At the river's edge, Zane stood, a dark figure against the early morning calm. His posture rigid, movements deliberate, he was a tempest barely contained, every line of his body radiating a cold fury. Beside him, Greasebag, his presence a stark contrast, trembled not from the chill of the dawn but from the palpable fear of retribution. His eyes, wide and darting, reflected the terror of his imminent fate, seeking mercy where none was to be found.
With a sudden move, Zane forced Greasebag's head beneath the water's surface. The river, a silent witness to this act of vengeance, rippled angrily around them. Greasebag's hands clawed desperately at Zane's iron grip. The bubbles of his panic surfacing with each futile attempt to breathe, transported Zane back to the horrors of the previous night.
Zane's consciousness surged back as he found himself submerged in a relentless torrent, the force of the water hurling him against the walls of Healer Aunt's abode where he had sought rest, bandaged up, recovering from his fight against bandits. The night's silence had been shattered moments earlier by a deafening roar, a catastrophic sound followed by an unstoppable flood of water, which barely allowed the villagers time to realize what was happening.
As Zane fought against the current, his eyes captured the chaos unfolding around him: objects that spoke of daily life now adrift. Struggling to breathe, he clawed his way through the inundated house, desperation lending him strength. With a herculean effort, he thrust a piece of iron from the debris upward, shattering the mud-brick ceiling to break free into the air above, gasping for breath as he emerged from the watery grasp.
The town of Dovira lay before him, submerged and unrecognizable, large chunks of debris floating amidst the swirling waters, the air pierced by the distant, desperate cries for help. Zane's heart clenched at the sight, the urgency of saving Healer Aunt propelling him back beneath the water's surface. Holding his breath, he navigated the submerged labyrinth to another room, where the lifeless form of Healer Aunt floated eerily. Pulling her body close, Zane's gaze froze on the crimson cloud unfurling in the water, with a broken piece of wooden furniture brutally lodged in her throat.
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Pain and grief overwhelmed Zane, visible through his eyes as he lent out a muted cry enveloped by water around him. Zane made his way back above the house out of water again.
Emerging again, Zane scanned the landscape. Amidst the devastation, he witnessed signs of survival; people clung to floating debris for life. Then, his gaze found General Idris, a beacon of hope, rallying villagers to safety. Their eyes met; relief and determination reflected back.
Zane jumped into the water again to swim through and find Maya's house which was about a hundred yards from Healer Aunt's. Reaching near Maya's home, he found Maya and a couple of elders battling the merciless waters. Maya’s breath was labored; the weight of the situation pressed down on them all.
"Maya, are you okay?" Zane asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine, Zarin," Maya replied, her voice trembling. "We need to get to higher ground."
"Where is Healer Aunt?" Maya inquired. Zane was rendered speechless, but his tearful eyes conveyed the tragedy. Maya tried to uplift Zane, "Okay, pull yourself together, Myrathian Elite Soldier. We need to make it to the town center; it's the strongest and tallest structure here. I hope they taught you to swim well in your training because I'm not a great swimmer." A sobbing Zane nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, I'll help you."
Maya, seizing the hand of one of the elders who was with her, pushed it towards Zane, "Help the elders first; I'll be fine here." Zane, with all his might, took the elders one by one, swimming to the town's center.
Each time he left, fear gnawed at him: Would he find Maya upon his return? His relief was palpable when he finally came back for her, finding her safe. As Zane approached, the brick house on which Maya had been perched partially collapsed, dragging her down. In a panic, Zane dove in deep. As he reached her, the structure completely gave way, trapping them under the water.
Using every ounce of his strength, Zane struggled to break free but couldn't. He saw Maya drowning when a hand from behind grasped Zane, pulling him to the surface where he gasped for air, calling out for Maya. It was Idris who had pulled him out. Pushing Idris aside, Zane took another deep breath and dove back under, searching fruitlessly for Maya until he no longer could hold his breath, and the escaping brought him back to present.
Greasebag's body had finally stilled, the last bubbles of air long escaping from him. Zane let go of the body, realizing that his vengeance had brought no peace. Walking away from the riverbank, he collapsed to the ground, curled up and sobbing, overwhelmed by grief.