Relics: The Ashes of a Lost World

The metallic footsteps echoed louder, reverberating through the ruins with a deliberate rhythm. Thud… Thud… Thud. Nur's flames flickered faintly at his fingertips, their warm glow casting erratic shadows on the stone walls. His sharp gaze darted toward the hooded figure as they repeated, "Run."

Ade hesitated, his grip tightening on his relic. "Who are you?"

Nur's thoughts raced as the figure snapped, "There's no time for that!" and disappeared into the dark corridor.

"Great. Mysterious strangers are always trustworthy," Nur muttered under his breath, his flames dimming slightly as he rolled his eyes. He didn't like this—too many unknowns, too many moving pieces.

The ground trembled violently as a low CLANK rang out. Something massive stirred deeper within the ruins.

"Move now, argue later!" Ade shouted, sprinting after the figure.

Nur gritted his teeth, reluctantly following. His body moved instinctively, flames flickering brighter as the pounding footsteps grew heavier behind them.

Thud… Thud…

He glanced over his shoulder as Ade did, catching the ominous glow of red lights—three pairs, monstrous and unrelenting.

"Three of them?!" Ade yelled.

"Keep running!" the hooded figure called back, their voice steady despite the chaos.

BOOM!

Nur shielded his face as stone and snow collapsed nearby, debris choking the air. He coughed, his flames flaring involuntarily as he kept pace with Ade.

"Left!" the figure shouted.

Nur and Ade skidded into the turn, the grinding claws of the Merchas echoing ominously behind them. His instincts screamed at him to stop trusting this stranger, but his logical mind knew he had no better options.

The group stumbled into a chamber etched with glowing symbols, the hum beneath the ground slowing as Savannah raised a hand. Nur collapsed against the wall, extinguishing the flames in his hands. His chest heaved as he muttered, "Don't tell me we're just gonna do this all day."

"They won't enter here," the hooded figure said, pulling back her hood to reveal her face—sharp eyes and calm demeanor.

Ade steadied himself against Opa. "Who are you?"

"Savannah Cole," she replied. "I've been here longer than you."

Nur straightened, narrowing his eyes. "Cole?" he said, his tone laced with suspicion. His mind raced with memories of her. He didn't capture a good look of her actual face before they parted ways during their encounter.

"Nur," Savannah replied evenly, her gaze unflinching.

Ade's eyes flicked between them, his curiosity piqued. "You two know each other?"

"She's not what she seems," Nur said sharply, his fists tightening.

Savannah sighed, clearly tired of the tension. "Relax, Nur. I don't have time for grudges. If I wanted you dead, you'd know it."

Nur's flames flared faintly at the jab. "You're not exactly trustworthy."

Savannah folded her arms, her tone cooling further. "You think I like this situation? My relic isn't like yours. It doesn't let me blast things or swing a staff around. It mimics other relic abilities—temporarily. I can't defend myself unless I borrow something."

Ade frowned. "Borrow? What does that mean?"

Savannah's gaze flickered to Nur. "You've seen it. When I first arrived, I had nothing. No mimicked abilities. You would've done the same thing if you were me."

Nur scowled, his mind replaying her manipulations. "You tried to use me."

"And you're alive, aren't you?" Savannah shot back, her voice sharp. "I did what I had to do. I wasn't about to get torn apart by those merchas. And neither of you would've survived out there without me."

The room fell silent except for the pulsing hum of the ruins. Nur's thoughts swirled as he processed her words. She's always two steps ahead. How can I trust someone like that?

Ade finally spoke, cutting through the tension. "So what now? Why are we here?"

Savannah's expression softened slightly. "This island isn't random. It's testing us—reacting to us. The Merchas, the ruins… everything. I don't know who brought us here, but I know where we need to go."

Nur's eyes narrowed. "Where?"

"The center of the island," Savannah replied. "The light you've both seen? It's more than just a beacon. I've followed every path I could, and they all lead there. That's where the answers are."

Ade's grip tightened on Opa. "And you want us to just trust you?"

"You don't have to," Savannah said flatly. "But you're out of options."

A faint rumble echoed through the chamber, growing louder.

Thrum… Thrum…

Nur tensed, flames sparking faintly in his hands. "They're moving again."

Savannah turned toward another exit. "We can't stay here. The Merchas will adapt and find a way in."

Nur's eyes narrowed further. "Wait. I thought you said this room keeps them out. You said they can't enter."

Savannah paused, glancing back with an unreadable expression. "I lied."

"What?" Ade snapped, turning toward her.

Savannah sighed, unfazed. "If I told you they could get in, you'd panic. This place slows them down—it doesn't stop them. I needed you both to stay calm."

Nur's flames flared brighter as his frustration boiled over. "Unbelievable," he muttered.

Savannah's gaze was steady. "Believe this—they're coming. Stay here and argue if you want, but I'm leaving."

Ade exchanged a tense glance with Nur. This is reckless, Nur thought, watching Savannah move toward the exit.

Thud… Thud…

Savannah gestured sharply toward another passage. "We'll get to the center faster if we split up. I'll take the left path. You two take the right. If you're smart, you'll follow it."

Ade shook his head. "Splitting up? That's a terrible idea."

"It's smarter," Savannah replied, her voice clipped. "I can move faster alone. I'll meet you both at the center. If you're too slow, you'll just be in my way."

Nur scoffed. "How convenient."

"Think what you want," Savannah said. "But if you want answers, you'll follow that path."

Ade finally relented. "Fine. But you'd better show up."

Savannah pulled her hood back up, her eyes lingering on Nur. "Try not to burn everything down before you get there."

Nur watched her disappear into the shadows. "I really don't trust her."

"Neither do I," Ade muttered. "But she's right about one thing—we don't have a choice."

Nur sighed, extinguishing the flames as they turned toward the other passage. This better not get me killed, he thought grimly, following Ade into the unknown.