A yawn escaped me as I adjusted my cloak against the morning chill.
Behind me, Henry trudged along at a snail's pace, dragging his boots through the wet cobblestone like a man already defeated.
"Whyyy did we have to get up so earlyyyy…" he groaned, head tilted back dramatically.
I smirked and glanced over my shoulder. "What happened to that 'let's get an early start and enjoy the spoils of our work' speech you gave last night?"
"I was a fool for believing in morning optimism…" he muttered, eyes half-closed.
Ella, by contrast, was practically glowing. She bounced ahead of us on the balls of her feet, practically humming with energy. "This is perfect! Early morning, fresh air, new powers. Today's going to be amazing!"
"Someone's had too much sunshine," Henry grumbled.
Or moonlight, I added internally.
As the guild came into view, the city around us began to stir. Merchants rolled carts into place, and a few adventurers passed us on their way out.
Stepping into the guild's main hall, I was greeted by the familiar scent of breakfast being served. The place was already buzzing with activity as people shuffled about, filling the space with chatter.
At the front desk, Benjamin stepped forward and carefully handed over his finished star map. The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with tidy braids, gave it a quick glance before nodding approvingly.
"This will be reviewed by the client shortly," she said. "You should expect payment within the week."
"Appreciate it," Benjamin replied with a tired smile.
Before anyone could say another word, Ella bolted across the hall.
"Quest board!" she shouted, skidding to a stop in front of the wall of postings, eyes darting rapidly between flyers, her fingers practically twitching with excitement. "Okay, okay–we have to do this one. And this one! Oooh, and this one too!"
Amelia raised a brow. "How many are you planning to drag us into?"
Ella turned around, arms full of quest slips, beaming like a kid who'd just looted a candy shop. "Just a few! Promise! Look, they're all extermination missions. Quick and easy!"
Henry groaned. "I don't like how you said 'extermination' and 'easy' in the same sentence…"
Still, we all found ourselves drawn in as she spread the flyers across a nearby table. One in particular caught my eye, StriderWolf activity near the forest outskirts.
"We've dealt with those before," I said, scanning the details. "Shouldn't be too bad with how much stronger we've gotten."
Ella practically vibrated. "Let's go!"
The sun's had fully risen by the time we reached the edge of the forest.
Up ahead, the StriderWolves came into view, their black fur rippling with muscle and lined with dagger-like spines that shimmered in the morning light.
"There," Amelia whispered, crouched low. "There are two on the ridge, and three more circling from the sides."
"They look nastier than last time," Henry muttered, eying them up.
I focused on the nearest one. "Highest one's only level 18," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Shouldn't be too bad."
We shifted into a triangular formation, with me at the point, Henry and Amelia flanking, and Ella, Emily, and Benjamin hanging back as ranged support. The plan was to take them by surprise and drop at least one before they could react.
I leaned toward Ella. "Start with that one on the left."
She nodded and drew her arm back, summoning a glowing Moonlight Blade. But as she released it, the blade veered slightly, clipping the haunch of one of the larger wolves perched on a rock.
"Oh crap, I missed–"
The beast let out a piercing howl that alerted the others to our position.
"incomeing!" Amelia barked.
I darted forward, summoning a Gauntlet over my arm as I met the first wolf head-on. With a solid punch, I slammed my fist into its snout, knocking it off course and into a nearby tree. It hit hard, staggered, and snarled as it shook off the daze.
Behind me, Henry launched into action, darting past to intercept a second wolf lunging toward Benjamin. With a bit of help from Emily, Henry dove in right after a rock slammed into the creature's head and brushed his hand across its neck, and a second later, it was as if the creature couldent breathe. It started to stagger and then hack up something, although it quickly switched to choking as if its air pipe was closing up. I was somewhat horrified by this new trick, but Amelia's shouting snapped my focus back to the fight.
"Three more incoming!" Amelia called, summoning a stone wall that burst from the earth and forced two of the wolves to divert their path.
"Ella, behind you!" I shouted, catching sight of one flanking from the rear.
She spun on instinct, a second Moonlight Blade forming with fluid grace. The crescent shot out like a comet, slicing clean through the lunging wolf's chest–cleaving it in two.
"Well done, Ella!" Benjamin called out as he let his saint's blessing envelope all of us.
Amelia, emboldened by her momentum, formed a massive stone hammer and swung it sideways, slamming one of the wolves into a nearby boulder with a satisfying crack. At the same time, I closed in on the last one. A quick step in, then an uppercut straight to its jaw. I felt the bone give way under the impact. And before it could recover, I followed up with a sharp kick to the side of its head, launching it across the ground. Once it came to a rest, it didn't get back up.
Huh… that was easier than I expected.
Hopefully, the next job puts up more of a fight.
Pulling myself out of that thought, I scanned the clearing. The sudden quiet pressed in around us, the echo of the battle fading into the rustling leaves. Just to be sure, I gave the area a quick sweep, but there was nothing.
The others regrouped, catching their breath as we slowly checked the perimeter. Once we were certain the area was clear, I let out a steady breath.
"Nice work."
Eager to move on to the next location, we quickly took evidence of the job completion and moved on. Each job throughout the day contributed to Ella's experience, propelling her through an astonishing six level-ups.
But that wasn't the only surprise. Apparently, her celestial race has a unique advantage of having 5 stat points per level, coupled with an additional +3 bonus until level 25.
"That's... incredible," Emily murmured, her eyes wide with amazement. "Ella, at this rate, you're going to be unstoppable."
Henry scoffed, leaning back slightly with a smirk. "Who even needs that much power?" he teased, his tone light but carrying a hint of mock challenge. "I mean, what are you planning to do, take over the world or something?"
Ella rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Henry," she shot back with a grin, brushing off his comment as she basked in the moment.
Henry chuckled, shrugging as if to play it cool. "I'm just saying, leave some of the spotlight for the rest of us." Despite his teasing, there was a flicker of determination in his eyes.
I doubted he was going to let himself be outdone.
As we continued our extermination quest, the days blurred together as we grew more accustomed to our surroundings.
Sitting on a ledge overlooking the vast farmland I marveled at my progress and thought back on the week. Ella, fueled by her insatiable energy, reached level 16. Henry had even learned a new skill called "Venomous Vines," which was able to summon clusters of spike-covered vines that would try to grab onto anything in the vicinity, which allowed him to administer poison, which only helped him get to level 23. Both diligent in their training, Emily and Benjamin reached level 19. Amelia and I found ourselves in friendly competition, both standing at level 22.
With our jobs wrapped up, we headed back to the city, craving a break and maybe a little fun after the grind.
The guild hall was buzzing when we stepped inside, with adventurers of all kinds swapping stories, the usual patchwork of voices echoing off the stone walls. At the front desk, Samantha was bent over paperwork, quill scratching furiously. She looked up as we approached, her face brightening with a smile.
"Well, if it isn't my hard-working adventurers," she said, setting the quill aside. "I've got something special for you."
We traded quick looks. "Oh?" Amelia asked, eyebrow arched. "And what kind of surprise would that be?"
Samantha chuckled, sliding a small pouch across the desk. "The rewards from the star map job just came in."
Amelia picked it up, surprised by the weight. She loosened the drawstring, peeked inside, and blinked. "Three gold coins?" She tilted the pouch so the rest of us could see the glint. "That's… more than I expected."
"Are you sure this is right?" she asked, turning the pouch in her hands.
"Triple-checked it myself," Samantha said with a grin. "And judging by the client's reaction, you probably could've asked for more."
Benjamin opened his mouth, shut it, then fumbled for words. "I… I just—"
Emily nudged him with her shoulder, smiling wide. "Take the win, Ben. Not every day someone pays extra for a job well done."
He nodded sheepishly, still at a loss.
I slipped my hands into my pockets. "So… how are we celebrating? With this and everything else we've been pulling in, we've got what—four gold in total?"
Emily's eyes lit up. "Oh, I know exactly what we should do."
Which is how we ended up weaving through the city streets, following her lead. She practically bounced with each step, rattling off everything she'd heard about the aerial races – how whole crowds gathered to bet on them, how creatures from across the continent competed.
Her words tumbled one over the next, a stream of excitement I half-listened to. Usually, her enthusiasm would've been contagious.
However, a strange, disorienting feeling sent shivers through my body, and I found myself lagging just slightly behind.
Something felt off.
I scanned the street absently, letting their voices fade into background noise. A low hum had started up in the back of my head, not quite a sound… but more like pressure.
Then I felt it.
A faint vibration at the base of my neck. It pulsed once. Then again.
I froze.
Across the cityscape, just beyond a cluster of rooftops, a thick column of dark smoke curled into the sky, swirling lazily in the breeze.
"Amelia," I said, catching up to her side. "Do you see that? Over there, smoke."
She followed my gaze, eyes narrowing as she scanned the horizon. "Where?"
"Past the rooftops," I said, pointing. "Near the southern ridge."
She squinted, then shook her head. "I don't see anything. Are you sure?"
The buzz grew stronger for a moment, sending a chill down my spine. I fought the urge to rub the mark.
"Yeah," I muttered. "Might be nothing."
But I didn't believe that.
Amelia glanced at me, concern creeping into her expression. "Are you alright? You look... off."
I forced a smile and waved it off. "I'm fine. Just need to check something real quick."
"You're sure?" she asked, not sounding convinced.
"I'll meet you all at the trial race," I said, already stepping back from the group. "It won't take long."
Amelia watched me for a moment longer, hesitant, then finally nodded. "Alright… but don't be long, okay?"
"I won't," I said, already moving.
Slipping away from the group, I barely said a word as I turned down a quiet side street. Their confused questions fading into the distance, swallowed by the rustle of wind and the distant clatter of foot traffic around me. My own footsteps echoed softly as I followed the strange shimmer I thought I'd seen.
Smoke – or something like it – hung just above the rooftops, twisting lazily. One moment, it was there, curling like a lazy signal. The next, it vanished, blinking in and out of view like a mirage caught between worlds.
What is this? Am i seeing things?
Still, I kept going. Curiosity or something deeper urging me forward as I rounded a narrow corner, where the smoke originated from
But the alley was empty. Just old crates, damp cobblestones, and the faint sour smell of rotting water from a busted gutter. Besides that, everything looked normal.
And then, it didn't.
The shift was instant, like falling through a trapdoor. The clean walls around me crumbled into scorched ruins. Windows shattered inward. Signs splintered and swung on rusted chains. The air was filled with the reek of ash and burned hair. A low metallic ringing buzzed in my ears, and somewhere, far off but close enough to feel, I heard screaming. Not one voice. But Dozens. Maybe more.
My mind reeled at what I was seeing, Unable to wrap my head around it.
What was happening to me?
Then, just as I thought this, a wet crunch reached my ears, only to be met by another, like the sound of something fleshy being torn apart.
My body turned cold. The alley stretched ahead, warped by smoke and ruin. I staggered back a step, bracing against a wall that felt too warm. When I blinked, everything returned to normal.
The alley was whole again, like nothing had happened.
I stood there, breathing shallowly, as I took in the everyday surroundings all around me. It was over. It was just—
Then my mark activated again, and just like that, the vision flickered back.
The ruin returned. A crack split the stone beneath me. The sky overhead shifted, painted in deep reds and purples, like bruises across the clouds. Smoke poured in, thick and choking.
And down the alley, something moved.
A shape hunched in the shadows, curled over something limp. Its limbs were too long. Skin stretched taut over bones, glistening and gray like oiled stone. It wore no clothing, just jagged edges and sharp joints. Malnourished and Wrong in so many ways.
It twitched. Slowly. Then—
Crunch.
The creature was eating something, but paused mid-bite as if hearing me, then it turned, and my stomach lurched as I took in the sight of it.
It had no eyes.
Just a face stretched wide with far too many bloody teeth. Grinning as it gnawed through meat and sinew. And underneath it, bloodied and broken… a person.
My mind blanked as I took in the sight of it, and just as I coalesced a bolt of lightning and launched it twords the monstrosity, my vision flickered along with my mark.
A bolt of energy ripped from my fingers, lighting the alley in a flash of searing blue, and slammed into a stack of crates. Cloth and splinters exploded everywhere.
And just like that, the vision was gone as the world snapped back to normal.
There was no monster. No corpse being consumed. Just a broken box of clothing, smoking quietly in the aftermath.
I stared at my hand, chest heaving. The echo of the scream still rang in my ears.
What the hell was that…?
I leaned back against the wall, slid down until I was sitting, and wiped the sweat from my brow. I could still feel the ghost of that place, like it had left a mark on the inside of my skull.
The laughter from the streets returned like a memory out of place.
Rubbing my eyes, I struggled to focus. Was I losing my mind? And my mark, why had it reacted so intensely? I combed through memories of every other time it had flared up. Was it some kind of warning? No, it had never felt like this before. The only times it flared up were when the shadows appeared, but this... this was different.
Forcing myself upright, I drew in a slow breath, trying to steady the hammering in my chest. My head spun with questions, none of them with answers, but one thing was certain: I needed to get out of that alley.
I turned back toward the street, letting the noise of the crowd wash over me, but the vision still clung to me, tangled in my thoughts. Just before moving on, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. There was no smoke.
I exhaled sharply and forced myself to walk away.
Navigating through the bustling streets felt surreal, almost dreamlike. The cheerful sounds around me felt distant, as if filtered through thick glass. My mind kept replaying the vision: the ruined alley, the screams, that... thing, hunched over and feeding on someone.
Was that the past? Or a hallucination. There's no way I was seeing the past, was I?
I shook my head, desperate to clear it. Get yourself together, Atlas. It wasn't real. It couldn't have been real.
Eventually, the Coliseum, where the event was being held, came into view. It loomed ahead, a majestic structure that seemed both ancient and impossibly grand. Towering wooden columns reached skyward, and polished stone walls gleamed under the setting suns. People flowed toward the entrance, eager and excited, but I couldn't fully share their anticipation.
Near the entrance, I finally saw them. Amelia turned first, concern clear in her eyes as she looked me over. "Atlas, are you alright? You look—"
"I'm fine," I interrupted gently, forcing a reassuring smile. "Just got a bit turned around."
She hesitated, obviously unconvinced, but nodded slowly. "Alright. If you're sure."
Inside, we secured seats among the eager crowd. Emily and the others chatted animatedly, but I remained quiet, my gaze drifting absently around the arena. As I stared, the vibrant colors and bustling audience seemed to waver, replaced briefly by visions of crumbling stone columns and ash-streaked skies. I closed my eyes tightly, breathing deeply to steady myself.
"Look at this place," Emily whispered beside me, her voice filled with awe. "It's like something out of a storybook."
"Yeah," I managed quietly, forcing myself back into the present moment. "It's Incredible."
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event!" The announcer's voice thundered through the arena, jolting me back to reality..
I focused on the announcer's booming voice, anchoring myself to it as if it were a lifeline. Gradually, the haunting memories faded to the background as the teams emerged onto the field, riders astride extraordinary creatures. The Skyward Serpentines, vibrant in blue and green, mounted massive winged serpents whose scales glistened in the fading sunlight. Opposite them stood the Winged Wraiths, clad in sleek black and gold uniforms, riding the Eldershade Drakes – translucent beings with shadowy wisps trailing eerily behind them.
Amelia leaned closer, her voice a hushed whisper. "Those Eldershade Drakes are something else," she murmured, clearly captivated. "I've never seen anything like them."
I nodded slowly, feeling the initial anxiety begin to loosen its grip. The sight was mesmerizing, surreal enough to distract me. The energy of the crowd, infectious and vibrant, gradually seeped into me, pulling me into the present.
At the arena's edge, a group of mages began preparations, raising their hands in unison to lift rings composed of rock, water, and fire. These elements floated upward, intertwining to create a dazzling obstacle course suspended high above the colosseum floor.
Henry muttered something beside me, but I missed it entirely as I was momentarily awed by the sight before me. High above the course, subtly swayed as if caught in a distant current, was a floating river. The twin suns cast light that shone through the pulsing tides, casting shifting blue patterns all over the coliseum.
The announcer's voice rang out again, pulling me back to the moment. "Riders, ready your mounts!"
Both teams took their positions at the starting line, the Skyward Serpentines atop their sinuous serpents and the Winged Wraiths astride their shadowy drakes. A collective hush settled over the crowd, as they all waited for the count down.
"Three… two… one," and with that a horn blared to life.
With explosive speed, both teams shot forward. The Eldershade Drakes took the lead as it leaped into the air first, their powerful hind legs propelling them upward with shadowy elegance. Right behind them, the Serpentines' mounts took flight, their tri-winged serpents gliding fluidly, swiftly closing the gap.
The first obstacle they met was a fiery hoop. Without a second thought, the rider of The Serpent shifted and flattened themselves to the scales of their companion, and with a twist, the serpent twisted upside down and dove through the ring and then down around another obstacle, making it seem effortless and much to the delight of the crowd as the whole stadium erupted with cheers and applause.
The Eldershade Drakes countered with their own unique strategy, using their momentum to leap off floating stone platforms, each graceful jump bringing gasps from the crowd.
Emily leaned forward, gripping the railing, eyes wide with excitement as she gave off a couple of whistles of encouragement, finding herself rooting for the SkywardSerpentines.
I had to admit it, the crowd's behavior was infectious. I found myself drawn into the spectacle, cheering along with the others. As the race continued, I felt the shadowy memories slip away, replaced by the vivid, exhilarating present unfolding before me.
As the race neared its end, both teams were neck and neck, each pushing their mounts to the limit. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd on the edge of their seats. In a thrilling final move, one of the Eldershade Drakes used a floating rock to propel itself forward with an extra burst of speed, shooting toward the finish line. In a fraction of a second, it crossed just ahead of the lead Seraphon, sealing the victory.
The arena erupted into a mix of cheers, applause, and a few playful boos. The excitement was uncontainable as the announcer's voice filled the arena once more, celebrating the close and exhilarating race.
The riders dismounted, bowing to the crowd. As the creatures glided back to the holding areas, the audience continued to cheer, fully immersed in the unforgettable spectacle.
The mesmerizing races continued for hours, each team parading their incredible creatures as the sun's dipped below the horizon, casting a fiery glow over the arena. One team in particular, the Thundercloud Drifters, quickly became the center of my attention. Their mounts, the Tempest Drakes, were awe-inspiring creatures reminiscent of the Eldershade Drakes but with an astounding twist: these majestic beings could transform into swirling clouds of darkness, seamlessly gliding through obstacles.
The coordination between the Thundercloud Drifters and their drakes was nothing short of breathtaking. At one point, one of the riders leaped off their drake mid-course, maneuvering around obstacles on foot while their Tempest Drakes disappeared into dark mist, only to rematerialize on the other side, allowing the riders to reunite with perfect timing.
Their performance was a testament to the trust the rider and mount had in each other… well, the rider at least. I cringed at the thought of the Rider being just slightly slower and jumping off the rock to only find that his mount was further ahead…. No point in wondering what would happen next.
As the hours passed, the air grew colder, and the darkness thickened, adding an ethereal quality to the spectacle. The arena lights flickered on, illuminating the magnificent course and heightening the electric excitement in the crowd. The racers pushed their creatures to new heights as the night deepened, each team showcasing skill, agility, and trust.
When the final race concluded, we reluctantly turned back toward the hotel, the thrill of the event still humming in our veins. Conversations flowed easily among us, filled with laughter and excitement. We each had our favorite moments, but Emily was particularly animated, her eyes shining as she recounted her favorite teams and their stunts.
"It was amazing, wasn't it?" she exclaimed, still basking in the energy of the races. "I've never seen anything like it."
"You know, Emily," I chimed in, a spark of excitement igniting within me, "with your abilities, you'd be a natural at this. All you need is the right creature."
Emily's eyes widened in surprise, her expression shifting to one of hopeful curiosity. "Do you really think so?"
Without hesitation, I nodded. "Absolutely. You've got the skills and the spirit for it. You'd be unstoppable out there."
A warm blush crept onto Emily's cheeks at the unexpected praise.
As we strolled back to the hotel Laughter filled the air, and our conversation bubbled with excitement about the races we'd witnessed. Once settled for dinner, we continued recounting the exhilarating moments from the Colosseum, savoring each memory.
"Did you see the way that water creature transformed mid-air?" Henry exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration. "That was something else."
"It was incredible," Amelia agreed, her tone filled with awe. "I can't believe how smoothly they executed those maneuvers."
"I wish I could capture the beauty of those races in a painting. The colors, the motion, it was all so breathtaking." Benjamin chimed in as if already picturing it.
"I think my favorite part was when the Thundercloud Drifters took the lead with that daring move where the rider jumped off his mount to run across the stone, only to jump back on as his creature. It was like watching a well-choreographed performance." Ella said while filling her plate with multiple rolls.
"Hey, pass the rolls, you don't have to hog them all," Henry teased.
Ella shot him a glare but complied, handing over the rolls. "I'm not hogging them. They just happened to be closer to me."
Henry chuckled. "Sure, sure. But having three on your plate says otherwise, don't you think?"
Ella rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Well, you're not much better. You practically have half of the steak, and it was supposed to be shared among four of us."
Henry's grin widened, unabashed. "Hey, the waitress said she'd bring another one after I started on this one," he retorted.
Ella huffed playfully. "After you took half," she countered
"Did anyone else notice how the Skyward Serpentines handled the wind tunnels?" Amelia asked, steering the conversation back to the races. "They made it look so easy."
"I was too busy watching the Winged Wraiths. Those Eldershade Drakes are mesmerizing," I added, reaching for another piece of bread. "Their movements are so fluid, it's like they're part of the shadows."
Emily nodded enthusiastically. "And how about that finish? The way they dove through the last ring of fire–it was breathtaking."
As the banter continued, the waitress brought another platter of food, and Henry wasted no time in claiming a generous portion. "This steak is even better than the first one," he declared.
"Oh no you dont," I reached over and plucked the steak off his plate with my fork and put it on mine. "You already had your portion."
He stared at me, as if i had just committed the most grievous sin and turned to the already empty steak platter.
"Speaking of which," Benjamin interjected, "Well have to see when the next event is."
"Absolutely," I said with a grin. "We'll make it a priority."
As dinner wound down, our conversation drifted naturally toward our future plans and adventures, still fueled by the excitement of the day's events. The aerial races lingered vividly in my mind, a reminder of the remarkable and often surreal world we inhabited.
Yet, beneath that excitement, an unsettling memory stirred quietly. brief flashes of crumbling walls and shadowy figures flickering at the edge of my consciousness. I shook my head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside for now.
"Anyway," I finally interjected, stretching as I stood up from the table, "I'm heading up to bed. I'm exhausted."
Benjamin smiled warmly, nodding. "Alright, sleep well."
Settling into bed, I felt the day's exhaustion finally catching up to me. The mattress felt comforting, like sinking into a warm embrace. I let out a slow breath, the gentle hum of the city lulling me toward sleep.
Yet, even as my eyes closed, those faint echoes of the vision whispered from the edges of my mind, subtle but persistent.
Then a piercing scream shattered the calm.
My eyes snapped open. Then frantically scanned the empty room for any sign of an attack, only to see nothing. However, the screams never stopped as they echoed from outside.
My heart pounded as I threw off the blankets. While still a little disoriented, I stumbled to the door, yanked it open, and stepped into a city on fire.
The air was thick with smoke and blood, the heat licking at my skin as flames consumed buildings around me. The metallic scent of burning steel filled my lungs, the ground cracked and broken beneath my feet.
Screams echoed between the burning ruins, raw and desperate. Gunfire rattled in the distance, swallowed by the roar of the inferno. The streets twisted in ways that didn't make sense, as they warped in on themselves.
Then, the mist rolled in.
Thick and cold, it slithered through the ruins, unaffected by the fire, weaving through the wreckage like it had a mind of its own. It swallowed the world piece by piece, distorting the edges of reality.
Something moved within it. A shadow. Indistinct but familiar in a strange way.
I dident think as i ran after it.
Through the haze, past the wreckage, and the fire flickering in and out of existence as the world twisted around me. My breath came hard but was strangely quiet as the mist muted everything but the pounding of my heart.
Then I saw him.
A figure lying in the dirt, his military gear darkened by blood, seeping from a deep wound in his waist. His helmet lay shattered beside him, his face obscured, blurred at the edges, like a photo smudged beyond recognition.
But I knew him.
"Hold on—I'm here!" My knees hit the ground beside him, my hands pressing against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
His breathing was shallow, his eyes finding mine with a flicker of recognition, but they couldn't stay focused.
He tried to speak, but only managed a weak gurgle.
But then he tapped twice on my arm.
A signal. A silent way of saying, I'm still here.
But for how much longer?
Just then, the thick mist curled as if parting for something as a shadow formed just behind him, its shadowy hand outstretched to pull him back.
"No!" I lunged after him, but I was too late as the thing wrenched him from my grasp, leaving my hand empty just as the walls of reality bled together, bending and warping like a dream about to collapse.
And then I looked down.
In my palm, clutched so tightly my knuckles whitened, was his dog tag.
But I didn't get a chance to read it as the mist closed in, pressing in until there was nothing left to see but the cold glint of metal in my hand, And the darkness beyond, that swept in to devour me…
I bolted upright as a sharp gasp tore from my throat, my chest heaving as if I had just been drowning.
My body was drenched in sweat, the fabric of my shirt clinging uncomfortably to my skin.
The battlefield was gone.
Replaced by the dim stillness of my room.
The moonlight bled through the window, casting pale streaks across the walls. Around me, the others slept soundly, their breathing steady, untouched by the storm raging in my mind.
I swallowed hard, pressing my hands against my face.
"It was just a nightmare." I whispered it aloud, my voice hoarse.
Just a nightmare.
But my fingers curled around my palm, expecting something to be there.
Expecting the weight of a dog tag that shouldn't exist.
My breathing slowed, but the echo of those fading eyes – eyes that should've meant something – wouldn't leave me.
Who was he? I should know, I instinctively knew him, but something was wrong… my mind was like a misty room with barely distinguishable figures off in the distance. But no matter how close I got, the figures always stayed at that same distance just out of sight.
I pushed myself out of bed, needing something… anything to ground me.
Making my way to the small wash basin in the corner, I stood there for a moment before turning on the small light off to the side and splashing my face with a handful of cool water.
I stared at the reflection in the dim light.
My own face was clear.
But his?
Nothing but a blur.
I exhaled slowly, forcing the thoughts aside. My hair had grown too long again. A distraction. A reason to focus on something tangible.
Summoning a pair of scissors, I set to work.
By the time I finished, a messy undercut stared back at me, the sides cropped short, the top styled slightly to the side. It wasn't perfect. But it was real.
Unlike that dream. Unlike him.
I tidied up, disposing of the shorn strands before exhaustion pulled at me again.
Lying back down, I let out a slow breath.
But even as I closed my eyes, the image of that blurred figure lingered, refusing to fade.
And in the silence before sleep claimed me, a single thought surfaced, only to begin slipping away the moment I grasped it.
I had lost someone. Someone who mattered.
And the worst part was… I had already forgotten them