Rising Ashes: Original

Snap Back

Clancy burst through the gates of Dema, the oppressive weight of the city falling behind them as he raced into the wilderness. He could feel Aimee’s body slumping in his arms, her consciousness flickering like a candle in the wind, but he pressed on, driven by adrenaline and the desperate need to get her to safety.

Finally, they reached Trench, the Banditos’ camp nestled among the trees. The night sky was alight with distant fires, the air heavy with tension as the Banditos assessed the chaos left in the wake of the glorious gone. Clancy’s heart sank as he took in the destruction—the remnants of the battle scattered across the ground, Banditos tending to their injured, the flickering shadows of doubt and fear crossing their faces.

Torch spotted them first, his eyes widening in disbelief as he hurried over. “Clancy! Aimee!” He stopped short, taking in the sight of Aimee, draped in the dark red robes of the Bishops. “Is she okay? What happened? Why is she wearing those robes?”

Clancy knelt to the ground, gently setting Aimee down in a safe spot, his gaze locked on her pale face. “She’s... I’ll explain everything when we get back to camp,” he said, his voice low but firm, as he glanced around at the gathered Banditos. “Right now, we need to make sure everyone is safe and regroup.”

Torch nodded, his expression serious. “We’ve got injured, but we’re managing. Let’s get her inside and figure out a plan.”

Clancy took a deep breath, glancing back at Aimee. He could see the faintest flicker of her spirit beneath the surface, the fight still lingering, even if it was buried deep. “We’ll figure this out,” he promised softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I won’t let them take you again.”

As the Banditos worked around them, Clancy felt a surge of determination. They had faced so much together, and now it was time to fight back against the Bishops and reclaim Aimee for herself.

Clancy rose to his feet, his heart heavy as he turned to Torch, who stood waiting for answers. The camp bustled with activity, but the moment felt suspended in time as he prepared to share the truth.

“Aimee was taken by the Bishops,” he began, his voice low, the weight of his words heavy. “They were using her to control the glorious gone, trying to turn her into one of them. I barely got her back. She… she’s not herself right now.”

Torch’s expression shifted from concern to understanding. “I knew there was something special about her. You were right to worry. The way she could control her powers—it’s not normal. They were probably grooming her to be one of them.”

Clancy clenched his fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I don’t want to hear it, Torch. We’re not doing this right now.” He took a step back, putting distance between them as he fought to keep his emotions in check. “All I care about is getting her back to normal.”

“Clancy,” Torch pressed, his tone serious. “This isn’t just about you and Aimee. The Bishops will come after her again. They’ll want their weapon back.”

Clancy shot him a fierce glare, shaking his head. “I don’t care about their plans. We’re not going to let them have her again. I’ll protect her. I won’t let them win.”

Torch’s gaze softened, the tension easing slightly. “I get it. I really do. But we need a plan. We can’t just hide her away and hope for the best. We need to find a way to break their hold on her.”

Clancy ran a hand through his hair, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. “I know,” he muttered, his voice a mix of defeat and determination. “But for now, let’s focus on getting Aimee stabilized. Then we’ll figure out what to do next.”