Ashes

Arch II. Empire of Steel. Legend 12. Choose

Cassie burst into the garden, looking ready to fight, but when she saw Abby there, she began to speak.

"My Mistress, your Father wishes to see you and your friend."

"He said why?" Abby looked at Cassie incredulously, holding her hand out to the side, stopping Eclip.

"Um... No. He said to bring you," the girl was a little confused.

"Speak the truth, demon," Abby's voice was loud, and the tips of her hair flashed brightly.

"Yes, Mistress," she bowed. "Sankh sent me to you. He wishes to see Eclip and wants to know why he needs Elini."

"Elini? What the...? Eclip?" She turned to her friend. "Is there something I don't know? Or is there something you haven't told me?"

"I... Uh..." he thought for a moment. "No, it's just..."

"Just what? Do you realize how big the tragedy would, if you kidnap her?"

"I don't... Listen to me already!" he shouted unexpectedly. "I didn't plan to kidnap anyone. I don't think that..."

"Sankh will kill you if you do that?" Cassie interjected. "No, he won't kill you. But do you want to spend your eternity in cells deep beneath the Empire?"

"I don't quite understand. What are dungeons then?"

"The dungeons still give you some chance for freedom, you just lose your second chance," she sighed. "It's easier for me to explain it visually."

A staff appeared in her hand. With this staff she drew a triangle and divided it into several parts.

So, the top was Heaven. That's what ordinary people used to call this place. Only the purest souls could get here. It is here that souls actually get a second chance. Very rarely, The Ghost gave it.

The next part of this triangle was the world of the living. The name speaks for itself. And it is from here that Nox takes those who no longer have a place on earth.

Next comes the Empire of Steel. Guilty and innocent souls come here. Nox does the Masquerade of Oblivion to help them forget all the pain of the living world. By the decision of The Ghost, the souls remain here.

The next place was the dungeons. Sankh rules them. At the will of The Ghost, he can hold souls captive. Many languish here to this day. The Ghost gives no orders about them. It seemed that he simply forgot about them. Having been here, souls do not even dare to dream of a second chance.

The Crystal Prison is the absolute end of any adventure for any soul. They spend the rest of their eternity here, tormented by guilt and the pain of those they have harmed. Those who filled their hearts with darkness (in every sense. And did you think His followers are immortal?) are sent here. He who seeks people for himself does not know where their path ends.

"Well, something like that," Cassie breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like she'd been waiting her whole life to tell this story to someone.

"I think I understand where I'll end up after I die. Considering how big my sin is, if I'm here."

"Not at all," the girl shook her head. "Dragons are immortal. Don't look at me like that!" she exclaimed, catching his surprised look. "You won't die, but Abby..."

Cassie realized that her friend had been silent for a long time. The realization that she was not there at all scared them seriously.

"Lost someone?" Dean's voice came from next to their. Cassie immediately pounced on him, knocking him to the ground and stomping her heavy boot on his chest. He continued, trying to breathe. "I swear it wasn't me! If... If I wanted to kidnap her, I would have done it a long time ago. I wanted to talk."