Reflections of the Damned

The Dawn of Preparation

The morning after the fight with the shadows was an uneasy calm, the kind that made even silence feel heavy. The settlement stirred with its usual rhythm—vendors calling out, the clinking of tools, the faint laughter of children—but among Elias's group, there was a shared tension that lingered like a storm on the horizon.

Lara's hand still tingled, the sensation of her restored arm overwhelming her with both joy and fear. She flexed her fingers, marveling at the warmth, at the life she hadn't felt in so long. Yet, the knowledge of what Elias had done—and what he was capable of—clung to her like a shadow.

Elias moved with purpose that morning. His footsteps echoed through their building as he gathered papers, the journal, and the faintly glowing photograph that had been their guide since the beginning. There was something different about him today—more focused, more resolute.

By the time Tobias and the group gathered in the largest meeting room within the settlement, the air was already thick with expectation.

The room was a simple, open space with a long, sturdy table at its center. Faint light streamed in through tall, narrow windows, casting angular patterns on the wooden floor. Tobias sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as he watched Elias arrange the papers before speaking.

Lara stood to Elias's right, her gaze sharp and focused, while Margot lingered near the back of the room, her arms crossed, her eyes unusually distant as if her thoughts were elsewhere. Caleb and Maddy were seated together, though Caleb's hand occasionally twitched as though reaching for a memory just out of his grasp.

Daniel sat with his fingers laced together, his usual aloofness giving way to a rare, serious demeanor. Becca and Jack whispered softly to one another before the room fell quiet.

Elias placed his hands flat on the table and looked at Tobias first. "We need to talk about what we found at the edge of the beginning."

Tobias's gaze narrowed. "The beginning? You speak in riddles, Elias. Get to the point."

Elias's voice was steady, calm, but it carried a weight that hushed the room. "The City isn't the only thing alive here, Tobias. It's at war with something bigger. Something older."

The group murmured, exchanging glances, but Elias continued.

"Last night was a warning," he said, his eyes scanning each person in the room. "The shadows, the reflections—they're not the root of this place. They're a product of something deeper. A force the City is still trying to contain."

Tobias shifted, his fingers tapping against the table. "And what does this mean for us?"

"It means we don't have much time," Elias replied. "Before the year ends, the City will go to sleep. That's when we strike. But until then, we need to prepare."

Tobias raised an eyebrow. "Prepare how?"

Elias's voice hardened. "We need control. Control over the town, control over ourselves. We need to organize, equip, and fortify."

Tobias straightened in his chair, his voice carrying a faint edge of challenge. "And you think I'll hand over the town just like that? On your word alone?"

Elias met his gaze without flinching. "Not on my word alone. On the truth of what we've seen—what you've felt. You know this place isn't safe. You know what we're up against."

Tobias opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, Caleb spoke up. "He's right," he said quietly, his voice shaky but firm. "Whatever happened last night… I don't remember it, but I know something's wrong. I can feel it."

Becca nodded in agreement. "We've been surviving day by day, Tobias. Maybe it's time we did more than that."

Daniel leaned forward, his gaze on Tobias. "If we don't prepare now, we won't survive what's coming."

The murmurs of support grew louder, and Tobias sat back in his chair, his expression a mix of resignation and calculation. He exhaled sharply, then nodded. "Fine. But this doesn't mean you get to run the place, Elias. You'll still answer to me."

Elias inclined his head slightly. "Agreed. But we'll need roles. We'll need leaders."

The room grew quieter as Elias stepped back and began appointing each member to their role, his voice deliberate and calm, as though every word was part of a larger plan.

"Tobias," he said, looking at the older man. "You remain the head of the town. Final decisions will rest with you."

Tobias nodded gruffly, though his expression remained watchful.

"Lara," Elias continued, his gaze shifting to her. "You'll lead all exploration beyond the town. You're the Travel Leader now."

Lara blinked in surprise but straightened with a firm nod.

"Margot," Elias said, his voice softer, though Margot's distant gaze didn't change. "You'll oversee training and combat. You're our General."

Margot's lip twitched faintly, but she said nothing.

"Becca," Elias said, turning to her. "You'll manage accommodations and supplies. You're in charge of making sure everyone has what they need."

Becca nodded, her blue eyes sharp and calculating.

"Jack," Elias said next, his tone firm. "You'll handle security. Patrols, defense lines—anything that keeps the town safe."

Jack grinned faintly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can handle that."

"Daniel," Elias continued, his voice carrying across the room. "You're in charge of transportation. We'll need to move quickly when the time comes."

Daniel nodded, his jaw set. "Understood."

"Caleb," Elias said finally, meeting his gaze. "You're in charge of warfare. Strategy, weapons, and preparation. You're the backbone of our fight."

Caleb hesitated, his fingers twitching. "Warfare?"

Elias nodded. "I trust you."

"And Maddy?" Tobias asked, breaking the silence.

"Maddy will assist Margot," Elias said simply, glancing at her. "And I will act as your assistant, Tobias, to make decisions that ensure our survival."

When the roles were set, the group sat in stunned silence. The weight of responsibility was clear, but Elias's next words startled them.

"Take your time," he said, his voice breaking the quiet. "Enjoy what days you have now. The City isn't ready to move yet. It's at war with something bigger—something that's keeping it distracted. Soon, it will sleep. That's when we'll act."

"Sleep?" Becca repeated, her brow furrowed.

"The City rests in cycles," Elias explained. "But until then, it watches us. It listens. It learns. If we rush now, if we try to act before we understand its origins, we'll only fall deeper into its trap."

"What kind of trap?" Caleb asked nervously.

"The kind that twists you away from the truth," Elias replied. "The kind that kills you before you ever understand what happened."

The room fell silent again, Elias's words lingering like a bitter chill.

As the meeting dispersed, Margot lingered behind, her expression distant. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind on an endless loop—the shadows twisting out of her body, Elias's monstrous form, and the memory of the voice that spoke through her.

She stayed seated, her hands gripping the edge of the table, as the others filed out. She would speak to Elias soon. She had to.