Relics: The Ashes of a Lost World

The Mercha growled low—GRRRKK—its metallic tones cutting through the icy air. Ade planted his feet in the snow, tracking the beast's deliberate movements. He'd trained for fights before, but nothing like this.

Thud. The beast lunged, its jagged limbs tearing through the ground. Ade dodged, rolling aside. Crunch… Whoosh. The claws narrowly missed, raking into the snow where he'd been standing.

His hand found a broken metal rod, cold and unbalanced but better than nothing. "Come on," he muttered, his free hand instinctively reaching for something unseen. "Now would be a good time."

The beast reared back—Rumble… Hissss.—before charging again.

Ade swung the rod with all his strength. CLANG. It struck the Mercha's side, barely leaving a mark. The beast pivoted, its glowing red eyes locking onto him.

"Damn it," Ade hissed, his breaths quickening. THUD. He fell into the snow again as the machine loomed over him, claws raised high.

BOOM!

A streak of fire ripped through the air—WHOOSH!—slamming into the Mercha's side. The machine screeched—KRRREEEE!—as flames licked its frame. Another burst struck its joint, forcing it back.

"Get up," a sharp voice called.

Ade groaned and stood, spotting a lean figure emerging from the haze. Flames flickered faintly around his hands, casting an orange glow.

The stranger glanced at the Mercha before muttering, "Guess I got here just in time." WHOOMPH! Another fireball struck the Mercha, sending sparks flying.

"You're welcome," the stranger said, glancing at Ade.

"I didn't ask for your help," Ade replied defensively, brushing snow off his clothes.

"You didn't have to," the stranger said flatly, walking toward the Mercha's remains. Sizzle… Smoke rose from the charred metal. "Looked like you were about to get flattened."

Ade ignored the jab, stepping closer to the wreckage. Hummmm. "They're called Mercha. Leftovers from before the Great Collapse. No one knows how they're made, but they're dangerous… unpredictable."

"Yeah, I know that much," the stranger replied, crouching beside him. He ran a hand over the intricate engravings. Thrum… Thrum. "But this one's different."

"Appears so. Maybe it's been modified… upgraded. Is that even possible?" Ade murmured, his curiosity sharpening. He glanced at the stranger.

"I'm Ade," he said finally.

"Nur," the stranger replied hesitantly.

"How'd you get here?" Ade asked, curiosity peaking.

"One minute I was home, next thing I knew, I woke up here," Nur said curtly. "You?"

"Same. Except I was walking. Then… nothing. Woke up in a cave."

Nur tilted his head. "And your relic?"

Ade stiffened. "I was trying to summon it."

Nur raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't look like it worked."

The words stung, but Ade didn't respond.

Nur motioned toward the horizon. "There's something glowing over there. Looks like ruins. We should check it out."

"We?" Ade asked skeptically.

"Unless you want to fight these things alone," Nur said with a smirk.

Ade's gaze lingered on the ruins, a strange mix of curiosity and dread settling in his chest. Hummm. He nodded finally. "Fine. But don't think I need saving."

"Right," Nur said, already walking ahead.

Ade followed, glancing back at the Mercha's strange engravings. Thrum… Thrum.

What is this place? And why does it feel like everything here is watching us?