Ashes

Arch II. Empire of Steel. Legend 1. Dream

The first thunderstorm recently occurred on Xentaron, which was not like ordinary natural phenomena. The thunder was so loud that it seemed as if the gods were fighting over the city, and the lightning flashed in bright shades, like multi-colored swords in the sky. The rain that poured from the dark clouds resembled something oily, creating a feeling of an unknown mystery. Rumors heard that blood was flowing from the sky, adding even more mystery to this show. 

Citizens were afraid to leave their cold concrete shelters, the only place they called home. The unknown and fear of the future threatened each of them. Knowing from past experience that such anomalies in the weather could portend new troubles, their hearts were filled with anxiety. A shadow of fear slowly enveloped all the locals, they felt that history could repeat itself, and this gave them a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety.

-----

Warm light burned in the office. It was quiet, only the rustle of turning pages broke the silence. He sat in a chair and silently leafed through an old book that had been in this place for a very long time. The text was handwritten, but each letter was written beautifully, which did not make it difficult to read at all

This was not just a book. These were notes from John's previous research. Everything had been scheduled by date since his father's time about a century ago. One of the entries interested him the most

Entry 17. Dark... Darker... Yet darker... The darkness continues to grow. The shadows are getting deeper... My next experiment looks very... Very interesting... Let's see what we can do."

†J.W.†

What happened in those years? What did he do? While reading the notes, the sense of time was completely lost.

-----

There were many flowers of various types growing around, from roses to asters. In this corner of nature, each flower radiated its own unique beauty and charm. The flowers shimmered with multi-colored shades, creating a stunning range of colors and smells. Bright red roses, delicate blue asters - they all harmoniously complemented each other, turning this place into a real paradise for the eyes and heart of any watcher.

Surrounded by this amazing garden, in a white dress of lightness and tenderness, a girl danced. Her gaze was full of delight and joy, as if she was immersed in the most wonderful moment of her life. The rhythm of a music box playing somewhere in the distance inspired her movements, and the smile did not leave her face, emitting a bright glow around her. The whole world for her was reduced to this moment, where she became one with music and nature. But in her peaceful immersion, she did not notice the mysterious guest, who was quietly and attentively watching her dance, as if drawn by the magic of her grace and beauty.

With his appearance, everything around became quiet and slowly plunged into darkness, as if the sun had set below the horizon and night had fallen. The girl stopped and looked around. And only now she saw her old friend. She looked him up and down curiously.

He came closer and wanted to touch her hand, but the wall of thorns did not allow him to do this, injuring him. he took a few steps back, covering the wound with his hand. 

"You arrived" she smiled "but..."

"Where are we?" Eclip looked around. Withered flowers inspired inhuman melancholy. He suddenly remembered his past and everything happened there.

"I do not know" she shrugged and looked around sadly "But you are still alive. But I am... Do not know"

She took a step back and all the flowers came back to life. But the sun never came out. It seemed to get even darker. A cold wind blew, lifting the petals into the air and carrying them away. The young man felt a strong cold like the ice grown inside.

Please just stay here with me

There far beyond the river

You can still hear my voice on the silent shores

Eclip heard these words in his head. He glanced at Abby, who was watching the petals fly away. Then she slowly turned to him. Her eyes were filled with tears and her voice sounded very sad.

"It's time for you to come back home, though I don't want  you to leave" she slowly knelt down and touched one of the flowers. At that moment he crumbled from her touch. "Something bad is about to happen"

"But... What is it...?"

The answer was silence, which was broken by another familiar voice. Hope's voice. She tried to wake him up. And she succeeded. The Hunter was worried because she could not find him, and he did not hear her call.

"Wh... What is happening?" Eclip asked slowly returning to reality. 

"There is something I wanna show you. Follow me" she left the room. Rising from chair, Eclip followed his friend.

They came to a huge window. Eclip saw how the city was covered with a blanket of either snow or ash. The sun never came out, and the cold was felt even inside the stone walls of the castle. The young man looked questioningly at the Hunter

"This is not just an ash, Eclip" Hope looked at him very serious. Then she showed him her hands. It was as if they were burned. "This ash burns. I could save myself, but the others..."

"I see." he sighed

Then Hope started to tell him about the whole situation in the Capital, but it seems, he didn't listen.

"Eclip? Are you listening?" she asked louder

"Huh? No, sorry" he replied barely hearable "By the way, where's Tyler?"

"He is sleeping" Hope replied looking aside. "No matter how I tried to wake him. He never wakes up. Just like you, but..."

"But what?"

"Somehow I could wake you up. What happened?"

"I... I saw her" he said shortly.

"What? Where?" The Hunter was surprised hearing it. She knew who Eclip was talking about.

"In a dream. Until you woke me... The was garden and Abby..."

-----

The sun no longer peeked out, forever hidden behind leaden clouds. The city is deserted, and it is unclear whether people of Xentaron are alive or not. There were no more festivals. There was only darkness and fear, growing with every second.

Eclip told Hope more about his dream. And that it's possible that Abby is in danger. The Hunter asked Eclip to take a look around again. Perhaps this is what their friend was talking about. Now, since strange things continue to happen, one thing has become clear: Abby warned about Xentaron, but...

What will happen next? How to stop the impending disaster? And what should they do next? No one knew. But Eclip understood one thing: it's time to act