Death Awakens {Ikaia oneshot}

Time stood still as faces danced in the sky twinkling between the clouds flashing in front of the sun, but the faces vanished, and Ikaia found himself wondering if this was truly worth it. Saving people when President Snow ruined his life only sent him into more turmoil as a war raged on inside his mind. Right and wrong quickly turned into a battle of hate and anger, yet the game wasn't over not until his family was rebuilt, but nothing would bring them back. Nothing would raise Iain from the dead, and the thoughts haunt him because Ikaia should've volunteered. It should be him lying six feet under the ground instead of his young, innocent cousin. Yet he was alive. His heart was beating. His lungs expending despite the never ending agony living deep inside. But all he could think about was the final moments of Iain's short life, and how quickly the world forgot about him. Nobody cared because it was every single year, however, Ikaia wouldn't forget, he couldn't forget as his life changed forever - a promise remained true, though, and he would keep it for as long as he lived.

One step after another, Ikaia strutted through district four cleaning up the huge piles of trash strung across the ruined ground, but even using his own strength wasn't enough to provide the amount of work needed for the people of four to return to their feet. This tsunami reminded him of the drought district eleven went through when he was only eleven, twelve years old. The death toll rose higher and higher, and the Capitol didn't do anything until the crops were dying, and the animals were dying. Ikaia watched hopelessly as people starved to death, and he watched as people suffered from heat stroke. But nothing compared to this. Nothing compared to the amount of death lying in front him, but his eyes were lost. Trapped in the midst of a storm while others slowly dissolved in the mud and dirt.

Ikaia was lying to hisself. Every second of every single day he told himself he was alright, and that the pain didn't exist, but as he waltzed through district four cleaning up the mess left by Mother Nature he realized how bad he truly was. So much anger lingered inside as he picked up block after block before tossing it against the ground. Hatred at himself for not saving those he loved the most. Ikaia ruined his life by not stepping up to save his twin from the games, and now it was destroyed more by not saving Iain. It's my fault he's dead. It's my fault Kirito hates me. It's my fault. Yet the past is in the past and nothing can change what happened, but Ikaia wanted to. He wanted to make it better. If he could turn back time, Ikaia would've volunteered to save his twin brother, but now he can't and it's eating him alive.

Yet time froze the moment he heard cries coming from somewhere near by.

Ikaia galloped through the district leaping over high pieces of debris in order to get a clear view of the surroundings. People walked by pretending like nothing was wrong, but he needed a chance to redeem himself. To turn himself into the person he wanted to be, but his reality was much worse. Turning a corner, he saw a building and the crying was growing louder and louder. But his heart stopped. Cracked foundation ripped brought the ground threatening to devour the stronghold holding the tiny building up. His mind raced, but his thoughts were put on hold. All Ikaia could think about was running into the building to save the children inside because their lives were more important than his.

Dust clouds filled the air clouding his view fogging the building making it impossible to see, but he didn't stop. The building creaked with every step he took devouring his soul filling him to the brim with fear. I will not fail again. He whispered to himself over and over as the cries for help grew louder and louder. Ikaia wasn't apart of the rescue team, but he had to save them. He wanted to be like his brother. Kirito could save anyone without any problem in the world, but Ikaia on the other hand was a worthless being. I couldn't save Pa. I couldn't save Iain. I couldn't save me. Yet he wouldn't give up. Clearing his throat, Ikaia spoke hoping not to spook those trapped inside. "I'm here ta help ya. Just stay put. Imma comin'."

Downcast eyes darted through the room, and he watched carefully where he placed his feet as tin my pebbles fell from the ceiling. Every warning sign bellowed through his mind, and he knew he had to work fast before everyone inside died. "Over here." The voice was quiet and filled with panic, and it only made him move faster. But he has to be careful as one wrong movement had a great possibility of sending the sky crashing towards the ground with a raging fury. But his eyes fixated on the children in front of him taking in their current state. Blood stained their clothing, and he wondered how long they've been trapped inside, but they weren't very old. Four at the oldest, and his heart shattered until he wrapped them in his arms. "We gotta get outta here. Now. Quick." Panic radiated from his voice as the pebbles falling from the roof grew larger and larger, and time stood still, yet he didn't stop. "Go! Hurry!" But the clouds were growing bigger before his eyes, and the entrance was blocked out of view, but he kept pushing forward allowing his body to shelf the two children leading the way.

Light glistened through the door lingering inside beckoning for them to come. Ikaia couldn't move. His mind was trapped inside a lair as the devil tried to steal his soul from him once more but Ikaia wasn't ready to die. Not when safety was a few meters away. "Go!" He shouted at the kids shoving them through the door. And his foot crashed through the ground sending him crumbling towards the floor. A loud roar echoed behind him. The lights turned into darkness as he screamed for help begging for someone to find him. And the grim reaper stood in front of him holding his crooked finger out welcoming Ikaia into the afterlife, but he refused to follow. He refused to give up so easily, but his world was fading quickly. And Ikaia did the only thing he knew to do.

"Kirito! Brother! Save -"

But before he could finish a rock slammed into the side of his head rendering him unconscious.