The Great Slaughter

[Page 19]

"What portal?" I blurt out, curiosity getting the best of me. My heart is racing as I stare at the message. Abruptly, the message changed. The glowing runes moving and sorting themselves to other symbols. I reached for it again hesitantly, my fingers turning white.

"The Spirit Realm." The message made clear. This left me more confused than ever. What is the Spirit Realm? Where is this portal? That is to say this even exists.

My heart pounds as I try to make sense of it all. I've heard legends about another world, but it can't be true! The glowing runes flicker again, and I lean in closer, hoping for more answers.

Suddenly, the message resonates within me, gentle yet insistent.

"To find the portal, you must prove yourself rightful of my protection."

As the message settles in, a shiver runs down my spine. Rightful of protection? How do I even do that? I glance around at the ruined city, the silence deafening except for my own ragged breath.

The message continues, "Train yourself to a powerful mage, only then you will succeed." I stare blankly at the message. It took me a couple seconds to comprehend what it meant. "Sorcerer?" I question the runes.

"You think me a fool?" My voice grows louder, rage and absurdity grow inside me. What does this thing think I am, deceivable? Certainly, such thing as a mage don't exist. The runes flicker and stop glowing. It must be giving up on this little get-together.

Who is even sending this message anyway?

"Hello?" A voice says, interrupting my train of thought. I whip my head around and I see a woman. Somebody with a shirt too clean to be from this place. My eyebrows furrowed; I thought I was the only survivor. Unless she came from outside, but this city is too big for somebody to arrive this fast. She tilts her head, "hello?"

She's clearly trying to get a response out of me, what do I say?

"Who are you? -Page 33

"Where did you come from." -Page 20

"What do you want?"