Kasai was beginning to lose hope.

She had searched everywhere for any sign of Fuego, but there was nothing.

She had asked everyone she met along the way, but everyone said the same thing: "Sorry, but I haven't seen him. I'll keep an eye out, though."

She eventually came to the border of the Forbidden Hills.  She stared at the barren landscape up ahead nervously.  She didn't want to get lost, but it was the only place left.

She took a deep breath before stepping in.

It felt different since the last time she had been here. She wasn't sure why. She felt more vulnerable. More afraid. She knew she didn't have the protection of her friends this time. She was alone. She knew that it was very dangerous to be alone in a place like this, but she kept going.

She passed by many strange structures that looked like mini tents made of rotting wood. They were often grouped together. There were always people near these structures, but they'd run and hide whenever they saw her.

They all looked different, but had one thing in common:

Dark green eyes.

Kasai had never seen anyone with green eyes before. She didn't know it was possible for anyone to have green eyes.  It confused her greatly.

She hesitated when she heard annoyed grumbles and complaints nearby.  She grabbed the hilt of one of her swords just in case and stepped closer.

She was surprised to see another phoenix bent over a bunch of what appeared to be junk.  She let go of her sword and cleared her throat.

"Um, hello?"

The phoenix squawked in surprise and turned to face her.

"Hallo?  Who are you, zen?" he asked with a slight German accent.

"M...my name is Kasai.  I'm looking for my brother, Fuego.  He's been missing for a long time now.  He's about yay tall, wears a gray shirt with a diagnal black stripe, blue jeans, brown shoes, and has brown hair with a little curly cue that sticks out in the back."

"Hmm... yes, yes, I zink I did see someone like that a vile ago, actually!"

Kasai perked up. "You did!? Where?"

"Calm down, missy, I vouldn't get too excited if I vere you. He vas vith Dokusei, the most feared verevolf in ze Forbidden Hills und all of Hadari."

She hesitated for a moment. "...I've never heard of her. Although, Fuego did mention that a werewolf bit him about a week before his disappearance."

The German phoenix looked startled. "She got 'im, zen...oh no."

"What do you mean? Is he okay!?"

"I'm afraid to tell you, young Kasai, but...ze one you're looking for may be on Nuclear's side, now."

"... Nuclear? That's impossible, he disappeared years ago!"

"Nein, no he didn't. He just stopped helping govern Hadari because he vanted to rule it by himself! Quite a foolish act, if you ask me."

Kasai clenched her fists. "... just tell me where he is. Please."

"I can show you ze way, but you vill be on your own after zat."

"Yes, please show me the way, uhhh...."

"Hitze.  My name is Hitze."

"It's nice to meet you, Hitze, but could you please show me where he is?"

Hitze hesitated for a moment, then pointed in the direction of Nuclear's lair.  "Ze lair is zat way.  Please, be careful, Kasai.  If you need help, give a screech and I'll be zere to help you.  If I'm not busy.  Vich I probably vill be."

Kasai sighed, but nodded.  "Thank you, Hitze."  She ran in the direction of the lair.

Hitze waved.  "Auf Wiedersehen!  Und good luck!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was Fuego's turn to stand guard near the entrance of the lair. His sword was sheathed at his side. Dokusei went over to him.

"And you know what to do with any intruders, correct?"

"Sí. Yes. I'm to get them out of the way."

"Right. And how are you to do that?"

"Weaken them and bring them to you."

"Exactly. I'm expecting a lot from you, Fuego."

"No te decepcionaré.  I won't let you down."

Dokusei gave a brief nod before leaving again.

Fuego watched and waited, making sure no one came, but he hesitated when he saw a familiar silhouette on the horizon.

"... qué?" he muttered to himself, squinting. He then froze when he recognized the image of Kasai.

"KASAI! MÍ HERMANA!!" he shouted excitedly, racing over.

Kasai froze and looked over. "FUEGO!" she screeched.

The two of them met and shared a tight hug. Tears filled Kasai's eyes as she held her beloved brother close to her.

"I missed you so much! I was so worried!"

"¡Yo también te extrañé!  I missed you too!"

Kasai smiled brightly as she finally pulled away from her brother.  Joy danced in her eyes.

"I'm so glad I finally found you!"

Fuego smiled, but hesitated when he remembered what he had to do.

"... s...sí.  Me...me too." he muttered, looking down.

Kasai's smile faded.  "...bro...?  Are you okay?"

Fuego took a deep breath.

"... lo siento, hermana."

He drew his sword and stabbed her straight through the chest, causing her to let out a loud screech of pain.  Amber blood coated the blade and dripped off of it and onto the ground.

Tears filled Kasai's eyes as blood also started dripping from her mouth.  Fuego hid tears as he yanked the sword out of her, making her collapse onto the ground.

Blood began pooling underneath her and she gave her brother a terrified, weak look.

"...como...pudiste... ...h...how could you...?" she whispered.

Her eyes rolled back in her head and her eyelids fluttered closed as her body disintegrated into ash.

Fuego stifled a sob and collapsed over his sister's ashes, crying.

"Lo siento...lo siento..." he whispered over and over.  "I'm sorry..."

He immediately stopped crying as he heard a low growl behind him.  He turned around to see Dokusei in wolf form. 

She pounced...

...and everything went black.