Part 1 - The Rise ( 1- "The Rebels")

The Night was darker than any moonless night, and yet the moon was visible. There was nothing more to do in a night like this but to listen to the wind. It was a strange wind. Cold and warm at the same time. I look around and it seems there's no one else in the tower. I stand up and admire the view. It's not a pretty view; everything is militarized, and the soldiers often leave death among the streets. Even though the bodies are removed as fast as they hit the ground, the blood stains remain. Here, in the tallest tower of the Red House, is the only place where I can overlook all the sadness and desperation of my people. Here I can see outside the walls.

It seems just like yesterday, when everything was peaceful and you could see the kids playing and laughing. Now there's no kids on the streets. Since the Government proclaimed that every newborn belong to the State, people stopped dreaming about parenthood. People population decreased by 20% after the first year, and another 20% after 4 years. And 5 years later, when everything was revealed and everyone knew the fate of those innocent that were born inside the cities, total population had decreased 60% and the Government was furious. The walls were built and the military came with all their guns and pollution. What once was a beautiful place surrounded by lakes and mountains became an isolated State built by criminals faithful to the Government. And so the 20 feet tall wall that hides our home from outsiders was built.

I unzip my jacket and throw it trough a window to the insides of the Red House Presidential bedroom. There's no scream, no guards. No one's there just as Min had said. I would have been caught ad killed years ago if it wasn't because of Min. She has always backed me up and giving me the way to the insides of the city. I step inside the room and my blood boils. I want to scream, to turn everything around, to make a mess.
-Don't. - I hear her voice.
The Ruler and his family live a glorious life, while all the people on the cities are starving. If only I could take a few treasures we could be able to feed an entire city. But I know I can't make any human noise or the alarm will get every guard inside the palace to this same room and it will be the end of everything. I can't destroy everything my people has been working on since 10 years ago when everything started. I take a slow deep breath and step forward. Even though my night vision is poor I can see everything inside the room is valuable. Christal chandeliers, gold candle holders, silver picture flames. There's a big clock made of pure diamond. I recognized it from a picture book Min gave me as a child. The Time Stopper, one of the biggest treasures of our once beloved country. I feel an urge to take it with me, but it will surely slow me down, so I continue with my search.
-Check behind the daughter portrait. -Min says.
Definitively I need night vision glasses, since I can't distinguish between people portrait from the wall.
-Three steps to your right and you'll be fine. Watch out with the table in front of you.-
I always get nervous when following orders, but I know Min is trying to help me. It stills annoys me but I'm thankful for her effort. I almost hit the table.
-Don't make any noise.-
Tree steps to the right and I fount the portrait. It's a picture of a baby. A newborn. If we could just find her everything will change. We could challenge the State on the openness, and we will be able to have a fair fight. The Ruler won't be stupid enough to wash out the cities if her daughter gets missing within the walls.
I lift the portrait and there it is. A secret security box.
-Eriss, double 's' then star and open as slow as you can.- Min dictates.
I do as I say but it doesn't open.
-Hold on.- There's an urge on her voice. Min is never wrong. How could she miss the password?
I wait. I look around and notice there's a light coming out behind a smaller portrait. I walk slowly toward the light as if I've been hypnotized.
-What are you doing? Don't move.- Min says.
I keep walking. I'm sure there's something important at the portrait, if not it wouldn't been placed like that. In an awkward position. With that light coming behind it.
-Hold on- Min seems to notice it too.
I get closer and take a good look at the picture. There's a beautiful woman there, the kind you can't see around anymore. She's at the tower I was just some minutes ago. She's pregnant, and there's a pitiful look on her expression.
-It's wired, there's an electronic security box behind the portrait. if you lift it you're dead.-
What to do? Should I just give up and get back to the safety of our hideout. Should I risk my life to get a little hope? It doesn't matter if I stay alive, all I need is just a second to take a look at the inside and see if what we are looking for is in there. If I see it, Min will see it and with her the entire crowd that has been brave enough to rise against the Government. If what we are looking for is inside this security box, Min will have enough evidence to start a war, and people will support us. If not, my life and Min's life will just be wasted. But I'm here right now, I've come inside the palace and got this close, how can I just go back empty handed? I touch the portrait and I can sense the energy behind all the wires. There's for sure something valuable there.
-Come back. Forget it. We'll figure something else.- Min vice seems distant.
I know she's as disappointed as I am. I can see her eyes full or anger and I take my decision. I lift the portrait.

The siren is piercing my ears. There's a wardrobe next to the door I push it so it will block the door. As fast as I can I trow the portrait inside my bag. I type the password. It works. I open the small door and take the even smaller box and put it in my bag. The guards are here now, they are screaming and breaking their way in. Min is saying something I can't hear. I look around and something catches my sight. There's someone on the window where I came in. A tall figure dressed in black with a mask on his face. I can see just his eyes. He sees me. He's holding a big sword, the kind that belong to the highest soldier rank. He smiles at me.
-I'm sorry Min- I say.
-Fight him.-she say, but I know I can't overpower him. I close my eyes and wait as he comes closer to me. I can hear the soldiers are already inside the room. There's too much noise I can't hear Min's voice. I see my whole life passing through my eyes. I didn't know I could remember my parents face, I see them smiling at me. I try to reach my mother's hand.
-I don't want to lose you- Min says.
Min's voice has always given me hope. Just by wanting to see her gives me the desire to keep on breathing. And suddenly I feel stronger and faster. I open my eyes and he's not there. I turned back and I see him fighting with the guards. There are already a few on the floor. He looks back at me.
-What the hell are you waiting for? Get out of here!- he yells at me.
Ally? We thought there was no one supporting us. I take the opportunity and run. I'm on the tower now, the night is so dark I can't see where I'm stepping on. I feel. I stand up. I feel again. There are soldiers everywhere. They are fighting. And for the first time I noticed them. People, fighting the soldiers, and not just that, they have weapons and the soldiers are backing up.
-We got it! Let's go home!- someone with the strongest voice I've ever hear yells and everyone hears. Bombs explode inside the palace. Guards have the command to protect what's inside not outside. They run to the inside of the Red House, the rebels run on the opposite side, I can see they all get on an airship. A big one, just like the ones Min always talk about. I can see the huge black wings even from this far. There's a logo I try to distinguish but I can't see very clearly.
-Hey! Move on! Unless you want to stay here,- the tall man says.
I follow him. I don't know if he's an ally or foe, but for now I just have this option. There's a ladder I've never seen before, and electrical one. The man uses it and I follow. There's no time to think about anything else. Being on my five senses, I would just run away from this man who saved my life. I would just go back the same way I came in. I would just go back to Min. But I have the feeling that I need to follow him. He's faster than me. I try to catch up but I'm not fast enough. Something is wrong with me. I start loosing control. I feel one more time. I try to stand up but I can't. I'm dizzy and confused. I'm losing my sight. Everything is darker now.