He spent most of his nights thinking about the future.

The future he'd seen - lived - where he was a powerful General and his cause had won, kept him up into the twilit hours of the night. The blades he had, twin curved short swords that could not draw blood but immobilized parts of his opponents, and the heavy pauldrons and coat weighed heavily on his mind. His hometown safe from the White Moon. The power they wielded. Yes, it was a military state, but it was for the greater good. They cleansed the earth of those against them, and gave rise to a new order. A peace that was hard fought and justified. Many died, but their sacrifice strengthened their cause.

He wanted that future, he craved it. A world filled with Chaos and nothing else meant those he loved were safe. His family, his love, his own well being. Without a war, no one was in harms way, provided they knew the side to be on.

The only time he did not think of this future was when his Nina was in his bed, curled against him. He lost himself in her orange hair and her spit fire attitude, and slept peacefully next to her. He did not know where she was in that future, but he hoped she would be at his side when it came to pass. Jarosite loved her with his whole heart, and wanted nothing but the best for her. This future would be the best, the safest. It worried him, in the back of his mind, why she was not there in the future. Why she was not at his side. He reasoned he may have sent her away to be safe until Destiny City was completely theirs. Reasonable, but worrisome. He tried to not think about it.

Jarosite - no, he was Merric - let out a soft sigh, staring at his ceiling. The future was so far away, yet he wanted it right then and there. He wanted power, and magic, and rank. For the first time since being enlisted into the order, Mer felt purpose. He felt like he had a place and a job to do. General Avalon was a... regrettable loss, but if he'd learned anything in the short time he was under her, it was that you had to have drive. He hadn't had it during the Second Rift and certainly didn't have it before then.

He had it now.

To keep those he cared about safe, he needed to make sure the future came to pass as he saw it. It was his duty, and his purpose now. Whatever it took, he would do it. He would no longer idly stand by and simply take his anger out on the White Moon; no, he would show them their place and that the new world order would come to pass. Even if it meant leaving their lifeless bodies on the ground.

Unable to sleep, Merric slipped out of bed. He powered up and vanished, off to train in the Rift until his body demanded he sleep.

[ WC: 517 ]