Calamity: A Ballad of Ash

Chapter 2: Calamitas

Deep within the core of Terraria lies a hellish frontier, left eternally scorched since the land's premature creation. Ash and smut clogged the air, while its heat could make even the most haughty of gods swelter. It dormed many of the land's darkest demons, their wails becoming commonplace. Ironically, it was here where civilization was first conceived, during the dawn of the draconic era.

They call it Azafure, the first city.

Despite its supposed successors, Azafure's walls stood longer than all ensuing cities, its people proliferating as it slowly turned into a great industry. With fumes from its forges seeping through the ceiling of the underworld, its people found fortune in the flame, and prospered.

At the edge of this great capital however lies a broken residence, housing three orphaned siblings. The youngest was but a girl, with coarse white hair and dullish gray skin. She wore dusted robes as she sat in their balmy home, quietly twiddling her fingers. "I hope Catastrophe is safe," Calamitas started. "It's unusual for him to undertake such prolonged work."

Adjacent from Calamitas sat her hardy brother Cataclysm, the eldest child of the household. He let out a fatuous laugh, gabbing with a lukewarm tone. "Why do you speak of him as though he's a novice? Have you forgotten who puts your food on a plate?"

"No, you halfwit," Calamitas replied harshly. "I simply care about our elder brothers' well being, something you too should consider."

"He'll be fine," Cataclysm said confidently. "Just let him bloody his hands, you know well that he carries out his deeds properly."

"More like disposes of them properly..."

As his sister wore an irritated face, Cataclysm let out a tiresome sigh, slowly covering his scarlet eyes with his hands. He had a strapping body and unkempt white hair, whilst his clothes were bulky and dark red in color. He was renowned as the greatest brawler that the city's streets could offer. But as much pride as he took in his prowess as a ruffian, it was the protection of his siblings he wished to use such strength for, especially his younger sister.

Finally Cataclysm pulled his hands away from his face, speaking in a more somber tone. "He'll be home any minute, try not to dwell too much on it." Calamitas slowly began to nod her head as a feeling of reassurance overcame her.

Then suddenly, the sound of a creaking door slowly emerged, with the smell of brimstone hitting the nostrils of the two siblings. A small grin appeared on Cataclysm's face as he spoke monotonously. "Speak of the devil."

As the door hit loudly against the wall, the figure of Catastrophe took form, his bloodied sword still in hand. Calamitas jumped from her chair, beaming with relief. "Thank goodness you're safe, Catastrophe!"

"You talk with such enthusiasm sister, as if I'm an amateur." Catastrophe said with a confused voice. "But... I'm glad to be held in your thoughts."

"You've been in my thoughts too, brother." Cataclysm started in a more playful tone. "I've been worried sick about those bones of yours, it's as if you've never lifted a dead weight in your life!"

Catastrophe side eyed his brother, letting out a snort before rattling on. "I appreciate your deep concern brother, but thankfully my frailness does not take away from my skill with a blade. It is far more graceful than bruising a man to a pulp as you do."

A slight grin formed on Cataclysm's face as they exchanged short chuckles. Catastrophe was much slimmer than his burly brother, with shorter arms but longer legs. His skin was also dull in color, but unlike his siblings he had loose red hair.

Catastrophe slowly but surely made his way towards their kitchen sink, pulling out a piece of cloth from his pocket before wetting it well. He began to run the drenched cloth across his sword to clean the blood off its edges, the silver glean that hid under the blood at long last revealing itself. He quickly grabbed a separate clean rag, drying the sword and ensuring it was still sharp. Soon after he reached into their old wooden cabinet, grabbing a half empty bottle of fire imp oil and coating his blade in it.