Ashes

Arch IV. Let There Be Fire. Prologue. Who You Are

When you gain power, you never think about what will happen next. You hope until the very end that your life will become much better. But did you know that by gaining what you so desire, you still lose what is very dear to you? Maybe yes, maybe no. But what I have lost will sooner or later return to me - you think, standing by the window, looking at the evening city that you have already captured. Yes, you rule here now. But why are your people so unhappy? Why do they hope for your imminent death?

With this question you turn to the Timekeeper, who has become a prisoner in the Stargazers Tower. But why are you looking for answers so far away? What do you really want to know? And most importantly, will you get the answer you seek? She has been watching you since your birth, and only she decides what will happen to you next - you are sure of this more than ever. But what if even she could not stop the Darkness that you let into your soul many years ago? What will you do?

You think you fear nothing, but she knows everything. She knows what makes you human. She knows what you dread. You want so much to be free of it, but it gets closer and closer every day. Look closely at your precious city. What do you see? You see an approaching catastrophe, born far beyond our worlds. It is rapidly approaching you, destroying city after city, continent after continent. The catastrophe has already consumed one world, leaving one madman who wanted to gain power over everything around him. He got this power, but at what cost? Tell me, why, instead of uniting with the one who can truly help save this insignificant world, are you trying with all your might to kill her?

You once tried to take her from the Ghost (but why did you need the girl?). He was smart enough to refuse you, even though he sought your help. "All magic comes with a price" - such a law you created yourself. Then, when the Ghost went to The Far Side, you attacked the child he left behind. You allowed yourself to capture city after city, getting closer to her. You were so sure that she would give you the city without a fight. But, through unbearable pain and fear, she stood here and there. By locking you in the Middleworld with herself, she gave new life to her hometown. She returned what was long lost - magic. She gave the start to a new era.

You know, it was curious to know how you got out of the Middleworld. Was it an accident, or... A deal with someone who lost the chance to escape forever? Most likely the latter. After all, how much that boy wanted to go home. You used him for your own purposes, knowing how dangerous it was for both of you. He tried to deceive the one who came there on his own. But, no matter how tragic it was, the young Dragon, having learned his true intentions, made a difficult decision on which many lives depended. He saved many lives, even if at the cost of the life of the one whose love his heart breathes with.

But what is so important about this Dragon to you specifically, tell me? He is just a boy without a home or a title. His Father told him never to return home when he learned the truth. But if he wanted to use his soul to stop the disaster, then what do you need him for? I doubt that for the same purpose, knowing that when he became one of your followers, the disaster entered our world across the very fine line that the Sentinels tried so hard to maintain. The balance was broken when he allowed you to defeat him. But he broke his own promise, and he does not yet know how much pain it will be for Her when she finds out. Tell me, did you keep your word to him? Did you give the girl freedom? No, you did not. You made another man do it. But the Creation will return home. Through pain and suffering, she will return.

Tell me, where are Malphas and Alû? They were last heard from in the Empire of Steel. But where are they now? Dead? On a mission? Or maybe... They both never existed? No. One of them definitely exists, and he travels with the Last Scarlet Dragon. And he is not alone... This world has felt an incredible destructive force. That being that came to the House of the Rising Sun... That being was not created by you, no. It... It is terrifying. Will you allow it to continue to destroy this place? Or is it the very same catastrophe that came from another world?

You're trembling. Are you scared? Oh, you're scared, and that's wonderful. It means there's something human left in you, from the boy you destroyed, taking his body... and his name. You want so badly to get rid of this feeling, but you can't, and it infuriates you. I know how much you want to feel nothing, but something is beating in your chest. Not your heart, no. But what is it? What happened that made you so often show mercy and kindness to others? I don't know the answer either.

What about the Hunter? Tell me, do you know where she is? No, you don't. And you never will, because you don't even care about those who serve you. Don't look at me like that. I know you want me to shut up. But I am you in the past. I am what you are avoiding. You know who I am. Ahriman. My soul is not trying to break free, no. I have chosen the path of Darkness consciously. But what you are doing... Whose side are you really fighting for? You want to get rid of an innocent girl, but at the same time you are trying to save this mortal world. You torture an innocent Dragon, but at the same time you allow him to see the one you are trying to get rid of. Tell me, what if... He betrays you? What will you do then? The truth is... They cannot betray you, because then you will absorb them. To be trapped in your own mind, losing control of your own body... It's worse than death.

You know, I want to watch what happens next. The spark has already flared up. And from the spark a flame will flare up, carrying everything along with it. And in this flame we will meet our destiny.