With a scream, I jolt awake—a scream escaping my lips, my own voice echoing in the silent room. Disoriented and breathless, I find myself in a strange, dark place. Where am I? Panic surges through me as I try to recall anything—anything at all. My mind is a haze; I can't remember.
The room around me is bare, with cracked walls and a single window and door. The window is filthy, caked with grime and dirt, blocking out most of the outside light. I can barely make out my surroundings. Through the smeared glass, the faint glimmer of moonlight struggles to seep in, casting eerie, elongated shadows across the room. It's night, yet the darkness feels thicker, more oppressive.
I lie in a bed, the sheets rough and unwelcoming, the smell of dust heavy in the air. Confused, I try to recall where I am, or how I ended up in this bed, but nothing comes to mind. Just as panic begins to set in, the door creaks open, and a someone steps inside.
"You're finally awake."
A soft voice breaks the room silence. I startle, turning quickly to face the source. "Who's there?"
A figure materializes before me—a woman with silver hair cascading around her shoulders and gray eyes like storm clouds, holding a hint of concern.
How can I see her so clearly in this darkened room? H-huh... Wait... Her hand is glowing!
I rub my eyes, questioning if this is some sort of dream. "Am I hallucinating?"
"I didn't mean to startle you, my name is Fia," she says, her voice soothing as if woven from moonbeams.
Normally, when someone introduces themselves, the other person is expected to reciprocate. But as I try to remember my own name, a sharp pain shoots through my head, throbbing with such intensity that I instinctively try to stand up, only to stumble and fall back onto the bed. A wave of weakness surged through me.
"My legs... they're so weak. Why... what happened to me?" I murmured, disbelief creeping into my voice.
Fia rushes over, concern etched on her face. "Easy there," she says, her glowing hand illuminating the room with a soft light. She kneels beside me, her presence oddly comforting in the eerie surroundings. "Are you okay?" she asks, her voice gentle yet filled with worry.
"I'm fine…" I manage to reply, though it's a lie. My head throbs, each pulse echoing through my skull.
Fia tilts her head slightly, a gentle concern in her eyes. "Can you tell me your name?" she asks softly.
I open my mouth to answer but hesitate. My mind feels like it's wrapped in fog. Why can't I remember? As I search for my name, a sharp pain shoots through my head again, making me wince. "I... I can't remember," I admit, the words feeling foreign and heavy.
"It's okay," Fia voice steady.
"I... I don't know. Everything is so confusing," I mutter, my voice trembling with bewilderment.
"Don't dwell on it too much. It happens sometimes. What matters is that you're awake now. We'll figure it out together," Fia says reassuringly.
"Here," Fia extends her glowing hand. "Let me help you." Her smile cuts through the darkness.
I hesitate for a moment but then nod. As I take her hand, a sense of warmth and reassurance flows through me. Her touch is steadying, and though I don't fully understand the situation, I feel a bit safer with her by my side.
Her shoulder becomes my anchor as we start walking slowly through the dimly lit hallway. The corridor is long and winding, with shadows clinging to every corner. The walls are cracked and peeling, and the air is thick with the musty scent of decay. The moonlight barely filters through the grimy windows, casting faint glows on our path, yet Fia's hand illuminates the way ahead.
As we move forward, I try to make sense of my surroundings. My mind races with questions, but one stands out.
"Where are we?" I ask.
Fia glances around the shadowy corridor before answering.
"This place was once a hospital," she begins, her voice echoing softly in the silence. "It's been abandoned for years."
"We're almost there."
We stumble toward the exit.
Outside, the building's decay reveals itself. Ivy clings to the walls, nature reclaiming what humanity abandoned. The building, once serving a purpose, now stands as a relic of forgotten memories. The moon, unobstructed, bathes the scene in silver. We stand at a crossroads, an invitation to choose a path, each leading to uncertainty. To the east, the forest awaits—a tangle of ancient trees.
At the crossroads, there is a bench. Fia guides me to sit. The cool night air chills my skin, but I hardly notice, my mind preoccupied with questions.
Fia takes a deep breath, her expression serious. "Three days ago, we found you near this place, injured and unconscious," she reveals, her voice heavy with concern. "We didn't know if you were going to wake up. It was touch and go for a while, and we did everything we could to keep you stable."
"Three days?... Ahhh.. I can't remember anything," I confess, a feeling of helplessness washing over me. "Why?" I feel drained, my limbs heavy and unresponsive.
"What happened to me?" My head keeps pulsing with a relentless ache
"Memory loss can happen after severe trauma," Fia explains gently. "Your body and mind went through a lot. It's not uncommon for people in your condition to feel disoriented. But don't worry, you are safe now."
"Safe?" I whisper. "What danger are we in?"
Right then, footsteps approach—two figures come into view. One is a man in a hooded jacket, the other a woman with red hair. Both look well-equipped, their expressions serious and focused. The man's jacket is worn and dirty, with multiple pockets and straps, suggesting it's designed for practicality and utility. He carries a backpack and wears gloves, hinting at readiness for defense or survival tasks. The woman's heavy coat is equally practical, built for protection against the elements, conveying a sense of resilience.
"Fia! They're almost here!" the red-haired woman exclaims urgently, her eyes widening in surprise. "He really woke up!"
"Hey there," she says, waving with a forced smile. "I'm Rhys, and this is Luke." She gestures to the man beside her.
Luke, the hooded man, sighs deeply, his frustration evident. "I can introduce myself," he says, shaking his head slightly. "Doesn't matter right now."
Rhys chuckles nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Hehehe... My bad, but you're right." She turns to Fia, her tone shifting to one of urgency. "Fia, we need to hurry. It's time."
"Luke and I cleared out the last remaining area. They are coming from the north," Rhys continues.
Fia's eyes narrow with concern. "How many?" she asks, her tone sharp with worry.
"Over ten thousand," Luke replies grimly.
Fia's breath catches, and she lowers her voice to a whisper. "And the Anathema?"
"We couldn't spot it, but it must be close. We have to stay cautious," Rhys answers.
"But Fia—" Rhys began, her protest cut short by my interruption. Curiosity and confusion compel me to break into their conversation.
"What are you talking about? What's going on?" My voice, though tinged with fear, demands answers. "And who or what is coming from the north?"
I let out a nervous laugh. "This must be a dream or a figment of my imagination."
I look down, feeling stressed and overwhelmed. "Please wake up," I whisper to myself, my hands trembling.
A moment of silence followed…
Then Fia said:
"Seeker of Truth,"
I look up, Fia eyes bore into mine, their intensity undeniable.
"Listen closely."
"Seeker of Truth? Is she talking to me?" I thought to myself.
"It's a lot to explain... The world," Fia begins, "was hanging by a thin thread. But then, on a fateful day, everything changed."
I lean in, drawn by her gravity. "What happened?"
***
It started with a rumble, a low growl that reverberated beneath the earth's surface. Then, without warning, an inexplicable blast wave surged across continents, rippling through the air like a shockwave. It was as if reality itself had been rewritten in an instant. When the dust settled, humanity stood forever altered.
In the aftermath, a strange energy coursed through the veins of every person on the planet. Ordinary individuals discovered they could manipulate elements, communicate with creatures, morph and transform, or even shift time in subtle ways—and do much more. A new age dawned, filled with awe and wonder as people explored their extraordinary powers. The world brimmed with potential; artists created masterpieces with a flick of their wrist, while scientists harnessed forces that had once been relegated to fiction.
But as excitement swelled, so did an undercurrent of fear. The initial thrill of newfound abilities quickly devolved into chaos. With each passing day, the sense of wonder faded, replaced by suspicion and hostility. Some wielded their powers to dominate, while others succumbed to greed, using their gifts for personal gain.
***
"And then," Fia's voice dropped to a whisper, her gaze dark and distant, "the war began."
***
The conflict erupted like a storm, consuming everything in its path. Cities that once thrived now lay in ruins, their inhabitants caught in the crossfire of powers unleashed without restraint. Nations fractured, alliances splintered, and the world bled, each wound a reminder of the madness that had overtaken humanity.
Countless lives were lost in the frenzy. Families were torn apart as loved ones disappeared, swallowed by the chaos. The war spread like a giant whirl fire, an uncontrollable force that left destruction and despair in its wake.
The cruelest twist?
Those who perished never understood why. They became mere shadows in a story that had spiraled out of control, their lives extinguished without explanation. The reasons for their suffering slipped away, lost in the maelstrom of fear and confusion.
Those who survived wielded their powers like weapons, blind to the true motives behind their actions. Driven by fear, anger, and desperation, they became pawns in a game they couldn't comprehend, leaving a shattered world in their wake—one where hope flickered dimly amid the ashes.
***
"Seeker of Truth," Fia's gaze softens, "amidst this darkness, there remains a glimmer of hope. I clung to that hope, even if the weight of our situation threatens to crush me."
Fia's determination flickers in her eyes. "Before we found you," she says, "we were preparing to ambush the Anathema. An Anathema yourself almost...We thought..." She pauses, taking a long blink as if reliving a painful memory. Then she continues, her tone more resolute. "It doesn't matter right now. The hordes of the Anathema draw close, and we don't have much time"
"We can't risk endangering you."
Fia presses on. "Seeker of truth, accompany Rhys and Luke to the city. There, you'll be safe."
I meet her gray eyes, searching for answers. This... can't be real, right? Why.. Why can't I remember anything? Why cant I..
"Fia, we've gathered everything we need," Luke shouts, urgency lacing his voice.
"Can you walk a bit further?" Fia asks, her concern palpable.
"I... I..." I stammer, my voice wavering with uncertainty.
Rhys, standing resolutely beside Luke, leans in. "Seeker, are you ready?"
I look down again, distress swirling within me as I struggle to process the chaos around me. A chasm of lost memories.
"what's going on."
Fia gently lifts my chin with her hand. I meet her gaze, and she offers a reassuring smile. "You're in safe hands. Beyond and I—we've got this. Once it's over, we'll reunite, I promise."
Beyond? A name that held a secret.
Despite my confusion, I nodded.
Luke, Rhys, and I step into the forest's embrace, the uncertain night swallowing us whole. The city awaits—a sanctuary, perhaps. Within me lies a truth waiting to be unearthed.
Seeker of Truth—they call me. A mantle to bear until the mystery of my existence unravels.