Chapter 15: Shadows of the Past
The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the wasteland in hues of orange and gold. Kaylen rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the faint hum of the Ember Core a constant presence in his mind. The weight of yesterday's revelations lingered, heavy and unyielding. The Core wasn't just his burden—it was a piece of something far greater, and the thought of what it could unleash left his chest tight.
Eryn handed him a canteen, their expression unreadable. "Drink up. We've got a long trek ahead."
Kaylen took a sip, the water cool against his parched throat. "Where are we heading exactly?"
Solas unrolled the map, their gloved finger tracing a path eastward. "The first city is called Ashmark. It's one of the few still intact, though it's more scavenger outpost than settlement now."
"And what are we looking for there?" Kaylen asked, adjusting the straps of his pack.
"Information," Solas replied. "There's a contact of mine in Ashmark—someone who might know where the other fragments of the artifact are."
Kaylen frowned. "The other fragments? You're saying there's more than just the Core?"
Solas nodded. "The artifact was shattered into five pieces. The Core is one. The Hunters are after the others, and if they manage to collect them all…"
"They'll remake the artifact," Eryn finished grimly. "And no one knows what that'll do."
Kaylen clenched his fists, the Core pulsing faintly in response. "Then we need to get there first."
---
The journey to Ashmark was grueling. The barren wasteland stretched endlessly before them, its cracked earth and jagged rocks offering little in the way of shelter. The sun beat down mercilessly, and the wind carried with it a biting chill that seeped into Kaylen's bones.
Eryn kept the group moving at a steady pace, their sharp eyes scanning the horizon for threats. Solas, ever the enigma, seemed unaffected by the harsh conditions, their focus unwavering.
Kaylen, on the other hand, struggled to keep up. His body ached from the strain of using the Core, and his mind felt like a storm of fragmented memories and doubts. Each step felt heavier than the last, but he pushed forward, fueled by sheer determination.
By midday, the faint outline of Ashmark appeared on the horizon. The city loomed like a scar on the landscape, its broken towers and crumbling walls a stark reminder of the world's violent history.
"We're close," Solas said, their voice breaking the silence. "Stay alert. Ashmark isn't exactly welcoming to outsiders."
"What should I expect?" Kaylen asked, his gaze fixed on the approaching ruins.
"Trouble," Eryn replied with a smirk. "And a lot of people who'll try to rob you blind if you're not careful."
Kaylen tightened his grip on the Ember Core. "Sounds charming."
---
As they entered the outskirts of Ashmark, the air grew heavy with tension. Scavengers and merchants moved through the narrow streets, their eyes darting suspiciously at the newcomers. The buildings, though partially intact, were patched together with makeshift repairs, giving the city an air of fragile desperation.
"Stick close," Solas warned, leading them through the maze-like alleys. "My contact should be nearby."
Kaylen followed, his senses on high alert. The Core pulsed faintly, as if reacting to the city's latent energy. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
After several twists and turns, Solas stopped in front of a dilapidated building with a rusted sign that read Wayfarer's Rest. The inside was dimly lit, the air thick with smoke and the scent of spilled alcohol. A few patrons glanced up as they entered, but quickly returned to their drinks.
Solas approached the bar, where a man with a scarred face and a cybernetic eye was polishing a glass. "We're looking for Cassian," Solas said, their tone low but firm.
The bartender eyed them warily. "Depends. Who's asking?"
Solas leaned in, their voice barely audible. "Tell him the Archivist is here."
The man's cybernetic eye flickered briefly before he nodded toward a door at the back. "He's waiting."
Eryn smirked. "That's one way to get attention."
Kaylen followed silently as they moved toward the back room, his heart pounding in his chest. Whoever this Cassian was, they held the key to the next step of their journey—and possibly to understanding the Core's true purpose.
---
The room beyond the door was surprisingly well-kept, with shelves of books and artifacts lining the walls. A man in his late forties sat at a cluttered desk, his sharp eyes studying a glowing orb in his hands. He looked up as they entered, his expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"Solas," he said, setting the orb aside. "I didn't expect to see you again. And with company, no less."
"This is Kaylen," Solas said, motioning toward him. "He's the one carrying the Ember Core."
Cassian's gaze shifted to Kaylen, his eyes narrowing. "So, you're the one causing all this trouble."
Kaylen straightened, meeting Cassian's gaze. "I didn't ask for this."
"None of us did," Cassian replied, standing and crossing the room. "But here you are. And here I am, cleaning up after people like you."
"Can you help us or not?" Eryn cut in, their tone sharp.
Cassian smirked. "Depends on what you're looking for."
"Information," Solas said. "We need to find the other fragments before the Hunters do."
Cassian frowned, his demeanor growing serious. "Then you're chasing a ghost. The fragments are scattered across the most dangerous places in the world, guarded by those who would kill to keep them hidden—or worse, use them."
"We don't have a choice," Kaylen said, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach. "The Hunters already have a head start."
Cassian studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. I'll help you. But you'd better be ready for what comes next."
"What comes next?" Kaylen asked, his unease growing.
Cassian's smirk returned, tinged with a hint of warning. "A trip into the heart of chaos."