Ananiel

A pillar of fire crawls along the restaurant walls,

splashing the gray cobblestone road,

with orange, red and yellow waves.

Soot-filled smoke plumes up to the sky,

Staining the murky gray clouds black.

Harsh heat blasts out the shattered windows,

riding along the icy winter wind.

The bitter smoke breezes past our aching eyes

as ashen flakes drift to the ground.

The roaring flames flicker against the cold air as ash falls from the sky. Trails of Soot mark the cobblestone road. Monty sat on the ground, hugging his knees.

“No…”

Tears drip down his face as he gazes at the fire. Numbness runs across his quivering palms. Harsh heat crawls around us, enveloping us with tart, sour scents. A bitter taste rests on our gritty tongues as disgusting smoke wafts into our nostrils. Hurried footsteps rush down the cobblestone. A gathering of priests in black robes forms in front of the fire. A familiar face walks towards us,

“Explain Clover, what happened here?”

Cecil asks as I rub my aching hands together.

“I...I don’t know. Where do I even start?”

Fragmented memories stir in my head, but nothing seemed to make sense.

“It happened too quickly.”

I mutter under my breath as I press my hand against my forehead. Noticing my confusion, Cecil walks over to Lily.

“How about you? Can you explain what happened here?”

Lily stares off at the fire for a moment before answering,

“We were visiting the owner of this establishment because our good friend on the ground recommended this place. However, the owner was too weak to get out of bed. Something happened in-between, but I wouldn’t know.”

Cecil nods and gives a pitiful look at Monty.

“We’ll talk more about this later. But this is definitely unusual. For now, we must quell this damned fire.”

Taking a confident step towards the rest of the priests, they all reach their arms out towards the fire.

O Ithax, grant us the command over fire

They all chant together as the fire Swirls, twisting into a ball. Wooden beams fall to the ground as the fire raises up into the air.

O’ essence of the eternal flame, return from which thou came.

Suddenly the orb of fire vanishes into thin air as howling screams echo throughout the priests.

“What a beautiful light!”

A priest cries out as a sickening sulfurous flame sprays out of his eyes. Streaks of orange and yellow stain the cobblestone road like a water paint canvas.

“I see it! The truth of this world! It’s all meaningless, everything that I have done and will do. It doesn’t matter!”

The priest’s sickening laughter howls above the cacophony of groans and screams. Suddenly, a crimson red line flies through his throat, lobbing his head off.

“Shut it, you disdaining bastard”

Tears trail down Lily’s angry face as her breath hazes her heavy glasses. A crimson color streaks down her blonde hair like blood flowing down a golden meadow. I couldn’t help but stare in awe. Such a brutal, and simplistic method of ending one’s life. Lily turns towards me, her piercing eyes quiver in anger and sadness

“No, this is wrong…”

Her regretful tone aches at my heart. Hiding away her left hand, Lily heads over to Monty who was weeping in his arms.

“Come on now. If you stay out here for too long, you’ll catch a cold.”

Gently patting his back, she stands up and starts walking off. Monty and I look to each other,

“Let’s get going now, shall we?”

I ask as Monty nods slightly and slowly gets up from the ground.

We wander around the seemingly endless labyrinth of streets. A turn left, and a turn right, as remarkable of a city Idosa was, its luster was long gone. Rust crawled up the street lamps, hidden beneath flakes of peeling iron and snow. It was an unremarkable evening, one filled with silence and grief.

The passing day felt like a fever dream. Lily locked herself in her room and Monty was gone. I was left alone to tend to my own things.

“A drink please”

I ask the tavern keeper as he slides me some ale. The taste of fermentation and alcohol runs down my throat.

“...did you hear? Last night, Isabella’s restaurant got set on fire...”

“...Oh no! How did that happen?...”

“...The perpetrator has not been found. The cause is unknown. Everything was burnt to the ground…”

“...Well I be damned. Luckily it wasn’t us…”

“...ya, poor soul…”

I slam the mug on the barside and get up to leave the tavern, throwing 3 tin on the table. Snow started to fall from the sky, swaying so gently against the numbing wind. People pass by, some scorning the delicate snow, hoping it would pass by. Others continue forward, too focused on their own day to appreciate the snowflakes. Was I happy, or am I sad? My flushed face sting. A lingering scent of smoke rides the gentle and dull breeze.

“Does it even matter? Whatever I’m doing?”

I ask to the road frosted with snow. I ask the flowing clouds covering the sky. But to no response. Letting out a sigh, I aimlessly wander around the city.

The sounds of music echo with the wind. Traveling throughout the alleyways and streets. A lone figure draped in a brown cloak with a wide brimmed hat pressed down on his bamboo flute. An airy, husk and delicate melody flows through the flute. As if the wind itself sang through the figure’s instrument. Trying to pass by, I continue forward.

“Halt”

A rather feminine voice calls out as she sticks her flute in front of me.

“Can I ask, are you with the watchers?”

Nodding, I look at her with hollowed eyes.

“Why ask?”

“I have a task for you. I heard the watcher has lost contact with Edward and his son. We know they're both in Idosa, and it looks like you have nothing better to do. Might as well use that time to search.”

“Fine”

I say, with a hint of irritation. She lowers her flute and I walk past. After what felt like hours of walking the same scenery, a voice perks up from behind me.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

The bamboo flute player asks. I shudder, turning around in surprise.

“Why are you following me?”

She shrugs and lets out a laugh,

“You wandered in a full circle. I never moved. Are you that lost in your thoughts? Did something bad happen?”

I looked back at the footsteps on the snow and confirmed her claim.

“That can’t be right!”

I exclaim loudly as she shrugs once more,

“Believe what you want. But you’ve got a task to do. If you’re not feeling well then do it later.”

I stood still for a moment, before letting out what little air I had left.

“Fine, If I keep going at this rate, I will run circles over and over again. I need some time to clear up my mind.”

My legs give in as I collapse onto a nearby bench. The cold air tingles my flushed face as I let out a puff of cloudy air. Maybe the clouds will clear up? I wouldn’t know.