Illusion of Safety // DreamNotFound

Prologue (+A/N)

     A foreword before you continue. This book contains content that may be triggering to certain audiences, ranging from strong language to character death. Read the description for more details. Please proceed with caution, but enjoy.

     This chapter will be shorter than those to follow since it's only the intro. Please enjoy my original idea.

-Calamitous

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     Torchlight flickered, shadows darting between the unsteady crevices of the walls. Drawn curtains created the impression of a chamber much cozier than it was. The plush carpet and cold stone of the floor had not been disturbed by outside forces in decades, save for directly within the doorway, where a lone man stood guard.

     His job, as unpopular as it was amongst the ranks, was of the utmost importance. Locked within this chamber, so dreary and fantastical, was Thaeri's most valuable artifact, and his sole reason for being there. The ever-changing world didn't touch this room, remaining as stagnant as the eternal mountains.

     Dawn crept closer at a snail's pace, meaning he wouldn't be able to quell his mind's nagging urge to rest for another agonizing few hours. Yawning, the sound bounced between the walls to the end of the chamber, where a hatch in the ceiling groaned. He raised an eyebrow, unfamiliar with that sound. It didn't linger long on his mind, he knew it had been sealed shut permanently during construction.

     The noise didn't cease, however, and he leaned forward. A sudden bang on the roof caused the guard to jump in his skin. Three more consecutive bangs sounded, before it retreated indefinitely. Letting himself relax was his first mistake.

     His second was assuming the seal would hold when the banging returned tenfold. Suddenly, with a sound like nails on a chalkboard, the hatch was ripped from the ceiling. The guard was hit all at once, crumpling to the floor before he could call for help.

     Sunlight engulfed his senses, burning through his eyelids until sheer white was all that was left. Nothing existed in that moment, nothing besides the light and his pathetic self. He extended an arm to grasp for something, anything, but he found no purchase. Sword kicked aside, hands feeling for an escape, helplessness shot through the guard's veins.

     Hearty and sick, a laugh met his ringing ears. At last, his body granted him mercy, and he slipped into unconsciousness.