Broken crystal

Echoes of the Past, Shadows of War

KAY'S POV

The ancient research lab was a labyrinth of decaying walls and eerie silence, each step forward feeling like a descent into forgotten history. For the past year, our enclave had been growing stronger, a beacon of hope in an increasingly hostile world. Yet, despite our progress, the weight of past losses hung heavily on my shoulders, none more so than the supposed death of Alce.

Alce. The name itself brought a surge of emotions I struggled to contain. She had been everything to me-my rock, my confidante, my closest friend. When she was torn apart right before my eyes, the grief and helplessness I felt were almost too much to bear. Even now, a year later, the memory of her sacrifice haunted me, driving me to push harder, to train longer, to be stronger. It was the only way I could cope with the gaping hole her absence had left in my life.

Kiri's voice crackled in my earpiece, bringing me back to the present. His concern was palpable, and it grated on me. "Kay, stay focused. We don't know what traps or creatures might be lurking. Don't be too curious.""I hear you, Kiri. We're being careful," I replied, trying to keep my irritation in check. For weeks now, Kiri had been treating me like a fragile relic. It was frustrating beyond measure. I knew he meant well, but I needed to be trusted, not coddled.After everything that happened to Alce...after a month or so I told him that it will be good to forget about our marriage for a while, he made quite a funny and confused face and suggested that dating should come first and then it clicked in me that I forgot about that step... totally.

Our flashlights danced over the walls, revealing the remnants of a bygone era. Ancient technology, long-forgotten experiments, and rows of dusty shelves filled with brittle scrolls. As I carefully picked up one of the scrolls, the faded text began to reveal its secrets. "Guys, these scrolls... they describe a war between demons and gods. It's said to have unleashed a wave of energy that gave us our powers."I barely had time to process this revelation when a low, menacing growl echoed through the lab.

My heart skipped a beat, and cold fear gripped me. From the shadows emerged a grotesque creature, its eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. In an instant, it lunged at one of my teammates, devouring them whole in a gruesome display."Fall back! Everyone, fall back!" I shouted, my voice tight with panic.

My team scrambled to retreat, but the creature was relentless, tearing through our ranks with savage ferocity. Limbs were ripped apart, and screams filled the air as the monster feasted on them like prey.I was paralyzed, watching helplessly as the scene unfolded. Just as the creature turned its attention to me, ready to pounce, a blur of blonde hair streaked past. My heart nearly stopped. It couldn't be. Alce.

She was alive.She moved with a fierce determination, launching a powerful attack that sent the creature sprawling. Her blow was so forceful that the ceiling above us gave way, and sunlight poured into the room. The light struck the creature, causing it to writhe and burn, its flesh sizzling under the intense heat.

For a moment, everything else faded away. Alce stood before me, not a ghost, but alive and well. My mind struggled to comprehend what my eyes were seeing. How was this possible? How could she be here, now, after all this time?In the chaos, a projector flickered to life, casting an image onto the wall.

The Overseer, our enigmatic leader, appeared. His expression was one of grim resolve though we were only able to see his mouth the other half was covered in darkness ,as he delivered a message that echoed through the lab: a declaration of war."The time has come to reclaim what is rightfully ours. We stand on the brink of a new era, one where we will harness the power bestowed upon us to vanquish our enemies and secure our future. The war is upon us, and we must be prepared to fight."The Overseer's words sank in, but my focus was on Alce.