Relics: The Ashes of a Lost World

Nur woke with a start, his body jerking upright. His hand instinctively went to his face, feeling the cold, familiar weight of the goggles resting there. His breaths were shallow and rapid, but as he looked around, confusion replaced panic.

The room was dimly lit, its walls covered in strange, glowing markings that pulsed faintly. The light wasn't harsh; it felt… alive. A warmth radiated through him, unfamiliar and oddly comforting.

"Relax, you're safe," a soft voice said, drawing his attention.

He turned sharply to see a girl—young, no older than twelve—sitting cross-legged on a stone slab. Her dark hair framed her gentle face, and her eyes were filled with a wisdom beyond her years. Beside her stood a large, imposing man, his broad frame casting a shadow across the room. He wore a simple coat, but his demeanor exuded authority and calculation.

Nur shifted slightly, his body ready to spring. "Who are you? What's going on?"

The man raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Easy. If we wanted to hurt you, we wouldn't have kept you alive." His voice was deep and measured. "I'm Elias. That's Aisha."

The girl offered a small smile. "I healed you," she said simply, her tone matter-of-fact.

Nur blinked, processing her words. "Healed me?"

"You were in bad shape when we found you," Elias said, folding his arms. "Collapsed in the snow, burns on your skin, barely breathing. She fixed you up."

Nur frowned, his fingers brushing against his arm. The bruises, the burns, the exhaustion—they were gone. In their place, he felt… stronger. Energized. "How long was I out?"

"Almost two days," Elias replied, his sharp eyes studying Nur's reaction. "You were lucky we found you when we did."

Nur exhaled slowly, trying to piece together his thoughts. "Where are we?"

Aisha and Elias exchanged a glance. "We're not entirely sure," Aisha admitted. "It's some kind of island. We've been here for four days now."

"We climbed to the highest point we could find," Elias added. "There's water on all sides. But as we approached, it… shifted. Like it wasn't real. And the ruins—" He gestured to the markings on the walls. "They keep appearing out of nowhere."

Nur leaned back slightly, his gaze flicking between the two. "And the machines? The Merchas?"

"They're everywhere," Elias said, his voice grim. "Low-tier to medium-tier. They show up randomly, almost as if they're testing us."

"And you've been fighting them?" Nur asked, his eyes narrowing.

Elias nodded. "We don't have much of a choice. They're relentless. But…" He trailed off, his hand brushing against the pocket watch dangling from his coat.

"Our relics help," Aisha finished for him.

"Relics?" Nur's gaze sharpened.

Aisha held up her hand, displaying a simple yet intricate ring that glowed faintly green. "This is Angoor-e-Zameen. It lets me heal injuries, absorb energy to make myself stronger, and… well, it keeps me alive, mostly."

"And him?" Nur's eyes flicked to Elias.

The man smirked faintly, pulling the watch from his pocket. "Chrono Shard," he said, flipping it open. The watch's face glowed a soft blue, its hands moving in erratic patterns. "Localized time control. Predictive calculations. Makes me one step ahead in any fight."

Nur frowned, his fingers brushing the goggles on his face. "And you? Why are you here?"

"We arrived together," Aisha said, glancing at Elias. "Well, not intentionally. We were teleported here, like you. He's been looking out for me since then."

Elias shrugged. "She's a kid. Can't just leave her to fend for herself."

"Not that I need much help," Aisha added, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Nur let out a slow breath, his mind racing. "So, we're stuck on some kind of shifting island, fighting machines, and being tested by—what? Whoever brought us here?"

"That's the gist of it," Elias said.

"What now?" Nur asked, his voice steady despite the chaos swirling in his mind.

Elias straightened, his expression thoughtful. "We've been exploring, trying to map the island. But there's no pattern. Just ruins and Merchas. The only constant is the light at the center."

"The light?" Nur frowned.

Aisha nodded. "We noticed it two days ago. It's faint, but it's there. It feels… important."

Elias stepped forward, his towering figure casting a shadow over Nur. "We're heading toward it. But with the way this place shifts, it's not a straight path."

Nur stood, his movements fluid despite his earlier injuries. "Then let's go."

Elias and Aisha exchanged another glance. "We're not a team," Elias said bluntly. "We helped you because we could. But dragging you along isn't part of the plan."

Nur's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Fine. I don't need your help anyway."

Aisha frowned. "You don't have to be like that. We're just trying to—"

"It's fine," Nur cut her off, his tone sharp. He adjusted the goggles on his face, their faint glow catching the light. "I'll find my own way."

Elias studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Suit yourself. But if you're heading toward the light, be ready. This island doesn't play fair."

Nur turned toward the exit, his steps purposeful. "I never expected it to."

Aisha called after him, her voice soft. "Good luck, Nur."

He didn't look back, as he understood that they might not have trusted him entirely. Understandably so

Elias watched him go, his expression unreadable. "Think he'll make it?"

Aisha hesitated, then nodded. "He's strong. Stronger than he knows."

Elias smirked faintly, flipping open the Chrono Shard. "We'll see."

As Nur moved through the ruins, he noticed remnants of survival. Faint scorch marks on stones hinted at a controlled use of fire. Small animal remains—bones and stripped meat—were scattered neatly in a corner, a sign they'd been hunting the sparse wildlife for food.

The faint glow of the light at the island's center pulsed in the distance, a beacon calling them all forward. Nur adjusted his goggles and set his jaw, determination burning in his chest.

The cold wind howled as he marched into the unknown, leaving the ruins—and his brief companions—behind.

—day 3