New Dawn

To the capital

Ailen poked the burning log. For the theif not much had changed, yesterday he was running from some crooks, now he was running from monsters. He had taken refuge inside an old smuggling tunnel, it once was used for pirates to move things out to sea, now it was home to addicts of valloja. Tonight the tunnel was empty, except for Ailen and the guard he saved. The poison he dosed her with wore off hours before. Ailen knew she was faking her sleep, probably trying to trying to find the right time to escape. He tore off a piece of the rabbit he was eating.
"If you're gonna pretend to be asleep make sure you don't go opening your eyes," he said calmly
The young guard sat up slowly.
"You knew?"
Ailen let out a humph.
"Kid I made the poison, and I saw you flash open your eyes several times,"
He tossed her the rabbit meat.
"Here," he said sheepishly
The girl caught it.
"What if it's poisoned!" She said examining the piece.
Ailen laughed.
"Don't eat, what do I care."
The girl took another look at the meat then bit into it. Her eyes lit up and she scarfed it down.
"Where are we?" She said throwing the bone to the side
"Old smugglers tunnel. The city guard wouldn't know about that though... We are about 5-6 miles away from the wall."
The girls eyes widened. Then she held up her fists and took a fighting stance.
"You plan to do strange things too me?"
Ailen let out a sigh.
"No... I don't think you understand what's going on,"
The young soldier looked confused.
"Why are we here then sir?" She still was defensive
"You and I wear fighting, I poisoned you. After this out of oblivion some sort of ash creatures appeared and they could not be killed. So I somehow managed to escape the city using a hidden exit. After dropping you here I went back to inspect the city, the creatures had either killed, burned, or eaten every living being in sight."
The guard laughed.
"You expect me to believe that? Where are we really, I demand you let me leave!"
Ailen knew there was no convincing the girl without showing her. He handed her the spear, he put out the fire and motioned for her to follow.
"The creatures are less powerful during day light, meaning we can out run them. I'll show you the new world,"

Sunlight poured over Ailen's face as they exited the tunnel. After walking for a while they reached what was left of the town. The front gate had been broken down from the inside out, and various holes littered around the wall as if there was a mass exodus.
"I told you everyone died quickly,"
The girl took off running.
"Hey wait!" Ailen said as he took off after.
He followed her through the burned out streets and buildings. As they ventured deeper into the town there were a few people packing and trying to get out of the town. She went up to a small building and threw open the door.
"Kale?! Lilly?!  Lilly, Kale are you in here?"
A small child poked out of a closet
"Cora?" A small shaky voice called out
The guard started to cry.
"Thank the heroes your safe. Where is your brother?"
The girl looked at the ground.
"Big brother said he was going to save me from the monsters. After that he said to not open the door except for you or him."
Ailen wandered around the small room then he took a peek in what appeared to be the bedroom. There was the body of a young mage sprawled out on the floor, the kid must have been younger then 12 years old. Probably just learned to control some magic. Ailen quietly moved passed the body and grabbed a sheet from the bed.
He kneeled down and closed the boys eyes. He grabbed the staff and laid it across the child's chest. He then exited the room. The guard was standing there before him.
"Find something to steal?" She asked accusingly
Ailen couldn't bring himself to tell her what he had just done.
"There is nothing in there, you must not go in there," he said
The guard scoffed.
"This is my house! I will go where I please!"
"Listen kid you can't," he tried again more forcefully
She began pushing against him.
"What is in there?! Is Kale in there? Kale! Come out here!"
Ailen decided to make it clear.
"Kale can't come out of there. Not now, not ever,"
The girl's tone dropped. Being a soldier she knew what that meant.
"I need to bury him,"
Ailen knew this look on people. The moment that they would abandon their humanity to do something. He couldn't let her out and put family member in the ground.
"No. I'll do it. You stay here."
"NO" She shouted
Ailen turned to the little girl.
"Listen, I am a friend of your sisters. Can you do me a favor and hug her really tight?"
The little girl having no understanding of the situation nodded and clinged on to the guard who was begging to bawl. Ailen went back to the body he covered and scooped up the lifeless being, and carried him outside.

"I swear Kale I will kill all the monsters that caused you heart harm!" Cora said driving her fist against the rock that served as a tombstone.
She stood up and went back into the house. Ailen followed her trying to keep his distance. She began packing what little belongings she had.
"Where are you going?" Ailen asked
"I am a soldier someone needs to warn the capital,"
This girl was out of control, further into the Lions den? From what he could tell the creatures had spawned all over the country, and a few of the islands. He wanted to leave and live on a remote island.
"You'll die,"
Cora let out a humph,
"I'll die anyway,"
"What about your sister,"
"She is coming too. If anywhere is equipped to survive this then it is the capital,"
Ailen thought for a moment. This was a truth, the capital had a higher survivability chance then this shanty island town.
"Fine then. I didn't save you for nothing, I am coming,"
"No you're not,"
"Yes I am! We are off to the capital!"