Relics: The Ashes of a Lost World

The grinding metal footsteps echoed through the ruins. Thud… Thud… Thud. The sound was slow and deliberate, growing louder with each step.

"Run," the hooded figure repeated, their voice calm but urgent.

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

"There's no time for that!" the figure snapped, turning sharply and vanishing into the shadowed corridor.

Nur groaned. "Great. Mysterious strangers are always trustworthy."

THUD. CLANK. The ground trembled as something massive stirred deeper in the ruins.

"Move now, argue later!" Ade barked, sprinting after the stranger.

Nur didn't need to be told twice. Flames flickered around his hands as he followed, casting erratic shadows across the walls. The pounding footsteps behind them grew heavier, faster.

Ade risked a glance over his shoulder. Red lights flared to life—three glowing pairs, monstrous and relentless.

"Three of them?!" Ade shouted.

"Keep running!" the hooded figure called back.

BOOM. Stone and snow collapsed as one of the Merchas smashed through a wall. Debris rained down, choking the air.

"Left!" the figure yelled.

Ade skidded into the turn, Nur close behind, as the echo of grinding claws and shifting metal shook the passage behind them.

The group burst into a small chamber, its walls etched with glowing symbols. Savannah raised a hand, and the hum beneath the ground slowed.

Ade collapsed to a knee, chest heaving. Nur leaned against a wall, flames dimming as he tried to catch his breath. "Don't tell me we're just gonna do this all day," Nur muttered.

"They won't enter here," Savannah said, pulling back her hood. The light illuminated her face—sharp eyes, short black hair, and an expression of calm control.

Ade steadied himself against Opa, studying her warily. "Who are you?"

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

Nur straightened, his eyes narrowing. "Savannah?" He took a step forward, his tone cutting. "You!"

Savannah met his gaze evenly. "Nur."

Ade looked between them. "You two know each other?"

Nur's fists tightened. "She's not what she seems."

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

"You're not exactly trustworthy," Nur shot back.

Savannah folded her arms, her tone turning cold. "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. "You tried to use me."

"And you're alive, aren't you?" Savannah snapped. "Look, 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 for a beat, the hum of the ruins pulsing faintly.

Ade spoke up, 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 narrowed his eyes. "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 tightened his grip 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 flickering 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 frowned, narrowing his eyes at her. "Wait. I thought you said this room keeps them out. You said they can't enter."

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

"What?" Ade snapped, turning toward her.

Savannah sighed, unfazed by their reactions. "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 faintly brighter as he scowled. "Unbelievable," he muttered.

Savannah met his glare, her voice cold but even. "Believe this—they're coming. Stay here and argue if you want, but I'm leaving."

Ade exchanged a tense glance with Nur, his grip tightening on Opa. The ground trembled again, faint vibrations creeping through the floor.

Thud… Thud…

Savannah gestured sharply toward the exit. "We'll get to the center faster if we split up. I've already mapped part of the island. 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."

Savannah's expression didn't waver. "It's smarter. 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 replied, her tone clipped. "But if you want answers, you'll follow that path." She pointed at the passage on the right.

Ade exchanged a glance with Nur. The walls shook again, faint tremors vibrating through the ground.

Thud… Thud…

"Fine," Ade said finally. "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." Without another word, she disappeared through the far exit, her figure swallowed by shadow.

Nur watched her leave, fists still glowing faintly. "I really don't trust her."

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

Nur sighed, extinguishing the flames. "This path better not get us killed."

Ade managed a faint smirk. "If it does, at least you'll go out complaining."

Nur rolled his eyes but fell into step beside Ade as they turned toward the other passage.

Thud… Thud.

The tremors grew softer as they moved deeper into the ruins, the path narrowing and winding like a maze. Ahead, the faint glow of daylight peeked through cracks in the stone, promising a brief reprieve from the darkness.

Ade glanced at Nur as they walked. "You've met her before?"

Nur's expression darkened. "It's complicated. I'll explain later."

Ade didn't push further. The path ahead was unknown, the air growing colder with each step. And somewhere beyond, the center of the island awaited.