Disclaimer; the use of an em dash (—) doesn't indicate AI. This book is entirely written and edited by the Author.
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Scarlet sunrays bled through the clouds. Drowning the floating city in a bewitching twilight.
Dilapidated buildings scattered like weathered rocks. Tall, decaying chapels that prayed to the unknown, old chimneys that breathed heavy smoke, and aged lanterns glimmered from homes burdened with soot.
As people went along their day, some clad in tunics, others in tattered shirts, the cacophony of their bustling voices and steam engines echoed in the air, shattering what remained of serenity.
"Czar, don't forget to do the dishes when Isoma is done." Czar's mother, Ava, called from the kitchen, his placid expression turning sour instantly.
Isoma was the neighbour's daughter. Seventeen, just as Czar. They never got along, Czar was the brutish rascal, and Isoma? The epitome of a good daughter.
"Tsk, that pretentious twig." He rolled his eyes.
'Can't wait to be done here and move to the capital.'
Even though they never got along, it was to Czar's dismay that they had to always bump into each other since they shared the same backyard. Such was life in the outskirts of Ebonspire, where resources were fraught with rot and population spike.
"U-uncle, uncle, ma."
Lost in thoughts, the tender, childlike voice that reached Czar's ears disrupted his attention, his eyes softening.
"Hey, tadpole, when did you get here." He laughed, ruffling his niece's short, blonde hair.
Rather than replying, Aliya protruded her tongue laughing, but before she could savour teasing her uncle, Czar grabbed her and tossed her into the air, his arms wide, ready to catch her.
"Hahaha." Aliyah's laughter cracked in the parlour as the wind fluttered her oversized, hazel dress.
"Now that's my tadpole. Not like the crybaby you used to be." He smiled as she fell into his embrace.
"Heyy… What's Elira and mum feeding you these days?"
He heaved, his brain processing the weight that just threatened to pull his arms apart.
"I can swear no one was overfeeding me when I was your age."
"Oh please, that's a lie." A lush, feminine voice resounded from the distant corner, making Czar and Aliya turn in that direction.
"Ah, speak of the devil."
"Ma-ma,"
Both of them blurted, seeing the approaching slender figure. Her face dazzling with warmth.
"You were twice as heavy when you were just one, and that's half Aliyah's age, you this little brat." She glared, albeit fake, which made Czar's lips curl.
"We both know that's not true, you and mum just want to work me to death."
"Or you're just lazy."
"Lazy enough to leave this shithole."
"And go where?" Elira snickered, sinking to the wooden chair next to her.
"Who knows, somewhere far and beautiful."
"Somewhere none of us have to work our ass off." Czar's eyes twinkled, daydreaming.
"Like the capital, right?" Elira's facial muscles fought back to hide her derision.
"At least you're selfless enough. Sorry to break it to you, though, we are stuck here."
"As if I don't know that much." Czar frowned, biting his lower lip.
"But wait." His head jerked, glancing at Elira with spilling wariness.
"Did you just step out?" He lowered his voice, his eyes wide, unblinking.
"Mum knew about it. " Elira shrugged, dropping her voice as well.
"That's too risky. What if they find you? I heard there's a heavy patrol this time, could it be that they've discovered you? Are they going to-"
"Hey, easy there. "
"My bad, my stupid little brother still cares for this old bone." Elira burst into laughter, seeing her frantic brother.
"Well, I had to see the village healer today. The chest aches worsened, and who knows, I might end up collapsing one day, isn't that worse than being captured by the military?"
"But,"
"No but, I'll be fine. And even if they discovered me, so what? It's not as if they'd kill me or something, I'll just…" Elira's fingers clasped her dress.
"I'll just work at the factory for a while, and I'll be free. Who knows, I might end up catching the attention of one high-ranking officer. " She forced out laughter, masking her momentary strained emotions.
"That's not funny." Czar looked her dead in the eye, his tone dour.
"I'm stepping out," he said, heading for the door, but not so fast, Aliyah with her tiny legs, had already bumped into him.
"Uncle — go." She pointed at him, then the door.
"Tadpole loves uncle too much, alright, let's go do the dishes." He pecked her cheeks, grinning.
"Stop calling her tadpole, you weird little thing." Elira yelled, hurling a paper ball that drifted in another direction.
"As if she doesn't like it, right, tadpole?"
"Um." Aliyah nodded, making Czar gloat as he dashed towards the door, his niece in one arm.
As they left, Ava entered, sighting Elira. They both shared a striking resemblance. Tall, long, raven hair that fell behind their shoulders and olive skin that blended with their earth toned, old garments.
"We'll be out of here soon, and you won't work at the factory." She murmured, her soft, slender hands comforting Elira.
"Mum, you know I'm not as naive as Czar, right?" Elira met Ava's gaze.
" I mean, it's okay. We don't have to push ourselves too hard, we're doing just fine."
"Aren't you afraid of-"
"It doesn't matter, we're good." Elira drew her mother in a warm embrace, both basking in the comforting silence.
Whimpering in understanding, she released her as they walked towards the broken window, their sights not leaving Czar and Aliyah.
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"The atmosphere feels heavy, is it about to rain?" Czar furrowed his eyes, as he dipped an old wooden plate foaming with soap into another basin filled with turbid water.
"Tadpole, you should go inside before you catch cold."
"I don't want your mother's-"
THUD!
The basin beside him split into two as he found himself and Aliyah flung on the ground. His vision blurred for a few seconds as a sharp pain zapped through his head.
"Aliya." He bellowed, seeing her forehead bleed.
However, before he could grab her and rise to the floor, the scarlet sun darkened, casting an ominous shadow to the world as a twisted abomination blocked it rays.
"T-the." Czar froze, his mind blank, and then….
An earthquake thundered across the entire city, followed by an earth-shattering bang.
Wrapping his arms around Aliya on instinct, his eyes locked on a figure in the distance. A sharp pole impaled her neck, and it tore through her stomach, splattering blood and intestine on the ground.
"I-isoma."