Ashen Light

Chapter 23: Grain of Sand

The streets of Luggate were alive with the clamor of voices, clinking metal, and the occasional bark of a merchant hawking their wares. The desert city was a patchwork of sandstone buildings, metal scaffolding, and sun-bleached canopies, its architecture a testament to the ingenuity of those who had made a home in the unrelenting Solis Dunes.

"Alright," Skylar said, swinging her satchel over her shoulder. "I'm not passing up the chance to stock up on some more of those desert rations they have here. Zack, keep Astro out of trouble, will you?"

Zack raised a brow. "Me? Why do I always get babysitting duty?"

Astro tilted his head. "I'm not a baby."

Skylar smirked. "You're just... prone to wandering off. Stay close, alright?"

Astro pouted, his dark blue eyes darting toward a nearby stall filled with gears and mechanical trinkets. "I'm a deity, I don't need babysitting..." He grumbled, though immediately picked up a metal watch and inspected it with interest.

Cyrus stood a little apart from the group, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his blade. The noise of the city felt distant, muffled by his thoughts. He glanced down an alley where the shadows seemed just a little darker, lingering like whispers he couldn't quite hear.

Skylar nudged him as she passed. "You staying here, or are you going to brood somewhere quieter?"

He shook his head, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "I'll look around. Meet back here at dusk?"

"Deal."

As Skylar disappeared into the crowd, Zack and Astro trailed after her, bickering over the difference between babysitting and "responsible companionship." Cyrus lingered, his gaze fixed on the alley for a moment longer before he turned away, shaking off the feeling.

The city's energy was different from the places they'd passed before—bustling, alive, but somehow heavy. Luggate thrived on trade, ingenuity, and survival, but it felt like a city holding its breath.

Cyrus made his way down the main thoroughfare, weaving through merchants calling out deals and desert travelers bartering for supplies. The blade at his side earned him a few curious glances, but no one approached. He found himself heading toward the quieter outskirts, where the hum of the city faded into the whispers of the desert wind.

He stopped at a shaded alcove overlooking the city's edge, the sprawling sands stretching endlessly beyond its walls. The distant dunes rolled like waves frozen in time, their golden hue tinged with the pinks and purples of the approaching sunset.

For a brief moment, the world felt still.

Admiring the view, or are you brooding again, little boy?

Ryu-Kishyn's voice echoed in his mind, low and mocking.

Cyrus ignored him, taking a deep breath.

Oh, don't give me the silent treatment. You know it doesn't work. Besides, shouldn't you be more worried?  You seem to make as many enemies as you do friends, after all.

Cyrus's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. "What do you want?" he muttered under his breath.

The same thing you want, the demon purred. Don't you want a better world? One where purity is not some rare relic anymore? Not like it matters anyway... The world is waking up, Cyrus Constel. Your gods' pretty little game is crumbling, and soon—

"Shut up," Cyrus hissed, his voice barely audible.

Ryu-Kishyn chuckled but fell silent.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Cyrus from his thoughts. He turned to see Skylar, a half-empty satchel slung over her shoulder, giving him a knowing look.

"You look like you just had an argument with yourself," she said, tilting her head. "Everything alright? You winning?"

"Just thinking," Cyrus replied.

Skylar leaned against the wall beside him, her expression unreadable. "You're a strange guy. Like really strange."

Cyrus gave her a sidelong glance. "Who says I'm not?"

She shrugged. "No one, don't worry."

Before Cyrus could respond, Zack and Astro appeared, the latter clutching a small bundle of mechanical parts with childlike glee.

"Look what I found!" Astro beamed, holding up a small, intricate gear assembly. "It's for a clock! I think I can—"

"Fix it? Build a whole clock from scratch? Bring time itself under your command?" Zack teased.

Astro frowned. "Maybe... Time travel is very possible." He looked thoughtfully at the clock.

Skylar pushed off the wall. "Alright, alright. Let's head back to the inn. I could use a drink and a moment to sit."

As they started back toward the heart of the city, Cyrus lagged behind, his gaze flicking toward the horizon one last time. The feeling of being watched hadn't left him, and neither had Ryu-Kishyn's words.

Cyrusssssss~ Ryu-Kishyn said slowly, endearingly. How long until they know you for what you are Cyrusss~? A murderer, a monster-

Shut the fuck up.

{{A/N: Very short chapter, just getting back into writing it all, sorry}}