3.

Yao and Fain stood in front of what was left of the apartment complex.

Fain looked at the debris, then at Yao.

"Wanna see a magic trick?"

Yao lifted his eyebrow.

Fain returned a bright smile, then slowly unzipped his jacket.

"Meow~" A black fur ball shot out onto the ground. Pearl ran around them, meowing and rubbing her head against their legs.

"Silly cat." Yao squatted down to scratch her chin.

Fain watched silently.

Behind them, above the debris a group of fire-fighters were putting out the fire.

Further away, a man dug through the rubble for survivors with a rescue dog.

"Thanks, Fain." Yao said as he stood up.

"Anytime. Just remember to stick inside my jacket like Pearl." Fain pointed to his chest, a deep dimple showed between his smiling lips and cheeks.

Yao returned him with a punch to the shoulder. "Come on, let's go see if we can help."

"Hey! You two over there!"

They turned around, a police officer blocked their way and showed his ID.

"I'm investigating the explosion case, so I need your cooperation with some questions."

"I'm aware you're a registered mage on our list." He nodded in Yao's direction.

"Eye witnesses described two people who had "appeared" mid air. As far as I'm aware mages don't have teleportation abilities." The officer frowned at them, then glanced at Yao, "Especially not a low level mage like you."

"And you sir?" He asked Fain. "Which organisation are you registered under?"

Fain hid behind Yao, visibly startled.

Yao sighed lightly. "He's my cousin who recently moved here. He’s not that smart, but he's been trying to find a job."

"Which city did he move from? I will have to check his migration permit." The officer tapped his watch impatiently, as his colleague called for him a second time from afar.

"City 252, next to the Northern border. His permit was in the apartment, I'm really sorry officer, it was all so sudden...all our money's gone too..." Yao's voice broke off into low sobs, he covered his face in distress.

"That city in the Seraph Desert?" Pity appeared in the officer's eyes, "Alright, you two can go."

"Thank god only this area was targeted, just a bunch of riffraffs, makes our job much easier..." Yao heard the officer say to his colleague as they walked off.

Once the police officers left their sight, Yao grabbed Fain and said, "We can't stay here, follow me."

They passed two rescuers carrying a stretcher. On top, a male body half showed from beneath the white sheet. A faded, black circular tattoo mark could be seen on his neck. The exposed body parts were covered with uneven patches of burnt, charred skin.

"Where are the supports?" Fain asked.

"Supports are rare now, especially those with healing abilities. Only elite squads have them." Yao replied, then he asked, "You don't remember? Supports were also executed in masses towards the end of the war. Nobody was safe then."

They passed by a group of smoking teenagers gathered at the entrance of a convenience store, who laughed and pointed at the sight of a black cat following two tall men.

The smoke from the cigarettes instantly filled Yao's senses, bitterly suffocating. Under the midday sun, the pavement floated with dust. Every now and then they passed by piles of garbage scattered on the street, all surrounded by flocks of crows. Their harsh caws echoed from above and below.

After they passed through a small alleyway, Fain's voice sounded again, "I didn't see the end of the war. I defected."

Yao looked back, "I remember seeing your name on the list of those executed on the Northern front."

"Half of those lists were fake. They were fabricated to secure the Empire's authority. Many people had managed to escape past the border like me." Fain replied.

"I see." Yao nodded his head. "Thankfully it's all over now."

Just as Yao was about to turn a corner, Fain grabbed his shoulder. "Yao, tell me, what did they do to you?"

Yao felt Fain's cold fingers move to his neck and, very gently, rip off the bandaid.

Holding the clear, almost invisible bandaid in between his fingers, Fain asked again, "Yao, what is this mark on your neck?"

Inside the quiet alleyway, against the tattered concrete wall, their breaths entangled with each other's. Yao felt a coldness creep up his spine, as Fain's face came closer and closer, until only a pinky's length away from his.

He looked away from Fain's suffocating gaze.

That hexagon shaped tattoo. The past he had been used to hiding for so long, flashed before his eyes.

When he looked back, he saw that tears had filled Fain's eyes, as though he had wronged him. Suddenly, he felt warmth return to his body.

He shook his head and smiled, "What should I do with you."

Lightly, he patted Fain's fluffy head, "Don't cry, I spent a few years in the corrections jail, that's all. I'm all fine now, you see?" He felt Fain's head bury into his shoulder. Hesitantly, he hugged onto Fain's broad shoulders, which stiffened at his touch.

"But Fain, it really hurts."

"I'll kill them for you. Those fucking dogs." Fain's muffled, raspy voice came through.

"Fain."

"What?"

"You're still a crybaby."

"Hmph."