Relics: The Ashes of a Lost World

The house was quiet, the kind of silence that only came deep in the night. Nur couldn't sleep. The throbbing pain in his body mirrored the restless storm in his mind.

As Nur sat in his room that night, staring at the cieling of his room, Taye's words lingered in his mind.

He thought about the world outside the Academy walls, the life his family lived in the village. Most people never encountered a relic, let alone used one. Relics were the rarest treasures, discovered deep within ancient ruins left behind by a civilization wiped out during the Great Collapse. These ruins, scattered across the world, were filled with remnants of a forgotten age: towering structures buried beneath the sands, otherworldly cities swallowed by the oceans, and underground complexes teeming with strange, creatures of unfathomable engineering—Merchas.

The big families, adventurers, and explorers were the ones who dared venture into these ruins, braving the dangers to unearth relics. But even among the ruins, relics were a rarity, often protected by the ruins' defenses or simply never revealed. And even if a relic was found, it didn't mean it would work for just anyone—it had to choose its wielder. The relics varied in power, from low-tier tools like barrels that spewed metals with a thunderous scream, to S-Tier relics capable of reshaping reality.

But for the rest of the world—everyday people like his parents and neighbors—artifacts were what shaped their lives. Unlike relics, artifacts were objects from the ruins that humanity had managed to decipher, understand, and replicate. They were more practical and mundane, things like electric cooking glass surfaces, water purifiers, or even farming tools able to do the work of a 1000 men at once. These artifacts were mass-produced using the knowledge gained from the ruins, forming the backbone of modern life.

For most, artifacts were a blessing, making life more convenient and comfortable. But they were a far cry from relics, which carried an almost mythical status.

Nur's family, like many others, lived off the land, using a mix of traditional methods and artifact-driven innovations to survive. In the villages, people repaired and maintained artifacts like they were ancient heirlooms, knowing that without them, life would be far harsher. Yet, no matter how many artifacts surrounded them, relics remained distant dreams—symbols of power, wealth, and influence.

He sighed, as he turned to his side. The gap between those with relics and those without felt insurmountable. Relics were the keys to power and change, while artifacts were the tools of survival.

Unable to sleep, Nur wandered into the basement. It was a place filled with old memories—his grandparents' belongings, dusty furniture, and forgotten artifacts.

As he moved a stack of old crates, his hand brushed against a loose panel on the wall. Curious, he pushed it aside, revealing a hidden compartment.

Inside was a staircase leading down to a small, dimly lit room. The walls were lined with shelves holding journals, and strange artifacts. But one object caught Nur's attention—a small box resting on a pedestal at the center of the room.

He approached it slowly, his heartbeat quickening. The box was unassuming, its surface worn and scratched, but it radiated a faint energy that pulled him closer.

On it was a writing carved into it—Aso Ina

Nur opened the box. Inside was a pair of goggles... unlike anything Nur had ever seen.

The frames were crafted from a sleek, dark metal that seemed to shift subtly under the dim light, like liquid shadows. Intricate, glowing patterns were etched along the edges, pulsing faintly with an inner energy. The lenses dark but reflective of what little light is left of the surrounding, as if hidding whatever eyes may rest behind it. A faint hum emanated from them, rhythmic and alive, resonating with a power that felt both ancient and otherworldly.

"A relic?" Nur muttered, confused, as questions flooded his mind.

The moment Nur's fingers grazed the cold, smooth frame, a jolt of energy surged through his body, electrifying every nerve. The goggles seemed to come alive at his touch, the etched patterns along the frame flaring to life with a blazing red glow. A comforting warmth spread from his fingertips, flowing through his arms and settling deep within his chest.

Before Nur could comprehend his discovery, the room around him blurred. A blinding light consumed his vision, and the world seemed to fall away.