Ashes

Arch III. The Longest Road. Entry 7. Wake Me When It's Over

Eclip opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he saw was a gray, cloud-covered sky hanging over him like a heavy veil. He raised himself up on his elbows and looked around. The cemetery spread out before him, permeated with silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant ringing of bells.

The tombstones lined up in a row were covered in moss and lichen, giving them an old-fashioned look. Each stone was engraved with names, dates, and short inscriptions, but to Eclip, these inscriptions weren't just words - they were the names of those he had lost... and those he would lose.

He walked closer to one of the tombstones, which read in beautifully carved script: "Abby, savior, guardian... Angel... 2202-..." The second part of the date was erased. Eclip's heart sank, for he did not know if this was true or just another illusion created by the twisted imagination of the one who held him in a cage. Further on was another grave, this one bearing the name of the Hunter - Hope. She had died back in 2220, when the light went out.

Suddenly a cold wind touched his face, as if calling him to remember what had happened, and why he was here. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his grave. "Eclip. Savior... Follower. 2197-2221." But that simply couldn't be true. He had gone to the Empire of Steel that year to save Abby. Had he really died then? A bolt of lightning struck him, and he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his breathing quickened.

In an instant, it was as if the ground itself had betrayed him. Eclip felt the surface beneath his feet disappear. Before he could even comprehend what was happening, he found himself in free fall, plunging into the darkness of the abyss. Fear gripped him, and his heart began to beat as if it was ready to burst out of his chest.

There was absolute darkness all around, and only his thoughts were the only source of light in this endless space. "What is happening? Where am I falling?" - panic filled his mind, covering him like a wave. He felt like something was pulling him down, as if the abyss itself wanted to take possession of him.

Every second of falling seemed like an eternity. Thoughts swirled in his head that it wasn't supposed to end this way. He tried to find the strength to not let himself be so far from the light. But despair swallowed him whole. He closed his eyes, waiting for the abyss to swallow him whole.

The fall seemed endless, but soon a bright light shone from somewhere above where the sky had been. Something or someone was flying towards him. He stretched out his hand, trying to reach it. Soon the glow became more distinct, and he felt someone take his hand, and the familiar warmth seemed to drive away the bad thoughts.

It was Abby. She was like an angel descended from heaven, her purple hair fluttering as if in an invisible wind, and her eyes glowing with a gentle light that penetrated his soul. Her body was surrounded by strange translucent ribbons that seemed to be trying to help her.

"Eclip!" Her voice sounded like a melody, gently touching his ears. "I'm here! Don't let go of my hand." Her voice was full of confidence and strength. He felt a new wave of emotions flare up inside him - surprise, joy. As if someone from above heard his silent pleas and sent to save the one he loved and whom he wanted to see most.

The darkness around him began to dissipate, and the boy felt his fall slow down. The girl hugged him tightly and spread her angelic wings. They flew to where the morning sun arrives unbroken. Eclip felt his fears and doubts recede. In that moment, he understood: their connection was stronger than any attempt by the Darkness to separate them, and when the time came, light would fill the world, driving evil to a place from which it could never escape.

-----

They found themselves in a place that seemed to come out of a fairy tale, filled with magic and tenderness. It was a small garden, hidden from prying eyes, where time stops and every moment is filled with magic. It is buried in greenery, and flowers grow everywhere, which seemed to be created by the stars themselves. Their petals emit a soft light, reminiscent of fireflies that dance in the air, illuminating everything around.