The story so far:

---- Aija and the others on the South-Land. 

---- They are waiting for the Leadership to attack.

---- Aija finds out that The Gale was attacked on the Main Lands, and she worries for her brother - Rei/Goldstar. 

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****2.GOLDSTAR****

Hazy drifts of conversations encircled his senses.

They mingled with the last surviving traces of his nightmares, creating distorted realities that anguished his sleep.

The leaden quiet, the cold tears, the opaque darks, the monsters born of his loneliness....

Goldstar snapped awake; he sat up, feeling his body groan with disapproval. A wave of bright light and loud conversations stabbed his awareness as he sat taking in his surroundings.

He was alive. Alive.

Goldstar lay on a bed in what seemed to be a make-shift Medic Centre. People scuttled around carrying trays of wound-dressings, medications, food, while others like him lay on the beds, recovering. He spotted no familiar faces and sat heaving with the effort it took him to sit straight. He inspected himself; his right leg rested in a cast, Princess Ruyanir's hair glistened on his right wrist, and his left hand was bandaged.

And it appeared very much like his little finger was missing.

But his alarm over a missing finger was replaced by a different sort of dread. Where were the others? Had no one made it out? Vincent, Himari, Leigh, Tailyn... He distinctly remembered losing the Premiere. And with that, his entire experience of nearly dying returned; the darkness, the suffocation, the eerie quiet...

"Gold?"

Himari stood at the foot of his bed, right hand in a cast, eyes puffy and red.

"Himari," croaked Goldstar, throat dry.

"Oh, Gold," Himari hugged him in one sweeping motion and placed herself on the bed. She cried, and Goldstar held her, her sobs unnerving him. "I thought I'd lose you too,"

'Lose you too...'

Goldstar's breathing went shallow. "Himari, who all made it?"

Himari righted herself, her tear-stained face red. "Vincent, Iyler, John...," her voice broke, "a few trainees."

Goldstar eased when he heard Vincent's name, but there were others she hadn't mentioned.

"What about Leigh, Tailyn?"

Fresh tears clotted in her eyes, and Goldstar's heart dropped. "No,"

"Vincent found them...holding hands under the rubble," Himari burst into tears.

Goldstar's sanity crumpled. No... Not sweet Tailyn and clever Leigh. Goldstar remembered Tailyn's joy in learning he and Vincent were together. Goldstar cried, hands curled into fists. This was all Wiet's doing. All this blood was on Mike Wiet's hands. And Goldstar would make the man pay. By blood.

Goldstar and Himari held hands as they cried for their friends. Himari regained composure first. As Goldstar sobbed, she told him how she'd gone outside with Vincent when the Leadership's fighter jets had started attacking the building. When she realized they were about to bomb the place, Himari barred Vincent from going back in, but they were still caught in the aftershock. Himari had broken her hand in the fall, Vincent got away with a few scratches. The Army had shelled the place and left to let the debris settle. Vincent and Himari had waited for the rubble to settle a little before venturing in. They'd found a few trainees and John and Iyler, who'd managed to run. Arah Lin wasn't breathing when they found her. Vincent had finally come upon Goldstar and the Premiere. By the time he and Himari were able to get him out, the Secures and Army were returning. But they'd managed to get him, Tailyn, Leigh, Arah, and the Premiere, the trainer Jax Aier, and two other members on a Levi Port Bus along with other survivors. They'd left to the Open, where the Gale squad helped them all to get to Landing 5. John and Iyler had insisted on leaving the dead behind, but Vincent had been adamant about taking them. And Himari had supported him. How could they just leave them behind?

Goldstar moved to stand; his leg screamed in agony.

"Don't stand," Himari warned, "your leg is quite broken."

Goldstar hissed in pain. He wanted to see Vincent. "I need to,"

"Go where?"

"Vincent," he spoke through near-blinding pain.

"He was here the entire time, refusing to budge, to eat, to sleep. Arc advised him to go help in the Medic Centre to keep him occupied."

"Where...?"

Himari sighed. "The next room. Wait," she cautioned as Goldstar stood. She handed him a pair of crutches that were by his bed. "These are the only ones available, no hover-chairs, sorry."

"Thank you," he flinched with pain. "Am I really missing a finger?" he lifted his left hand.

Himari offered him a doleful nod.

****

Goldstar hobbled into the adjacent room, eyes darting around, searching for the tall, green-eyed man.

Iyler spotted him first; she stood by a trainee's bed – Goldstar recognised him as Michael – clutching a tray of food. She fixed her gaze on Goldstar, mouth open. And, behind her, Goldstar saw Vincent.

Vincent turned around and glanced at Iyler; he then followed her gaze to Goldstar. His annoyance at Iyler morphed into worry, then relief. He rushed to him.

Goldstar limped forward, already displeased with the crutches, and Vincent hugged him. Goldstar let go of the crutches and put his arms around the man. Goldstar cried in Vincent's embrace. His last thoughts under the rubble had been of Vincent; if he'd ever see him again, if he'd ever hold him, kiss him.

"Rei," Vincent crooned.

Goldstar's sobs were uncontrolled. "Vince.."

"It's alright, Rei, you're fine."

"Tailyn..." his voice quivered.

"I know, I know," Vincent soothed him; he stroked his back with long, gentle sweeps of his hand. "We'll get through this, love."

"Wiet's going to pay for this,"

"We'll make sure of it," Vincent placed a kiss on Goldstar's cheek.

Goldstar's sobs calmed. He looked up at Vincent, who also had red, puffy eyes, aware of Iyler and Michael staring at them as he leaned to kiss Vincent. Vincent pulled him close, and the two of them kissed, aware and uncaring towards all the eyes in the room taking them in. Goldstar deepened the kiss, greedy for more; he'd thought he'd never experience this again. Vincent obliged, kissing him harder, tracing his tongue over his lips.

Goldstar's leg whined; he lost balance even though Vincent held him.

"Better not strain your leg," Vincent spoke, his lips against Goldstar's. "Let's get you to bed."

Vincent helped Goldstar get his crutches and led him out of the room. And, Goldstar caught a glimpse of Iyler's horrified look for him. And, despite everything that had happened, it warmed his heart.

****

'We're going to die,'

'I'm sorry,'

'You must make it out of here,'

'Veer, Earth depends on you,'

'You are a good leader, Rei Oshiro,'

'Premiere?'

'Premiere?'

"Premiere!" Goldstar jolted up from harrowed sleep.

"Rei? Rei, what's wrong?" Vincent put a hand over his shoulder; Goldstar felt its warmth.

Goldstar sat upright and hissed when his leg hurt. How long would it take for his leg to heal? Even the cast that reduced pain and allowed one to walk with a fractured leg, he needed crutches. Very vaguely, Himari had mentioned his leg hadn't suffered just one fracture, but a few. Vincent refused to mention it at all.

They were still in the Medic Centre, and with several people, Goldstar felt claustrophobic. "Let's go get some air,"

Vincent helped Goldstar out of the building, helped him to a stair at the entrance, and went back in to get him food. Goldstar sat under the cold night, watching Arc and Clara bring in more Gale members to the Landing, and wished he could be helping them instead of sitting uselessly with a broken leg.

The bandage over his left hand had been removed; he found it odd to see the only four fingers that made up his left hand. The pain, a dull throb, didn't bother him much, but the tangible feeling of the non-existent little finger disoriented him.

Goldstar had tried to contact his parents, but no calls went through. The only information he had of them was from the news that floated in from arriving survivors; the Leadership had tried to take his family in for interrogation, but the house had been blocked by Gale members. Goldstar felt relieved that he'd at least thought to have them under the Gale protection. Mike Wiet had warped the information to his advantage – if the Oshiro house had Gale protection, it served as proof which side the entire family belonged on. Goldstar felt awful that he'd not told them of his involvement with the Gale sooner. Even the copies of the Records he'd wanted to give them as proof now sat with him in his backpack, rescued by Vincent, along with Aija's lock of hair. It was bad enough that they'd found out over the news; now, the Leadership tried to interrogate them. He wanted to get them out of Innermost soon, but with nearly every Gale squad trying to gather themselves in the aftermath of the attack, he knew it would take a while longer. He hoped the Gale team stationed at his home would suffice for now.

He'd also learnt of the Leadership's attack on the South. It had come at the same time as the strike on the Cores. But on the South, it had only been a warning. The next incursion wouldn't be easy on the South – it would be an all-out War. Goldstar could only hope that Aa'di's Army reached them in time. Else, they'd be heading into ruination.

"Here," Vincent sat beside him and offered a tray of food.

Goldstar eyed the hot soup, bread, and fruits on the tray, not feeling hungry. But not wanting to dishearten Vincent, he started with the soup. Hot and spicy, the soup warmed him, a warmth he felt guilty about experiencing when all that had occurred had been his doing by refusing Wiet's offer.

"What about you?"

"I ate while you slept," Vincent observed Arc and Clara and other members carrying in supplies; the food packets, tinned water, and juices, and Med supplies.

"What do we do now?" Goldstar took a bite of the wheat-bread.

Vincent didn't answer right away; he still had his eyes on the others, shuffling in and out of the building past them. "Whatever you say," he turned to Goldstar.

Goldstar took in Vincent; dark circles embellished his eyes, stubble coating his jaws, looking tired as if he'd carried the weight of the world for days.

"Goldstar,"

Vincent and Goldstar lifted their heads to see Daniel. Goldstar hadn't seen the man in ages.

"Daniel," he acknowledged.

"Must be a lot," Daniel spoke, tone sympathetic, "to go through. I keep watching the news." The man wore the Gale gear and appeared tired, overworked like everyone at the Landing.

Goldstar grimaced.

"All these new responsibilities too," Daniel continued. "With everyone waiting for commands, I understand how hard it must be for you."

"Hard for me?" Goldstar's brows knitted together. "I'm sitting, useless, while all around me struggle to handle the work." Goldstar nodded towards Arc's group, still carrying in the newly arrived provisions. "Haven't the commands come from the Premieres?"

Even saying Premiere hurt. Goldstar had gone with Vincent to see those who hadn't made it through the Leadership's attack. He'd cried on seeing Leigh, Tailyn, Premiere Red and Arah Lin in glass caskets, with a few others, waiting to be given a funeral. Humans were burned, but Vincent had suggested burying them on the South Land, and Goldstar and Himari had agreed. They deserved to be on the Land of the Free.

Daniel and Vincent exchanged glances; Daniel seemed troubled.

"We're waiting for orders from you," Daniel conveyed, caution in his tone.

Goldstar blinked. He placed the food tray beside him on the stairs. "What?"

Vincent cleared his throat and turned to face Goldstar completely. He took Goldstar's hands in his and held them tight, and Goldstar's stomach knotted from Vincent's gesture and the connotations of his concern. "It turns out there really was a single person calling the shots in the Gale. It was Premiere Red. And...," Vincent pursed his lips, "and he'd already named a successor in case anything happened to him. And now that he's gone, we know who the Leader is."

And with Vincent's words, it all came rushing back to Goldstar – the memory of the Core crumbling above him, the Premiere taking his hand and running, getting caught under the debris, the Premiere's real name, and...his words that he'd named Goldstar as his successor.

"You, Rei," Vincent whispered.

Goldstar drew his hands away from Vincent's and put his face in his palms, edgy. Vincent put a steady hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"I don't deserve it," Goldstar mumbled, face buried in his palms.

"You do," Daniel's voice held the conviction Goldstar didn't feel in himself.

To be responsible for all of Gale, to give orders that would decide their future: it was all too much. Goldstar felt like a child on the Throne of the Universe; it didn't feel grand.

He lifted his head from the nest of his palms to catch Daniel eyeing him expectantly. But Goldstar didn't feel prepared.

"Let's start simple," Vincent encouraged, "with tasks that were already underway when the Premiere was with us. Whenever you're ready,"

Goldstar would never be ready. It had been a few days since the ambush and the Premiere's demise. He wasn't sure if the other Premieres approved of him pulling strings; he hadn't met any other than Premiere Green and Premiere Black – Zhaleh Ivanov. He wished Premiere Red had prepared him for this when he'd decided that Goldstar would have this role one day. Or perhaps, he'd decided too late. Whichever the case, it was on Goldstar now, and he didn't have the time to mope around cursing his new authority; he had to do something.

So, he gave commands on getting all the Gale to the South-Land, except for the squads in the Open of every City; they were still necessary to handle the Savages. He needed more help on the South for the War – for it would happen; Mike Wiet wouldn't let this go.

Daniel left to convey the orders, and Goldstar relaxed.

"That was easy," Vincent offered him a supportive smile.

"Because it was already a given command," Goldstar cribbed. "I'm scared."

"Good," Vincent grinned. "It's good to be scared."

Goldstar scoffed. "Only you would say that."

Vincent smirked.

They sat in silence for long moments before Vincent said, "I want to be useful too,"

"Then kiss me,"

Vincent didn't hesitate. He put his lips hard on Goldstar's, kissing him like they'd never see each other again. "Best job in the world," murmured Vincent against his lips.

Goldstar clutched Vincent's green shirt, pulling him close; the fear of almost losing Vincent with his own death still clinging to him. Vincent slid his hands under Goldstar's shirt, making him gasp; his hands were soft on Goldstar's skin.

Vincent pulled back, breathing quick. "I thought I'd lost you, Rei. When the building shattered and fell to the ground, my heart did too."

"I'm here," whispered Goldstar, placing a peck on the man's nose.

"I'm keeping you by me at all times, even if it annoys you."

Goldstar chuckled. "Good,"

Later, when Himari came asking for Vincent's help in the Medic Centre, he was reluctant on leaving Goldstar. But he assured him he'd be fine and sent the man away.

Alone on the stairs at the entrance to Landing 5, Goldstar didn't feel okay. Anxiety bore its nails into his skin and dug deeper, worries unceasing. He was concerned for his parents, concerned about making the right decisions as a Leader, and worried about his sister.

Goldstar hadn't heard news any of Aija. With all the drama the Gale had been rolling through, no one had contacted the R'ies. There was no word from Etrie Ay'tir on Aija and the other Ytai. Had she gotten the Àvo? Was she on Earth? Were the H'eon still Harvesting? Or did the lack of information indicate something macabre? Had Thieron Harvested her? Did he have the Àvo? When were they planning on using it?

Goldstar sighed loudly. Clara, who was walking past him, stopped to check on him. He gave her a nod, and she went on her way.

He wished he had some news on Aija. He regretted sending her; waiting was fatiguing.

Goldstar stood, limping, supported by the crutches. He watched the frozen sunrise.

He had to get to the South-Land before the Leadership attacked a second time, causing fatalities.

But first, he had to get used to those damned crutches.

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