After several days of walking, I'm finally approaching Steelwall, but strangely, I see smoke in the distance, with large dark clouds hovering over the city walls. As I get closer to the city, I realize that it has suffered a cruel fire. Red, black, and gray are now the new colors of what was once a bustling town.
The air, which was normally filled with the scents and sounds of hard work, is now unnaturally silent, with the noise of crackling wood drowning out all other sounds in the area.
Street after street, the charred grounds offer only a terrifying thought, as each of them once contained houses belonging to families, and now there are only embers, smoke, and emptiness. I sincerely hope that my family made it out... This simple thought troubles me, and I can't help but quicken my pace.
Arriving in my neighborhood, despair grips my heart, as the damage is even worse than anywhere else, as if the fire started here.
However, I can't hope that my parents or my sister are still alive. Maybe they weren't at home that day, I reflect, trying to keep hope. Without wasting a second, I ran to the mercenaries' association, as it's the place where I'll find the most information. When I arrive, everyone is gloomy, even the receptionist.
"What happened?" I asked her without waiting. The receptionist, who seems lost, looks at me with a heavy sad gaze.
"You're talking about the fire," she slowly responds, probably used to this situation.
"Yes, what happened? Are there any survivors?" continued with the urge to know.
"Oh, about two weeks ago, a terrible explosion occurred, followed by a fierce fire. No one knows the origin of the explosion, but many believe it was an act of terrorism or a disguised assassination. If you think you've lost someone, you can always check the memorial prayer that the Lord of the city has erected near the cemetery. It should contain all the names of those who have passed or gone missing."
I thanked her for the information and rushed towards the gravestone. Upon arrival, several groups of people form a line to read the names inscribed on it. Some cry after reading the name of a loved one, while others sigh with relief. The wait is killing me, but soon it's my turn. The stone is large and white, contrasting with the rest of the city.
The names are written starting with the last name and then in alphabetical order. Xel'Mourndor, Xel'Mourndor, I'm mumbling to myself, Xel'Mourndor, I quickly search, while still whispering my name, scanning downwards, and there they are: Xel'Mourndor Stevius, Xel'Mourndor Bella, and Xel'Mourndor Kimly.
A sharp pain strikes my chest from within. With the help of my hand, I stabilize myself using the stone while the other hand clutches my chest in agony. It feels like my heart just split in two and continues to tear apart. Tears start to flow, and I escape into an alley, ignoring the pitiful looks from others. I sit on the ground, back against the wall, and I cry. The pain is still there, but there's nothing I can do. All my memories and all the moments I shared with them resurface, intensifying my grief. I wanted to show them my new powers and give them a better life, but I can't. They won't know that I'm still alive either, or it's my fault. I could have come back earlier, and maybe they would still be alive…
After crying for some time, I decided to return to the Void Mall to rest, as I have nothing left here. To mourn, I must move on without them, and it saddens me.
My father's dreams will be mine, and the former greatness of our family will be restored.
Today, Heolstor the young student died with the rest of his family.
From now on, I will be known as Xel'Mourndor the Void Merchant, and the rest of the world will soon be mine to sell.
THE END