The Ashen Rebellion

07 | A helplessness

NYSSA WOKE TO THE dim light filtering through the small, grime-covered window of her room. The space was scarcely more than a cell—four stone walls, a narrow cot, and a rickety wooden chair. The air was thick with the smell of dampness and mildew, and the only sound was the distant murmur of voices and the occasional clatter of activity from the camp outside.

As she sat up, the weight of her isolation pressed down on her. The monotony of her surroundings mirrored the monotony of her days. She felt trapped, both physically and mentally, and the memory of the dream about the Crystal of Eternity gnawed at the edges of her mind. She couldn't shake the image of the glowing crystal and the Guardian's ominous words.

Her thoughts drifted to Jaxon, her brother, who was now a prisoner of the Firelord's forces. The guilt and worry she felt were almost unbearable. She replayed their last moments together, the fear in his eyes, the desperation in her own. Her determination to save him was a fire that refused to be extinguished, even by the cold stone walls that surrounded her.

Later that morning, the door creaked open, and Lyra stepped in, carrying a wooden tray. The meal was simple—stew with chunks of unidentifiable meat, a piece of stale bread, and a small jug of water. Lyra placed the tray on the small table and hesitated, trying to catch Nyssa's eye.

''Hey,'' Lyra said softly, her voice tentative. ''I brought you some food. How are you holding up?''

Nyssa barely looked up, her mind still tangled in thoughts of Jaxon and the dream. ''I'm fine,'' She replied curtly, not meeting Lyra's gaze.

Lyra shifted uncomfortably, clearly wanting to say more but unsure how to bridge the gap. ''If you need anything, just let me know, okay?''

Nyssa nodded absently, her attention already drifting back to her own thoughts. The pain from her recent battles lingered, a constant reminder of her physical and emotional exhaustion. She touched the bandages on her arm and winced. The wounds were healing, but the process was slow and painful.

The second day began much like the first. Nyssa awoke to the same dim light and the same oppressive silence. She lay still for a long time, her mind drifting back to her life before the rebellion. She remembered the quiet moments with Jaxon, the way he used to laugh even in the face of danger, and the nights they spent hiding from the Firelord's soldiers.

Flashbacks of their narrow escapes and the constant fear they lived in played out in her mind. She saw Jaxon's face, smiling despite the hardships, and her heart ached with the loss. They had faced so much together, and now she was alone, confined to this small room while he was out there somewhere, a prisoner.

The door opened again, and Lyra entered with another meal. This time, it was a bowl of porridge, thin and watery, with a few scraps of dried meat. She set it down and glanced at Nyssa, her expression concerned.

''How are you feeling today?'' Lyra asked, trying to sound cheerful.

Nyssa shrugged, not wanting to engage. ''Same as yesterday.''

Lyra sighed, pulling up the chair to sit down. ''I thought I'd tell you a bit about the camp. Maybe it'll help you feel more connected.''

Nyssa remained silent, but she listened as Lyra spoke.

''There are a lot of good people here,'' Lyra began. ''Everyone has their own story, their own reasons for fighting. Take Arjun, for example. He used to be a blacksmith before the Firelord's soldiers destroyed his village. Now, he makes weapons for us. And then there's Mara, she was a healer in her town before it was burned to the ground. She's saved countless lives here."

Nyssa nodded slightly, appreciating the effort but still feeling detached. ''That's... nice to know.''

Lyra smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. ''We're all in this together, Nyssa. I hope you'll come to see that.''

After Lyra left, Nyssa felt a surge of restlessness. She paced the room, her mind racing. The walls seemed to close in on her, and the air felt thick and suffocating. She dropped to the floor and began doing basic exercises—push-ups, sit-ups, anything to burn off the anxious energy.

As night fell, she lay on her cot, staring at the ceiling. Sleep came fitfully, bringing with it another unsettling dream.

She found herself in a vast, ancient forest, the trees towering high above her. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, and the sounds of wildlife filled the air. Ahead of her was a cave, its entrance guarded by wild creatures with glowing eyes. The atmosphere was heavy with an otherworldly presence.

The Guardian's voice echoed through the forest, resonant and deep. ''The Crystal of Eternity lies within this cave. It is protected by the guardians of the wild. The journey to retrieve it will be long, draining, and fraught with danger.''

Nyssa shook her head, trying to deny the reality of what she was experiencing. ''This isn't real. It's just a dream.''

The Guardian's tone grew sharper, irritated by her denial. ''This is no mere dream, Nyssa. Your destiny is intertwined with the crystal. You must retrieve it to fulfill your purpose.''

She pinched herself, trying to wake up, but nothing changed. ''I don't believe you. This is all in my head.''

''Suit yourself then,'' the Guardian said, again. And with a wave of its hand, the forest dissolved around her.

Nyssa found herself in a dark, oppressive landscape. The air was cold and heavy, and an eerie silence pervaded the space. Shadows flickered at the edges of her vision, and an ominous feeling crept over her. She heard a distant growl, deep and menacing, and felt the ground tremble beneath her feet.

Panic set in as she realized she was being hunted. The growls grew louder, closer, and she broke into a run. The ground was uneven, and twisted roots and rocks threatened to trip her at every step. She glanced back and saw a hulking shadow gaining on her, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light.

Desperation fueled her steps, but no matter how fast she ran, the creature closed in. The landscape became more treacherous, and she found herself at the edge of a cliff. She skidded to a halt, her breath coming in ragged gasps, the creature's growls echoing in her ears.

With nowhere to go, she turned to face the monster, but her foot slipped on the loose gravel, and she tumbled over the edge. The sensation of falling was terrifying and endless, the wind roaring in her ears.

Nyssa woke up screaming, drenched in sweat and tangled in her blankets. Her heart raced, and she struggled to catch her breath, the terror of the dream still gripping her. She sat up, clutching her knees to her chest, trying to calm herself.

The room was silent and still, but the echoes of the dream lingered. She knew she couldn't ignore the warning any longer. The Crystal of Eternity awaited, and her journey was far from over.