The After Years: Chapter 2

Miki stared at Brother while he was sleeping. Yert, who was on Miki’s shoulder started with him. Miki and Yert always did this when they were bored and they always got the same result from Brother that they wanted. Brother groaned and opened his eyes to a squint.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” He flung his pillow at Miki, but he stepped sideways… so it hit Yert instead.

Yert landed on his back blinking, “Mew?”

Brother stood up and cracked his neck, “Do you have to do that?”

“Well of course, Brother! You wouldn’t wake up then! And it’s not like we do it everyday!” Miki cheerfully explained. Yert got up to his feet and jumped into Miki’s arms.

Brother gave an annoyed glare to the now full grown Yert, “That cat has no skills. Why don’t you get a dragon instead? Or… how about a kitsune? Anything would be better that that thing.” Yert blinked at him, but then started licking his paws.

“It’s six o’clock.”

“What?” Brother walked over to the mirror in their shack and started shaving.

“It’s six!”

“Your point?

“You have work in 30 minutes.”

Brother glimpsed upon his wrist computer, “Shit.” He rashly finished his shave and started putting all his supplies together.

Miki put Yert down on the window sill, “What a bad way to start the day, huh? Going to change at the factory?”

“Yeah. Damnit!” Brother tried closing his backpack until he gave up and went out the door with the top open.

Miki walked out with him, “When are you going to be home?” He was also going to suggest that Brother should get an enchanted backpack, but he decided not to, since Brother was already running late.

“Late.” At that Brother raced down the road.

Miki stood outside the door, listening to his fading footsteps and muffled voices nearby, “He forgot it was my birthday.” Yert jumped off from the window sill and went over to rub against Miki’s legs.


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“Aye! Miki! Isn’t today your birthday!?”
Miki turned around to see Henry waving at him. Henry owned the main department store in Postfields, along with many other things. He was the one who was turning this town into a city. Miki jogged next to him.

Miki nodded, “Yes, it is.”

“How old are you?” Henry was doing inventory.

“Ten.”

“Is that so? Here, have some chocolate.” Henry handed him a candy bar. Miki grabbed it and grinned.

“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it! Say. Do you happen to have some school supplies? Brother says I need to buy some for this fall.”

“Of course I do!”


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Brother ogled at the screen, “It’s the same thing everyday. Same graphs, same charts, same statistics, same boredom!!!! Argh.” He flopped over on his arm, “I’m getting to old for this.”
A coworker next to him agreed, “I know what you mean. We would only need one person if it wasn’t for the war.”

More of them spoke up, “Can you believe that in 428082, everyone thought that Postfields was not going to be affected?!”

“And now in 428985 everything does! If only Henry and his family hadn’t made it such a big trading town!”

“Well that helps our paychecks, don’t forget!”

“But it doesn’t help our lives!!”

“Now the Techs forces are nearby!”

“GET BACK TO WORK!!!!” The boss roared down to the workers, which made all of them snap back to business.

‘This is going to be a long day…’ thought Brother.


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It was late into the night and both Brother and Miki where sleeping. The wind howling outside kept Yert awake. His ears were twitching and he growled under his breath.
Miki was shaken awake. He stood and blinked at Brother who was shining in the moonlight from sweat.

“What is it, Brother?”

“I have to tell you something. You have to go to your half-sister, Li Mei. Okay? She lives in the capital. She’s the princess.”

“What? I have a hal-“

“Shutup,” Brother said quickly. His eyes faltered when he heard distant gunfire and footsteps, “Just go, okay? The Techs are attacking and I don’t want you,” he glanced at Yert who was waiting at the door, “or Yert to get hurt. Just head for the capital. Here’s the money.”

Miki gingerly took the crumpled money in Brother’s hand, “Aren’t you coming?”

“No. I’m staying to fight.” Brother herded Miki to the door, “Take a boat from the dock and sail north to Ironfist. And travel inland from there.”

“But won-”

“I’m the guardian of you and the people in this town. I have to stay.”

“Couldn’t you just come with me?”

Brother’s face calmed down and he reached into his pocket, “That would be nice,” he took out a dagger and pressed it into Miki’s neck, “But that’s not my thing. When I’m given as a gift, that’s what I’ll be. It is my duty after all, and it’s my duty to guide you. So you best leave or there will be a different method to get you to leave.”

Miki stared at him with a hurt face, “Um… yes, Brother.” He immediately ran out the door with Yert on his heels, frowning at dirt road.

“Oh, yes! Happy Birthday!” Brother yelled down the road, “Happy Birthday.”

Miki pretended not to hear him.