The Embers

In the year 3023, humanity was wiped out by a catastrophic event that left the world barren and desolate. For a millennia years, the earth remained uninhabited, and nature took over, reclaiming the land that once belonged to humans.

But deep in the ruins of what used to be a great city, a small group of people survived. They had managed to build a community and, over time, developed a unique way of surviving in this new world.

Ava groaned as she rolled over in bed, the early morning light flicking through the window. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, feeling the weight of the upcoming day settling on her shoulders. As she sat up, stretching her arms above her head, a sharp pain shot through her head. She winced and clutched her forehead, trying to shake off the sudden migraine.

"ouch" she muttered, looking around the room. But there was no one there, just the empty silence of her dad's small home. they downsized after the disappearance of her mother, but that was to be expected.

Ava shook her head, assuming the pain was just from lack of sleep or dehydration. She pushed herself out of bed and headed to the small kitchen to start her morning routine. She lit a fire and boiled some water for tea, her mind still foggy with sleep.

But as she reached for the teapot, the pain returned with a vengeance, and she heard a voice screaming in her head.

"The flames shall rise, and all that opposes them shall be consumed." the voice called, echoing through her mind.

Ava stumbled backward, dropping the teapot and spilling hot water all over the counter. She clutched her head in agony, the voice like a knife piercing her thoughts.

"I-I don't know who you are," she gasped, struggling to form a coherent thought amidst the chaos.

The voice continued to scream at her, but Ava couldn't make out the words. It was like a jumble of noise and static, overwhelming her senses.

She stumbled to the door, desperate to get out of the house and away from the pain. As she stepped outside, the voice suddenly went silent, leaving Ava panting and confused.

"What the hell was that?" she muttered to herself, still reeling from the sudden onslaught.

Ava shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She knew she couldn't go to work like this, not with her head still throbbing and her thoughts in disarray. She needed to figure out what was happening, but first she needed to take care of herself. She headed back inside to tend to her burns and clean up the mess she had made, her mind racing with questions and confusion.

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Ava was busy grinding some herbs at the apothecary when her father walked in.

"Morning, Dad," Ava greeted him.

"Good morning, Ava. How are you feeling today?" he asked.

Ava turned to her father, the only family she had left in the village, hoping to find some comfort or advice. "Dad, I've been having these headaches lately," she started.

Her father, busy mixing potions behind the counter, glanced up briefly. "Oh, just take some rest and drink more water. You'll be fine," he replied, his tone dismissive.

"But it's not just a normal headache, it's like something is screaming in my head," Ava persisted, hoping her father would take her seriously.

Her father let out a sigh and walked over to her. "Ava, you worry too much. You're always exploring those ruins and getting yourself into trouble. Maybe you need to take a break and focus on helping out around the apothecary."

Ava's shoulders slumped in disappointment. She knew her father meant well, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"that reminds me Ava, he said turning back to her, I know how obsessed you are about the outside world, and I know I can't stop you from going out, but if you must leave, could you try and bring back some herbs for the apothecary."

"alright dad, i'll do my best."

As Ava stepped out of the apothecary, the sun shone down on her face, warming her skin. She shielded her eyes from the bright light, looking around at the busy village. The sound of vendors hawking their wares and children playing filled her ears.

Taking a deep breath, she made her way towards the scout tent, weaving her way through the crowd. She walked with purpose, her mind focused on the task at hand.

As she approached the tent, she saw a few scouts standing outside, talking and laughing. She recognized some of them from her previous expeditions to the ruins, and she felt a sense of camaraderie with them.

"Hey, Ava!" one of the scouts called out as she approached. "Are you coming with us to the ruins today?"

Ava nodded, a determined look on her face. "Yes, I am. Let's get going."

Without another word, she followed the scouts as they made their way out of the village and towards the ruins in the distance. As they walked, Ava couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. She was ready for whatever lay ahead.