It was an ancient underground metropolis. The light that filtered in revealed the vastness of the city, stretching as far as the eye could see. Moonlight danced upon the surrounding water, casting a faded blue glow that reached up to the chasm ceiling. Rivers still flowed through the caverns, cascading down into naturally formed canals below.
Buildings of rock and stone, once home to hundreds, were now broken by the roots of dead trees, transforming perfectly made staircases into slanted remnants. Caved-in altars, pulled down by creeping vines, stood alongside faceless giant statues, their bladed weapons resting at their sides. These figures, encased in thick battle armor adorned with runes, towered over the city from stone obelisks. Archways divided sections of the metropolis, resilient against the mold that had claimed the area over the centuries.
The air was thick with the scent of cold stone, grass, and moist earth, mingled with the decay of dead leaves. The once-sprawling city felt like a tomb, locked away deep within the world. Wind whispered through the corridors, causing the grass to slide against one another with the crunch of brittle leaves.
“This place is immense. Can we get out of here?” Eve asked while admiring the majesty of such a place.
“Don’t worry. In underground caverns like this, explorers usually build two entrances to prevent cave-ins. How about that?” Sky chuckling to himself. Looking far out into the distance, the tallest building among all others stood a flat roofed pyramid, its incline broken up into big steps. Along its center laid a long staircase leading up to a huge stone door at the end.
“It looks like there is where we have to go.” Sky pointed out in the distance, his voice echoing through the stillness.
“How do you know?”
“It’s the highest point. If we can get there, it’ll be easier to find a way out of here.”
Eve traced Sky’s gaze up the pyramid. Despite the night light filtering in, dark areas cloaked the city.
“Are you alright?” Sky asked, sensing her inner turmoil.
“Yeah... yeah, I’m fine.” She noticed his concern, realizing it wasn’t just her thoughts that troubled her. Taking a deep breath, she confessed, “No, I’m not sure I can do this.”
“Look, we’re going to get out of here. I’ll even drag you out if I have to.” The teasing remark drew a chuckle from her.
“How can you be so sure? Who knows what we’ll find down there?” Eve waved her hands anxiously.
“I’m not…but whatever lies down there, we’ll take it together.” Sky replied.
They carefully made their way down the steep incline towards a giant stone archway marking the city’s entrance. The breeze was uncomfortably calm, almost too quiet, as they explored the cobweb-infested rooms. Unlike the remains in the cave, there were no bodies here—only pieces of empty clothing scattered around, as if the inhabitants had vanished without a trace.
As they walked, Sky suddenly felt a heavy sensation in his head. It was as if he were wading through a waterfall, immersed in the currents of life from those who had come before. Their souls lived in the homes he passed, guiding him through the city’s streets and alleys. He stopped in an open courtyard, willing himself to listen, to be still.
Faint whispers echoed through the ages, and he glimpsed the souls of those who had once lived here. Their images flickered like wisps of white smoke, oblivious to his presence, carrying on as if they were still alive. It felt as if a pinprick in the fabric of time had broken, leaking out the energy of ancient cosmic forces. Sky experienced a profound sense of sonder as he moved through the thick air, rich with echoes of their memories.
For hundreds of years, this place had been a sanctuary for countless lives, their struggles and triumphs ultimately leading to empty houses that would never shelter them again. The air was thick with the weight of forgotten memories, carrying whispers of laughter and sorrow that lingered like the scent of damp earth after a storm. Faint echoes of footsteps seemed to dance through the corridors, creating a haunting symphony of what once was.
The only traces of their existence were the intricate hieroglyphs and faded paintings left behind on the smooth rock slabs. Each stroke told a story, vibrant colors now muted by time, revealing scenes of daily life, celebrations, and moments of quiet reflection. As Sky moved through this poignant tapestry, he felt a connection to people he would never know, their spirits intertwining with his own in a delicate, ethereal embrace.
Amidst these flowing energies, he resolved to capture the beauty of the scene before him. He reached for his sketchbook, the rough texture of the paper grounding him as he sketched the haunting remnants of life that surrounded him. His pencil glided across the surface, etching memories into form—he felt an urgency to remember these precious moments, knowing they would inevitably fade into oblivion.
From a distance, Eve stood with the torch in her hands, its flickering light casting dancing shadows across the stone walls. The warmth of the flame contrasted with the cool air, creating a cocoon of safety as she watched Sky’s passionate engagement with his surroundings. In that moment, it was as if the world had faded away, leaving just the two of them in a timeless space.
It was the first time she saw him let his guard down, his usually tense demeanor replaced by a quiet intensity. He lost himself in a world where no one else existed, consumed by the beauty and history around him. A sense of pride swelled within her, and she couldn’t help but smile, the glow of the torch illuminating her features as she admired the connection he forged with the past.
Kiran freed herself from Eve’s grasp and ventured deeper into the city, not as if she were exploring, but with a clear purpose.
“Kiran? What's wrong?” Eve called after her.
“I know this place,” Kiran replied, her voice steady.
Sky and Eve exchanged puzzled glances and hurried to catch up. As Kiran picked up speed, she rushed into one of the larger stone houses in the upper area. They followed her inside to find her standing in the middle of what had once been a living room. Although decrepit, the place seemed designed for wealthier residents.
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White and gold marble decorations, along with valuable ornaments, adorned the stone enclosure. As Kiran stared into the room, apparitions of a man and woman materialized before her. They were joyfully working on something together—a rocking horse for a child. Their faces radiated happiness and pride.
“Mommy? Daddy?” Kiran's voice trembled, breaking the stillness.
“What?” Eve and Sky exchanged bewildered looks.
Kiran kept calling out, her hope building that they might respond. Eventually, the man and woman turned to her, their faces lighting up with cheery smiles and open arms, as if they were eagerly awaiting a surprise.
She dashed toward them, longing to embrace them, but the moment was fleeting. Their forms faded as they passed through her, the last images of their smiling faces vanishing into the air. Coldness and emptiness now filled the once warm home.
Kiran continued to call out to her parents, her voice growing softer as she realized she would receive no answers. Tears welled in Eve’s eyes as she watched, understanding the profound loss Kiran felt. The little girl had lost everything. Turning to face them, Kiran let the tears roll down her cheeks.
“I’m home.” She wiped her eyes and ran into Sky and Eve’s arms.
“Thank you,” she whispered into their ears, wanting to leave with a happy memory as she smiled at what had once been her home.
“Do you see them too?” Sky asked, and Kiran replied with a gentle nod.
Suddenly, the winds shifted, and an eerie silence blanketed the area, as if the soul of the cave itself were holding its breath.
A malice entity echoed from all directions, its tone corrosive with a high-pitched sting that pierced their ears. “Who are you?”
Unbeknownst to them, a towering rock pillar shook free from its resting place and floated into the air. Sky and Eve exchanged alarmed glances, and only then did Sky notice the trembling pillar making its way toward them. Darkness enveloped its form, and the rock quivered like a blur in the air. For a moment, they could only stare in confusion before the object lunged at them with blinding speed.
Sky pushed Eve and Kiran out of the way just as the falling stone grazed him, barely missing its mark.
“Turn back! Do not approach!” the chilling whisper echoed, sending shivers through the air.
Eve and Kiran tumbled, rolling down a steep flight of stairs. They scrambled to get back up, but the way was now blocked, the colliding rock separating them. They were trapped, alone in the city’s labyrinth.
“Eve? Kiran? Are you okay?” Sky called out from beyond the stones that had split them apart.
“We’re here!” Eve cried.
“I can’t get around to you!”
“Go on without me. We’ll find a way around,” she urged, her adrenaline masking her fear.
“You will go no further!” the dark voice spat bitterly.
Sky glanced toward the distant pyramid, where a figure stood silhouetted at its peak. The moonlight glistened off his form—he wasn’t imagining it after all. Another nearby rock broke away from its foundations, rocking as it rose into the air. Sky immediately sprinted for cover, darting through the tight alleyways of the city, seeking refuge in the shadows as the stone flung toward him once more. He fixed his gaze on the pyramid, running toward it and using the buildings as cover.
It didn’t take long for Eve to succumb to her fears, cloaked in darkness. The shadows closed in around her, and her thoughts became a jumble, slowing her movements to a crawl. She felt trapped in the narrowing alleyways, panic rising within her. Just as despair threatened to take hold, Kiran took her hand, grounding her in the moment. Together, they hurried to escape the claustrophobic confines, eager to reunite with Sky as he made his way toward the pyramid.
High above the city, the man watched with piercing eyes, darting left and right as he searched for Sky's presence. Like a still lake disturbed by ripples, he sensed the disturbance deep within the shadows of the city. With a flick of his hands, rocks hurtled through the air, aimed at crushing all intruders and leaving chaos in their wake. Yet Sky remained patient, knowing that victory was impossible from a distance; he had to get closer. He bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment amidst the chaos, slipping through the openings as he moved steadily forward.
“If you will not leave, you will choose death, just like those before you,” the voice echoed in his mind.
“Enough with the riddles!” Sky whispered to himself, finding a solid hiding spot beneath the cover of the buildings. The rocks wouldn’t be able to reach him here. The pyramid was within sight now.
“I shall show you,” the man replied, bringing his hands together to focus his power. He felt Sky drawing nearer, the ripples in his lake turning into splashes. He knew where Sky was hiding.
A blast of energy surged from the top of the pyramid, sending a gust of wind that shook the ground beneath Sky's feet. He tilted his head back, wincing as a sharp, piercing sound resonated in his ears—much more intense than the energies that had revealed the smoke-like apparitions before.
In the blink of an eye, the cold, damp stone surroundings transformed. Night inexplicably turned to day, and he stood in the warm light of the sun. People bustled around him, living their ordinary lives, unaware of his presence.
“What is this?” He rubbed his eyes, trying to dispel the hallucination.
“Hello, mister! Are you lost?” A child approached him, smiling brightly.
“You can see me?” Sky asked, astonished.
“Of course I can, silly! Do you want to play with us?” The child beamed with innocence, taking Sky's hand and leading him into an open area. Unbeknownst to him, he had stepped into full view, and as the rocks broke free from their foundations, the chaos around them intensified.
Eve and Kiran slipped quietly into a small patch of moonlight, the silvery glow illuminating their faces and casting elongated shadows on the cobblestone ground. As Eve took a moment to relax and calm her racing mind, she inhaled the cool, damp air, filled with the earthy scent of moss and ancient stone. Suddenly, Sky stepped into view. At first, she felt a surge of relief at finding him again, but something was off. He walked as if in a trance, his gaze distant and unfocused, oblivious to the world around him.
“What’s wrong with him?” Kiran cried out, her voice tinged with concern, cutting through the stillness of the night.
“I don’t know,” Eve replied, her voice trembling with an oncoming dread that twisted in her gut.
Sky seemed to converse with someone invisible, completely unaware of the giant floating rocks that were moving ominously toward him, dark shapes gliding through the air like malevolent spirits. The wind picked up, rustling the leaves and whispering secrets through the shadows, creating an unsettling atmosphere that made the hairs on the back of Eve’s neck stand on end.
Eve called out again, each plea laced with desperation, her voice echoing in the eerie silence. But Sky remained in a daze, unresponsive. Fearing for him, she fought against the instinct to hide, her heart pounding in her chest as adrenaline surged. She broke into a run, faster than she had ever moved before, the sound of her footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath her.
“Eve, no!” Kiran yelled, sprinting after her, her voice a frantic plea against the backdrop of chaos.
In the strange world Sky found himself in, he could faintly hear Eve’s voice calling out, a flickering echo that shimmered like a mirage in the distance. “What’s wrong, mister?” the child beside him asked, concern etching itself into the innocent features that now seemed surreal in this distorted reality.
“Something’s not right,” Sky murmured, his voice barely a whisper. As he spoke, the lively scene around him froze, as if the very air had thickened with tension. All eyes turned to him, the warmth of their smiles twisting into cold, pale masks that sent a shiver down his spine.
Eve’s voice echoed louder, her running footsteps pounding against the ground, each step drawing closer through the thick haze that surrounded him. At that moment, the gemstone at his side glowed with powerful light, its radiant energy cutting through the darkness and shattering the illusion that had entranced him. The floating rocks, now held by the dark claws of the unseen figure, hurtled toward him like missiles, the air crackling with their ominous presence.