "She is having this party precisely because she refuses to pick a husband. But seeing as how you've exchanged more than two words without her snapping at you, I'd say you'd have a pretty good chance at winning her over, Icarus."
    "Father!" Aria squealed lightly, shocked and somewhat mortified.
    "She hopes to see you there, Icarus," The King said, grinning.
    "Hope is not needed," Icarus said, staring at the young girl. She smiled, and he felt his own appear on his face. "I shall be there."
    "I'll await your prescence... eagerly," She said, with a sly grin. She gave a small nod to her father with a, 'I'll take my leave now', and walked out of the room.
    "Her hair is like that of the sun," Icarus said, starstruck. "And her eyes are as blue as the sky."
    "You're the first boy to praise her as such," The King said, satisfied with his answer. "I'd enjoy leaving her in your hands, should the Gods be in our favor."
    "But, My King, he's not of any royal blood," Croggon started, alarmed by the events happening in front of him. "I am a simple general and he even less so."
    "It is of little consequence, my friend," The King said, confidently. "She is nowhere close to the throne. She's my fourth daughter, my tenth child. Marrying even a commoner would have no real effect, and there is no shame in marrying the son of the strongest general our army has."
    "But still, my son-" Croggon said. 
    "Is a wonderful young man, from the rumors I hear," The King said, sharply. "You're son has been a tremendous help to the people of the capital, chasing down thieves and helping old vendors carry their crates. He plays with the young one's when no one else will, and inspires a sense of adventure in them like a traditional man could never do. You're son is a great man, and I would be more than honored if he were to join the royal family."
    "Whoa, whoa, I think it's a bit soon for that, don't you think sir?" Icarus said, quickly. "I've barely even met the girl, she might not even like me."
    "I may not be able to spend long amounts of time with my children, Icarus, but I still know them like the back side of my hand," The King said confidently. "Have some confidence, young man."
    "Ah, well, the girls down at the brot-" Icarus started, laughing carefreely, before Rummy smacked him in the back of his head. 
    "The girls around town have always thought Icarus had a certain amount of charm," Rummy said, smiling through gritted teeth. "Though why has always escaped me." 
    "He's not a bad looking young man," The King complimented, laughing. "You should be proud, Aelinore. He was blessed with your good looks, but your husbands strength."
    "My son could prove to be a true man among men," Croggon said, proudly. "If he'd ever decide to begin behaving like a man. This is a step in the right direction, though! A good lady to settle down with is good for the boy."
    "I'll not settle down with a girl," Icarus said, frowning. "I said before, a girl needs to have some sort of sense of adventure. I don't need a girl who spends all day at home, waiting for her husband and sons to come home so she can serve them."
    "That's awfully feminist of you, brother," Hem snickered from his brothers side. 
    "What's that?" Icarus said, shooting a look at his younger brother. He reached down and grabbed him around the neck, roughly, with one arm and used the other hand to grind his knuckle into his younger brothers head. "What use to me is a girl who stays at home, when I've no intention of making one place my home? I want a girl who wants to see the world, who wants to travel as far as the Sun and back, just like me. Ambition is a man's greatest friend."
    "I like your way of thinking," The King said, with a bright smile. "I almost wish Aria was the eldest. You'd make a beloved King, Icarus. Now, I suggest you go home and let your lovely mother here do some primping, because my daughter's party begins in just a few hours. Come back to the throne home just before sundown."
    "Yes, my King," Icarus said.
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    Icarus stood in the room, alone, waiting along with several other young men for the Princess to make an appearance, and a few choice women to entertain the young men while they waited for a chance to woo the Princess. He spent his time next to the wine, sipping away the night and staining his teeth red in the process. The other men mingled with each other, but Icarus had no desire to discuss politics or money with simpleton elitists who had no clue what the real world was even like. 
    He looked at the balcony, watching the Sun set past the horizon. This time of day always saddened the young man, his eyes lidded as he tilted his head towards the sun. His treasured source of the light disappeared behind the Earth and the world was covered in a dark black blanket, hiding more secrets than any one person could ever know. Artificial light would never suffice, because it was just that. A fake replacement that could never amount to the enormous importance of the real being.
    "Dark and brooding as well as energetic and playful?" A warm voice said from behind Icarus. He turned his head, his lips immediately curling into a smile. "It seems my hand maidens weren't as well informed as they believed themselves to be."
    "No blame should be put on the poor girls, how could they ever see such a side to me when I never am?" He responded, calmly. "Even your servants can't see a man in the dark of night. But mystery is one of the greatest spices of life, is it not? Wouldn't it be boring if you knew everything about me?"
    "What else would I need to know, besides your charming words and equally as so eyes?" Aria asked, raising a bright eyebrow. Icarus licked his lips, entranced.
    "What would you like to know?" Icarus asked, lowly. He stared into her sky blue eyes, his own dark brown ones reflecting against them. He smiled. "Would you care to find out how incredible my dance instructor was?"
    "What a round-about way of asking for a dance," Aria said, chuckling lightly. "But I accept your invitation."
    "I forgot to warn you that I haven't gone to my lessons in three years, so this should be an adventure all in it's own." Icarus said, with a smile. He lay his hand out, offering it to her. She took it, faster than she thought was appropriate, knowing that she was giving the young man the hope he so eagerly wanted. The hope she was supposed to give none of these men. She was supposed to be indiscriminate, to play favorites was something her mother had advised against harshly. "Shall we?"
    "We shall," She said, completely charmed by the young man she had exchanged barely three words with. He led her out, his hand lightly grasping hers as though she was his personal ladder to heaven, and to let go meant to fall back onto the cruel Earth.
    Icarus guided the young girl out to the stone floor with graceful ease. She smiled up at the taller person, his hands strong and steady, leading her. His steps were sure and sturdy, like an experienced dancers. 
    "I thought you hadn't been to your lessons," Aria said, feeling easy as she let him lead her.
    "Well... that doesn't mean I haven't been dancing in the last three years," Icarus said, with a sly grin. "How could I stay popular if I got rusty?"
    "A young man who knows his worth is easy to find," Aria said, tilting her head as she looked at the slightly older boy. 
    "A young man worth as much as I is less often found," Icarus said, with a raised eyebrow and a grin. "At least, so says a smooth talker. You can never really trust what we say, though. It's usually for our own benefit."
    "And how would you benefit from sharing your worth with me?" Aria asked, her golden hair falling over her shoulder, like a wave of sunlight. 
    "We'll have to leave that to be determined, wont we?" Icarus said, with a small chuckle.
    "Seems so," Aria said, mirroring his light laughter. 
    They continued to dance for what seemed like hours to bystanders but felt like seconds to the pair. They chatted and joked for a long while, the two enjoying each others company, before the King and Queen walked in. The King found his daughter and Icarus almost immediately, a small smile on his face as he saw them. A few agitated young men walked up to the King, confused as to why they would be invited if the Princess wouldn't even glance at them. 
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
    "My King, how can you simply close the gates?" Icarus shouted, appalled. "My family is still out there! Your peoples family's are still out there!"
    "Your father is an able man, Icarus, he wont let your family down." The King said, calmly sitting in his throne. Another loud boom came from outside, in the city, echoing through Icarus' body.
    "Your damn right he wont," Icarus cursed, backing away from the throne room. "And I sure as hell wont either."
    "Icarus," Aria said, worried. She grasped Icarus' forearm as he attempted to leave the room, her eyes telling him not to leave.
    "I cannot stay here and allow my family to be slaughtered." Icarus said, definitively. "I'm sorry, Aria. But I cannot call myself a man if I stay here, safe, while my family is left out there to die."
    "Let him go, daughter," The King said, sternly. "If he returns, then you'll know you've chosen well. And if he doesn't... then you will pick another."
    "I shall not," Aria snapped at her father. 
    "I shall return," Icarus said, taking her hand. "Until then... wait for me. Try not to forget my face while I am away."
    "I will not," Aria said, resolutely. "Return, Icarus."
    "I will... your highness." Icarus said, with a small smile. He then turned, racing towards the balcony he had originally seen the young girl leaning over. 
    "...Icarus, what are yo-" Aria started, as Icarus leaped over the edge, plummetting several stories down. "ICARUS!"
    He winced only slightly as his feet hit the ground, his knees giving into his weight. Two small indents were imprinted on the quartz floor, just in front of the throne homes stairs. Destruction was obvious, smoke climbing to the sky and fire licking away the lives of many. Screams of terror and fear, feet pounding against the sand roads of the city. 
    Icarus' first thought was to run towards his home, where his father would surely be fighting to save his family. Icarus was dressed in only colored cloth, but he feared nothing except the safety of his family. He had no weapon in his hand, just his bare fists, but bravery pumped through his veins alongside a rush of adreneline. 
    "FATHER!" He shouted as his home came into view. "MOTHER! RUMMY! HEM! SELENE! DANIEL! Answer me, dammit!"
    "Icarus!" Icarus heard his younger brother call to him. A large man walked to the front door of their house, dressed in steel armour. His skin was red, like brick, with a single horn sticking from the right side of his head. He carried with him a large, misshapen wooden club, the weapon dragged along the sand as he approached the Philbrick home. "Icarus!" 
    "Hem!" Icarus shouted, quickly running up to the huge being. The large man turned around, slowly, his face beaten in and bloodied. The large man frowned, raising his club as Icarus approached. He swung the club towards the young man. Icarus ducked, the club barely touching his hair. He charged forward, grabbing the humanoid being by the waist and pushing him backwards. His back slammed into the wall, staggering from the force of the smaller man.
    "You'll not touch my family, whoreson!" Icarus growled, grabbing the beast by his collar and flinging him to the ground. He brought himself with him, straddling the beasts chest. He brought his fists down to the beasts face, pounding away at the stone solid skin like it was paper. The beast brought a large meaty hand up to Icarus' shoulder, grabbing him and tossing him at the stone wall of his home. He went flying through the wall, into the main room of his home. His father and older brother were standing at the door, sword and shield ready. They looked at Icarus, surprised, but not startled. 
    "Ica-" His father started. The beast charged through the small hole in the wall, roaring angrily. His father moved quickly, charging his shoulder into the beast. Rummy moved to extend a helping hand to his younger brother, as their father drove his sword into the chest of the beast. With ease, he forced the sword down, in and through his heart, like a hot knife through butter. The beast roared, still alive, and attempted to right himself. He kicked Icarus' fathers feet out from beneath him. Icarus moved quickly, as the beast got up and tried to grab his father. He grabbed the beasts neck and headbutted him. His ears rang and he blinked, the beasts head more solid than he had anticipated. 
    The beast staggered backwards, his head bleeding just like his chest. Icarus thrust an elbow forward, the beasts face moving to the side with the force. Icarus grasped the golden hilt of his fathers sword, inches deep in hard flesh. He roared as he forced the sword upwards, rising towards the beasts throat and up through his neck. The beast gurgled, attempting to grab Icarus as he tried to get the sword through the beasts head. Rumatino appeared by his brothers side, swinging his own sword with a godly amount of force, decapitating the beast. It was finally still, it's body dropping to the ground with a heavy thump.
    "Father, are you alright?" Icarus said, quickly, extending a hand towards his father. "I came as quickly as I could."
    "How foolhardy could you be to leave the safety of the throne home?" His father said, sighing heavily. "But I cannot hide my happiness to see you, Son."
    "I couldn't stay, Father, knowing that my family could be in danger." Icarus said, smiling at the old man. 
    "And now you've worried your future wife," Rumatino said, shaking his head, laughing. "You better return to her in one piece, or you'll soon learn to fear the infinite rage of woman."
    "Trust me, Brother, I've long ago learned that with mother and your own wife," Icarus chuckled. "I'll not soon forget it."
    The lightheartedness of the brothers was soon interupted by a large booming sound from outside. The mood turned serious once again, as Icarus' face fell. 
    "Father, his majesty will surely allow us back into the throne home." Icarus said quickly. "Hem is quick, allow him to carry Daniel. We can protect out women together, Father, Brother, but we must move quickly."
    "You and Rumatino are adequet enough to bring our family to safety," His father said, sternly. "But there are other familys here that need protection, Son. And I could never keep my pride if I ran with my tag in between my legs, like a dog."
    "Fath-" Icarus started. 
    "If you respect me as a man, son, then you'll let me do what needs to be done," His father said, his eyes stern. "I've taught you both to fight since you came from your moms womb. You better not let a damn hair on any one of their heads even be so much as disturbed."
    "Yes, Father," Icarus said, with a bow. "Brother, if you would allowme but a moment to get my things."
    "Quickly, Icarus, lest you wish the Titans to be upon our home like flies to rotten food." Rummy said, with a small nod. He stood on the wall next to the hole, his sword in his hand, his eyes steady. The sound of beating flesh and clashing metal filled the streets, along with screams of terror and heavy roars. 
    Icarus quickly moved into the backroom, flipping over the cloth divider. He nodded towards his family, moving to a chest in the back of the room holding his weapon and armour. 
    "I'm glad to see you alive and well, Icarus," His mother said, as he stripped off his formal clothing. He stood in his cloth pants, his strong hardened torso bare, dipping down to take out a hard leather tunic. He grabbed his chainmail vest and iron breastplate, quickly throwing them on and latching all the leather straps. He kicked off his cloth shoes and stuck on steel shingaurds underneath his pant legs. 
    "It'd take more than a few Titans to harm me, mother," Icarus said, with a smile. "Hem, grab Daniel. You're going to need your speed, boy."
    "Yes Icarus," Hem said, quickly. He went over to the young boy, who looked remarkably like his father had at his age, and swifly put the boy on his back. "Hold on tight, Daniel."
    "Yes, Uncle," Daniel said in a small voice. His tiny hands latched onto each other around Hem's shoulders. "Shall you run as fast as the wind, Uncle Hem?" 
    "Of course, Daniel," Hem said, with a confident snicker. "I'm the fastest person in Albatross. I'll be faster than the wind."
    "You're going to have to be, little brother," Icarus said, attaching his sword hilt to his belt loop. His pants sagged a bit, not built for holding the weight of a steel sword, but Icarus simply tightened his belt. "Let's move out. The sooner we get back to the throne home, the safer we are." 
    "Icarus!" Rummy shouted from the front room. "Are you done primping yet?! We need to go!" 
    "Let's get a move on, then," Icarus said, beckoning to his family to follow him. "Don't worry Selene, if need be I can carry you."
    "I can fend for myself, young man," Selene said, waddling after them. "But, if you offer your shoulder as support, I'll not reject it." 
    "Then, please accept this as my baby gift," Icarus said, with a snigger, offering up his shoulder. She put a hand on it, bracing herself as she moved through the door. "Brother."
    "Icarus," He said, acknowledging him with a nod. "We'd best head out as soon as possible. The longer we stay, the longer they to find us."
    "Agreed," Icarus said. "Let's go. Father, be safe."
    "You're not coming with us?" Icarus' mother asked. 
    "My duty is to my family, dear, and these people as an entirety are my family," Icarus' father said, sternly. "I'll join you as soon as I can."
    "But-" She started. He silenced her with a quick look. Her lips pursed, as if she knew something the rest of them didn't, but their father wouldn't allow her to say it. 
    Icarus looked in between them, confused. His father shook his head, and clapped a shoulder on his two oldest sons shoulders. 
    "Protect my family, boys," He said, and then he walked out of the house.
    "He'll return to us," Their mother said. "But that means we need to be alive for him to return."
    "Yes ma'am," Rumatino said, nodding. "Come on, everyone. Follow me."
    "Hem, keep your grip tight, boy," Selene said, breathing heavily. "I'll not forgive you if you drop him."
    "Yes, sister-in-law." Hem said, his grip tightening on the young boy. They continued to walk, Rumatino ahead of them, keeping an eye out. Icarus sighed in frustration, as another house exploded behind them.
    "Sister-in-law, I know you have your sense of pride and I believe it is a truly wonderful thing," Icarus said, turning his head towards her. "But we must move faster. If you would just allow me to car-"
    "Let another man touch me, besides my husband?" She said, frowning at him.
    "I am your brother, Selene, maybe not in blood but in heart." Icarus said, tensely. "Selene, if we don't move faser we will all be dead. And your pride with it."
    "He's right, Selene," Rumatino said, looking back at them. "I'll not fault you for letting yourself be held by my brother. If it will keep you alive, I'd much prefer it."
    "I swear, you brothers are impossible sometimes," Selene sighed. "Fine, Icarus. Carry this heavy woman." 
    "Thank you for your cooperation," Icarus said, scooping the woman into his arms with ease. "Mother, can you run?"
    "I may be old, son, but I am still able to fend for myself," She said, with a small laugh. Icarus simply nodded in acknowledgement. He turned to his older brother, who nodded back to him. 
    The three brothers broke into a sprint, their mother shortly behind them. She wasn't as fast as her sons, but she was still able to keep up. She was agile as well, weaving through broken homes and such just as well are her offspring. 
    Icarus let himself look back for just a second, fire and smoke littering his beloved city. It felt all too familiar, but he wasn't a little boy anymore. He was a man. His shoulder burned, and he turned back around, following his brothers.