Tales from Tepata: Lightning

Chapter 1: The Lonely Road

I walk a road, it's not a lonely one, but it's a long one. After all, what is one supposed to do when their realm, their home, is destroyed? What is one to do, when all they love and all they hold dear is obliterated in a matter of seconds?

I find myself wandering these streets, streets I am unfamiliar with, people lining both sides with various colorful clothes and styles. Some are crying in pain, covered in dirt and grime, while others are happily explaining that their products are the absolute best.

I looked around, in a daze and unsure of where to go, or what to do, having lost myself in the grief and sorrow that weighs on my heart like an iron drum.

"Will!" A voice cried out among the masses.

Will? A name I haven't heard in so long.

"William!" The Voice cries out louder and more tumultuous than before.

William? I recognize the name as if it's a distant memory prying at my inner thoughts, screaming out to me to hear it and see it.

"William Destiny!" The Voice booms, louder than the previous times.

Destiny? William? The memory slowly bleeds into my mind, the memory of who I was before my realm was destroyed.

"William! Will Destiny!" Said the Man wearing a tattered and dirtied white cloak, "It's me, Jack!"

Jack? I looked around, looking for some semblance of a spark, a spark to reignite my memory, to reignite my light so I may remember, yet no spark came. I fell to my knees, grabbing a fist of dirt, knowing this was not my home. I looked around, my eyes but a blur, as a man came into my view. His eyes were grey, his hair was dirty blond, whether it was by the fifth or by natural color I was unsure. His skin was pale, yet glowed with a sense of youth.

"Will, are you okay?" He said, concern tangible in his voice.

Will? That's me, a name I haven't heard, a name I forgot was given to me by my parents. What is a name if all that is tied to it, is destroyed? Who am I if I am left with nothing but fog and distant fragmented memories of what was and what could have been?

Jack helped me to my feet, taking me out of the street and into a nearby tavern. He sat me down as he recounted what he's been up to. Yet none of his words stirred me, I was stuck within my mind, not knowing anything. He spoke for what seemed like hours, as he smiled and gleamed with joy at having found me. It wasn't till the moon rose that he realized I had not heard a single word he said.

"What's wrong?" He spoke softly.

"I-" I began before blacking out, sleep taking me by the hand and guiding me to a far-off land,

I saw a world, a world of inspiration and joy. Where people were able to pursue their dreams and their hopes, where they were built up rather than broken down. Children roamed the streets playing kickball and chasing after each other screaming. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air as the baker kneaded more dough for his special flatbread. Then it all went silent, in an instant everything went grey, losing its color and luster. A single clawed hand covered the sky, as hundreds of crimson eyes appeared, like stars in the night sky.

In an instant, everything was gone, and me? I was thrown into another realm, as a hand grabbed me and saved me from oblivion.