The Great Escape

Alakazam

He steered the ship above the alleyway, and the city below them was getting smaller and smaller, "how the hell did you afford this?" Zade asked looking below, "easy I didn't, now buckle up because we are in some hell!" He retired as he pressed a button in the center of the wheel, and the ship moved forward in a burst of speed, a hail of arrows come rushing for the ship, but the archers fail to hit them, they rushed forward at great speed and got higher and higher. Zade clings to the ship to prevent herself from falling off, as Alakazam tries to keep a straight face as the powerful gust of wind throws his face back and he feels his eyes watering. But determined he keeps his handle on the wheel and keeps the ship stable, as they eventually get high enough and out of archer range. He wipes his forehead of sweat, as Zade looks at him with an unamused face, her hair ruffled and spiky.

Alakazam laughs as he finally gets a breather, pressing down a latch as the ship continued moving forward. As Alakazam finally got to relax he got to get a good look at Zade, he noticed she looked older, almost unnaturally older. It had only been six years but she looked as if she was more than ten years older. He ignored the idea and took a seat near her, as she was looking down below, seeing the pretty clouds and leaving the red sky of Masiya. "I've never been outside of Masiya, in all my life. Funnily enough, I'm glad I can finally leave." she says with an almost smile forming on her lips, "what the hell did you even get yourself in? They never execute ghazi, it never happened in the history of the nation." He said looking to her expectedly, she kept quiet and smacked his back. "Story for another time, but where exactly are we going and what's next?" She asked, "we are headed to Danshu to one get some food and stock up. The goal is to find the Wish Stones, Danshu has the most expansive library and should help in our findings." She barked a laugh, holding her stomach as tears start forming in her eyes.

But Alakazam kept his determined look, "you are still a dreamer, you expect us to travel the world while being wanted by the Mustafa and Khan family, and somehow find these lost magical stones, that have not been found in over fifty years?" She said raising an eyebrow, he opened up the map and revealed a large path leading in a big circle around all of Epavar. "The plan is to start a crew, and once we do the crime families can suck it. Stealing this ship was the first step. And as far as I remember you used to be the risk-taker back in the day. Is old age getting to you?" She glanced at him and looked ahead. "As long as you know the hell you brought loose, it's fine by me." She pulled a rolled-up blunt and started smoking, as she made her way down the stairs. Leaving Alakazam alone, he kept looking at the map and taking deep breaths. He had managed to steal Azure's ship, rescue Zade, and is on the way to finally achieving his dream, but at what cost? The sky went dark quickly as they sailed forward into the land of Danshu.

11 years ago...

It was a very hot and sunny day in Baragoi, Alakazam's mother had them packing all week, Alakazam didn't get it. He couldn't understand why he had to move away from all his friends and move away from his home. They walked a decent distance before finally getting a carriage ride. "Cheer up kid, I know we're moving far from home. But it is for a good reason." She said with a large smile as she ruffled his hair, Alakazam pouted but nodded. As they sat in the carriage, the road forward was rocky and difficult, the two sat in awkward silence before she decided to try and break the ice. "So are you excited about the new house? Masiya is a beautiful nation and you can make some new friends." He shrugs but then looks outside the carriage, he wanted to ask more questions, he wanted to know why they were moving, and who they were running away from. But his mom was all he had, she was always there for him and they lived in a good comfortable home, so maybe this next place was bigger, he had hoped. "Yeah mom, I'm going to miss home but it could be fun." He said trying to keep a happy expression and look forward.

The trip took days and eventually they found themselves at the entrance of Masiya. He coughed the first thing he noticed was how red the sky was and dusty the area was. He saw several factories and buildings spewing red like smoke that went up into the clouds. His mother patted his back, "they're there, its a little dusty but you will get used to it. Wanna piggyback ride?" She said wiggling her eyebrows and kneeling to get to eye level with him, he smiled and jumped on her back. She carried him into the large city, and they walked past lavish and beautiful homes. They saw the large golden palace in the heart of the city and walked past it. Alakazam was growing eager, almost even excited to see their new home. But they continue walking forward as they walk farther and farther from the golden palace, he notices the area getting dim and less friendly. Fewer people roaming the streets and fewer smiling faces, as they eventually stop before a completely run down and tattered building, the area was less than ideal, but despite that. His mother looked at him with a big smile and walked forward with their bags and belongings moving in.

Alakazam woke up drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, he ran his hands through his hair and took a deep breath, he got dressed and sorted himself out, walking out of his room to find Zade not too far away in the kitchen room. He raised an eyebrow looking surprised. "Never knew you could cook, what's for breakfast?" he asked walking into the kitchen and seeing her chopping up onions and tomatoes. She scoffed and motioned him out, "yes I could cook jackass." He smiles and then heads out to the dining area, he sat the table and started setting the table. After a few minutes, Zade returns with two large plates of eggs, bacon, and sausage. With a side of diced potatoes. "Oh wow," he said surprised as she passed him the plate and fork and knife, the two sat across from each other at this large table. Alakazam ate but felt the tenseness in the air, they were once friends but it's been years.

He barely knew her then did he truly know her now? "So what kinda people are you looking for, for this crew and how exactly are we going to get into Danshu without raising suspicion." She asked digging into her meal, "As many people as we can get and we need experts of their craft and people willing to get their toes dirty. When we arrive in Danshu we should find some interesting people, maybe an engineer or someone in that field. As for disguises," he smiles and magenta spectral armor forms around his entire body. Zade of course couldn't see this, as he focused on the armor, solidifying it and picturing a noble's outfit, It was bright blue and he had black trousers, as he then focused on the shape and look of his face, his skin lightening and his eyes becoming more slanted, he had a stronger jaw now and looked completely different.

The typical features of a Danese man, and Zade dropped her fork, "Is that how you managed to sneak into the execution?" She blinked and walked up to him, feeling his clothes and face. "Oh wow..." She said just taken aback, he nodded and then spoke clear and fluent Danese. "When did you learn how to do all this?" She asked backing up, "I started developing my powers more after we split, I spent that time learning Danese and Arlish once I discovered I could shape and change my psychic armor. I started learning how to use it to turn invisible, turn into people, and all that. But I can't change my voice, can't change my height and other Kineticists can see straight through it. But I have my disguise through, for you, we can buy you some clothes and such to blend in." Alakazam said dropping the form and returning to normal, the two sat back down and finished their meal. The airship would arrive in Danshu in two more days, Alakazam and Zade were going headfirst into the most powerful and advanced nation in all of Epavar.