Fading

The night is almost at its end. Simon had already shooed Annie out of his room (despite her whining), and was now laying on his bed yet again; not to sleep, but to absorb what he had learned. He could hear the sound of the beasts outside. As he thought about the strange world around him, and what he had seen in it, he couldn't help but wonder; which of those things out there would try and kill him- and which would he have to kill in return?

Even as he engaged in these somber thoughts, his ears atop his head twitch. Someone's about to knock on the door.

*Knock Knock.*

There it is.

"Yes?"

"It's Joel. It's time to meet the elder. No one else is likely to be awake, so this is the best time to avoid questions from other... curious villagers. Prepare yourself."

And as soon as he came, he walks away into the corridor.

Simon stretches over and hooks his cloak over on a claw, before throwing it over his torso. His 'skirt' is already on, so not much preparation is needed for him to be ready.

(Today's the big day huh? Yesterday was the most hectic day of my life... At least as far as I can remember in detail. I've got a lot of questions for this elder dude.)

Simon gets up, ready for the day, and pushes open the door with a smoldering flame of determination within his small chest.

******************************************

"Bweh... why do we have to be awake so early? I'm tired..."

"You'll find out when we get there. How are you even tired? We even got back early yesterday!"

A bleary eyed Annie was complaining, and as a result reprimanded by Joel.

(This is why you should get outta my room earlier ya nerd.)

Ignoring Annie's teary eyes as she glanced in Simon's direction, they walked toward the mage Samuel who was standing near the front door.

"Sorry to let myself in. Oh, you actually are bringing Annie? You know what her parents would think-"

"She deserves to know." Joel said shortly.

Samuel goes silent, and stares at Joel's face before shrugging. "...Alright. You were closer to them then I was after all."

Annie just has a confused look on her face, not understanding the situation. "Huh? Wait, what's going on?"

Neither of the men answer, and instead walk toward an old looking hut at the edge of town in silence; this gives Simon some time to think.

(I hadn't seen Annie's parents nearby, and no one talked about them... Are they dead? Or just missing? And she keeps talking about her little brother, but I haven't seen him around here either. This entire scenario is... unsettling. And where is everyone? Even though the sun has only barely started to rise, there should be something to indicate the other people living here, shouldn't there? There are a few homes, and I remember seeing them work outside earlier; I didn't go talk to them though. But there were no lights or noises- Joel and Samuel are the only people I've interacted with... I don't feel like there is anything malicious per se, but...)

Simon glances in Annie's direction. He notices a similarly brooding look on her face. He opens his mouth to ask her a question-

"We're here."

Before Samuel speaks instead.

In front of them is an old, worn out hut. Nothing befitting the reverence toward someone known as the 'elder.' Could this really be his residence?

"You'll have to enter alone, the both of you." Says Joel.

"Huh? Uncle, what's wrong?" Annie responds.

(Huh? What does she mean?) Simon tears his eyes away from the hut and instead looks toward Joel-

And sees his skin cracking apart and slowly fading to sand.

Simon's eyes widen and he opens his mouth to speak as he turns to Samuel-

And sees the same thing occurring.

The two adults glance at each other and share a sad chuckle.

"We can't explain Annie. Get inside the hut. Just know this- we both appreciate the time we shared. And I love you as much as if you were my own daughter. Now go."

"What!? What do you mean go! What's happening to you guys! I'm not leaving without explanation." Annie starts to have an expression of fear on her face.

Samuel, even as he fades, turns and speaks to Simon.

"Simon, take her into the hut, and immediately go down the stone stairs! If you don't, everything will have been for nothing! NOW!"

Simon could feel the air around him seem to shift into something malevolent. He could tell for sure that if they didn't do what they were told, things would go bad. Fast.

He grabs toward Annie, and grips her tightly around the waist, before pulling her into the hut before she can protest. He opens the door and closes it quickly behind them even as Joel and Samuel fade into sand with a smile on their faces-

And freezes at what he sees.