Ashes

Arch II. Empire of Steel. Legend 2. Decision

When all is calm in the world, there is a dead silence on Xentaron. People fell into a deep sleep, for long reunited with those they had lost. It seemed like it was the end for the city

But not everyone in the city was asleep. There were two who were not affected by this curse. Eclip stood silently at the large window. The silence of the city was driving him crazy. He did not understand what caused the new catastrophe. But he knew that the city needed to be saved. Again. Hope entered the room.

"Three days have passed" she said standing next to him. Her voice sounded calmly, but even with that Eclip could hear that his friend was worried. "You haven't eaten for so long"

"I am fine" he replied watching the city. 

"No you're not. And you perfectly understand that, but continue denying it" Hope put her arm on his shoulder trying to catch his attention.

"So what can we do then? Wait till they all die?" Eclip looked at Hope.

"Not really" she smiled. "I remember the legend my mother told me. It was about Delamerian gods that..."

"Delamerian gods?" Eclip never heard of them before. "Who are they?"

"...that might be the reason of this catastrophe" she finished what she wanted to say, and there was a sphere appeared in her hand

----

Delamere

Year ????

A prosperous city. The gods descended here for the first time after the War. The Goddess of thunderstorms, Sigrid, as leader, brought her allies into the human world. She believed that she could change this place and create a new world. A world without troubles and suffering. And so it was. Until an intruder appeared among the gods themselves. 

Hermes. That's what he called himself. He was Sigrid's ally from the very beginning, but his plans were completely different. He wanted to overthrow the Goddess of thunderstorms and rule the city on his own, believing that he would be a wise ruler. In those same years, one of the allies, Sankh, descended into the world of shadows. There he created his Empire. Empire of Steel. There he, with Sigrid's permission, allowed the souls of the dead to live in peace.

But one thing did not give Sankh peace. He was lonely in the Empire. And he desired Uma's daughter, Elini. He didn't know how to get to her and bring her here. Then he turned to Hermes, who often watched people in those years. Sankh understood that the young god could find a solution

And a solution was found. When Elini was walking in the Delamere gardens, she saw how, among ordinary plants, a flower made of crystals shimmered in different shades. The girl came closer and, as soon as her hand touched the petals, she was enveloped in black smoke, taking her to the Empire of Steel forever.

Upon learning of this, Uma lost her mind and covered Delamere with a blanket of eternal snow. People began to survive as best they could. And when the goddess found out who was behind the kidnapping, she herself turned to Hermes, wanting to know the truth, whether he participated in the Sankh plan or not. The answer was obvious.

A trial took place, at which all the gods were present. Sankh did not show up. The souls of the dead needed peace. But he couldn't leave Nox. The girl already had a lot of work. Like a wise lady, Sigrid listened to both sides. Then a difficult decision was made. Hermes must leave the world of the living.

They didn't kill him, no. He was locked in the Empire of Steel with no way to return. Almost. The only condition under which he could truly return was to help a living soul achieve their goal. But where does a living soul come from in the world of the dead? Nobody knew the answer to this question.

Thus, Hermes became the first living prisoner in the Empire of Steel. He saw everything. From Sankh to the Ghost, who, by the will of the gods, became the new ruler. Sankh began to rule a separate part of the Empire, completely submitting to the new laws.

There are rumors that the young god is still waiting for a living soul to come to the Empire and do everything possible to achieve his goal

-----

"So... It means that Sankh really existed...?" Eclip looked at Hope. 

"Yes. And Rene too. But stories about them have long become just myths, the veracity of which only a child can believe. I can't tell you for sure whether I saw any of them there in the Empire. Memories of her are still blurry..." she tried to remember, but it was all in vain. Then she looked at the young man, who was clearly thinking about something. She began to get nervous. She asked loudly "Are you listening? What came to your mind?"

"What if this curse on Xentaron is the result of Uma's grief? Maybe her despair and anger have reached us too? Is there any news from other cities? From Thais, for example?"

"I haven't received any news... What are you up to?" seeing a familiar spark in his eyes, she asked

"I am going to the Empire of Steel" he smiled.

"What? What for?" Hope's voice almost broke into a scream

"I feel... She is there and... If I can, then... Then I will bring the city back to life. Hope, that's a great plan. In life you need to be the one who can turn the road around, and correct the plot"

"That's an awful plan! Eclip, listen. I don't know how you know she's there. But... I won't let you go there. Not this way..." she looked aside realizing what she just said.

And it really is. There were several paths to the Empire of Steel. One of them is the Endless River. Hope said that the Endless River is located in the forest near Thais. Next to the river is a Church. It is unknown whether its inhabitants are alive, knowing that the Darkness was forever locked in the Middleworld. 

This river has no beginning and no end. It does not flow into any sea or ocean. You'll know you've found it when you hear a murmur that's reminiscent of the lullabies your mother once sang to you. You will understand that you have found it when you feel the hellish cold inside. And you have only one thing left: to go up. When the time comes, the entrance to the Empire will appear in front of you. And if you're really ready, the door has been opened.

-----

Hope tries in every possible way to dissuade him, because the journey to the Empire of Steel is a one-way journey. There is an entrance there, but there is no exit. And many call this place... Middleworld. The girl also warns that if the Empire finds out that a living soul has come to them, they will try to fix it.

The only one who can possibly help is the Ghost. Eclip understood this very well, but he also knew that something needed to be done.And so the decision was made.

"Is it difficult to accomplish the impossible?" the boy thought to himself. "Soon the world will know the answer!"