ark 2 chapter 1 towards new dawn.
There I stood in the midst of the desolate wasteland.
Sandstorms passed me by, whispering through the wind like I was nothing more than a ghost, a forgotten fragment of this broken world. My clothes hung in tatters, barely clinging to my body, each thread worn and frayed by time and despair. The weight of survival pressed down on me, and for a fleeting moment, I wished I wasn't alive.
But I was still there.
Still breathing.
Still standing.
Everything was hazy—memories shattered like broken glass, scattered pieces I couldn't put back together. The only thing I could recall was being hit. Hard. The impact resonated through my bones, leaving my mind fractured and my body on the verge of collapse.
My knees buckled, and before I could stop myself, I crumpled to the ground.
Face-first into the sand.
Swallowed by the silence of this forsaken land.
As the storm raged on, I lay there motionless, unsure if I had the strength to rise again. But even in the chaos, one thought lingered—
This wasn't the end.
It couldn't be.
My mind was blank.
Days passed by. Maybe weeks. I couldn't tell anymore.
I just lay there in the sand, unmoving.
Breathing. Existing.
Waiting for something — for someone — to pull me out of this endless void.
But nothing came.
Time slipped by, the sun scorching my skin during the day, and the freezing cold biting me at night. And still, I remained motionless, consumed by the emptiness that plagued my mind.
Then, like a faint whisper carried by the wind, a thought pierced through the fog clouding my mind.
Move.
I don't know where it came from or why it echoed in my skull so loudly, but it was enough to stir me.
With trembling arms and shaking legs, I pushed myself up from the sand—or at least, I tried to. Every inch felt like a struggle, my body worn down to nothing but bones and willpower.
The sandstorm had long passed, leaving the wasteland eerily silent. Nothing moved. Nothing lived.
Except me.
Dragging my feet forward, each step felt heavier than the last.
But standing still? That wasn't an option anymore.
Moving forward, no matter where it led, was the only choice I had left.
I decided that survival, no matter how pointless it seemed, was better than waiting to die in a forgotten place.
And so I moved.
Days passed, maybe weeks. I lost track.
The sky above shifted from burning blue to stormy gray, but it made no difference. I just kept walking, aimlessly. Step after step. The sand stretched endlessly in all directions, swallowing any hope I had of finding something — anything.
I didn't feel hunger.
I didn't feel thirst.
Just an ever-fading strength, like my body was slowly giving up on me.
Then I saw it.
At first, it was a blur on the horizon, a shadow against the swirling sands.
I thought it was a trick of the mind — a mirage, born of exhaustion and madness.
But as I kept walking, it didn't vanish.
It grew clearer with each step.
A figure.
Human? Maybe. I couldn't tell.
Each step felt heavier than the last, my legs barely holding me up.
But I pushed forward. I had to.
The figure stood still, watching me approach. As I drew closer, their features came into focus. They weren't moving. Weren't speaking.
I stopped in front of them, face-to-face.
Their eyes locked onto mine.
There was no malice. No fear. Just… understanding.
A silent recognition of shared suffering.
Who were they?
And why were they waiting for me?
Questions swirled in my mind.
Who are they? Why are they here? Am I hallucinating?
Before I could speak, the figure broke the silence. Their voice was calm but carried a weight, as if they knew more about me than I did myself.
"So, you're at least alive… That's good to hear," they said with a faint smile, their tone both reassuring and unsettling.
My mind blanked.
Their words echoed, twisting through my exhausted thoughts. Alive? Barely.
The world around me blurred. The burning sand beneath my feet felt distant, as if I was floating away from it all.
Before I could process anything further, my body gave out.
I collapsed, falling into the sand like a broken marionette.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
For the first time in days — maybe weeks — I finally slept.
No more questions. No more steps.
Just silence.
My dreams were peaceful for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
Images of quiet places, forgotten faces, and fleeting memories danced in the darkness of my mind. For a brief moment, I felt at peace.
But alas, reality beckoned.
I stirred, my body aching with exhaustion. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light around me. Above, I saw a sandstone ceiling, cracks weaving intricate patterns through the surface, weathered by time. The air smelled dry, carrying the scent of old stone and dust.
I blinked, taking in my surroundings.
A quiet room.
A single lantern flickered gently in the corner, casting soft shadows against the walls.
For a moment, I questioned if I was still dreaming.
The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint rustle of the wind outside.
Then it hit me — I wasn't alone.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway beyond.
The presence of someone unseen, someone who had saved me.
The figure from the wasteland.
And with that thought, the peace of my dreams faded, replaced by questions I couldn't ignore.
Where am I?
Who brought me here?
And… why?
My questions were answered when Lilly walked through the half-broken wooden door, her presence lighting up the dim room. Her long pink hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her soft dragon scales shimmered faintly in the lantern's glow.
"Retro, you're awake... finally, after seven days of sleeping," she said, her voice carrying a mix of relief and amusement. Her gentle giggle softened the mood, momentarily easing the tension that weighed heavily on my mind.
I sat up slowly, my body aching with every movement. Seven days? I thought to myself, disbelief washing over me.
Lilly approached, her smile warm and comforting. But as she drew closer, that smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression.
"You tried to fight Phantom," she said quietly, her tone heavy with the weight of what had transpired. "It... didn't go as planned."
Her words cut through me like a blade.
She continued, "Whatever he did, it scattered us. Everyone was cast to random parts of the world."
Her eyes lowered, guilt and frustration flickering in her gaze.
"You and I… we were the closest to each other. I found you out there, barely clinging to life. The others… We have no idea where they are. Nexus, Atlas, the rest… they're somewhere out there, lost."
The weight of her words sank deep into my chest.
I clenched my fists, memories of the battle flashing through my mind — Phantom's piercing gaze, the overwhelming darkness, the moment everything shattered.
"And now," Lilly said softly, her voice trembling, "we're in a world that feels more broken than ever."
Silence hung between us for a long moment, the reality of our situation settling in.
I looked up at her, determination burning in my eyes despite my weariness.
"We'll find them," I said firmly.
"We'll bring them back."
Lilly nodded, though doubt lingered in her expression.
"We have to," she whispered. "We have no choice."
Phantom's fight flashed through my mind.
The sheer presence of his dark aura, the way it suffocated the air around us — it all came rushing back.
He just showed up out of nowhere, like a nightmare manifesting in reality. I couldn't even sense him before he appeared, standing there with those cold, empty eyes.
I tried to fight him.
Like an idiot.
I thought I could take him on, thought I could stop whatever madness he was about to unleash.
But I was wrong.
I remember lunging at him, sword in hand. The energy I poured into every swing was unmatched, fueled by desperation and rage.
Yet, every strike…
Every single one of them.
Phantom dodged effortlessly, as if he were toying with me.
His voice echoed in my mind.
"You think you can stop me? You, a broken piece of a shattered world?" He laughed.
I gritted my teeth, shaking my head to clear the haunting memory.
The pain in my chest lingered, the shame of my failure weighing me down.
"I was a fool," I muttered under my breath.
Lilly heard me, her eyes softening with sympathy.
"You weren't a fool," she said gently. "You were protecting us. That's what you've always done."
But her words didn't ease the ache inside me. I had failed to protect them. I had failed to stop Phantom.
And now, we were scattered across a fractured world, left to pick up the pieces.
I clenched my fists.
Next time…
Next time, I won't make the same mistake.
"Our journey won't be an easy one," I muttered to myself, my thoughts a tangled mess as I sat up.
The damn spirits weren't lying when they told me I had awoken ancient beings. Their power… It's something I need. I felt it during my fight with Phantom — a force far greater than mine. But just as quickly as Phantom had overpowered me, someone else… something else intervened.
I felt it.
A presence, a power beyond anything I could comprehend. It wasn't Phantom's. No… This was something older, something primal.
And then it hit me — a question that shattered my train of thought.
Where is my sword?
My heart sank. The weight of that realization crushed me like a stone. My sword… the one thing tied to my soul, to my very existence. I looked around the room frantically, eyes darting from corner to corner. Nothing.
Panic crept in. I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm.
"Where is my sword?" I asked aloud, my voice sharp, cutting through the silence.
Lilly looked at me with a hint of concern, stepping closer.
"I haven't seen it," she said softly, shaking her head.
Her words only made the unease grow.
"Are you sure? Maybe it's—"
"Retro… I'm sure. I've looked everywhere. It wasn't with you when I found you."
I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes. My mind raced through the events of that battle.
I had my sword when I fought Phantom. I remember gripping it with everything I had, pouring my energy into every strike.
But now?
Gone.
I exhaled sharply.
Who has my sword?
And why do I have this lingering feeling that whoever took it… isn't done with me yet?
Lilly sat down beside me, her expression softening as she placed her hand on my head. Without warning, she gave it a firm shake.
"Snap out of it, Retro." Her voice carried both warmth and authority.
My mind, lost in the whirlwind of thoughts, came crashing back to the present. I blinked a few times, finally focusing on her face. Her pink hair glimmered faintly in the dim light, and her dragon scales reflected a subtle shimmer.
I just stared at her, speechless.
She didn't look angry. No frustration in her eyes — just concern.
"You're spiraling again," she said gently. "I've seen that look before. You're blaming yourself, aren't you?"
I lowered my gaze, unable to meet her eyes.
"It's my fault," I muttered. "I lost the sword… I failed everyone. And now we're scattered across this cursed world."
Lilly sighed, leaning closer. "You didn't fail. We're alive, Retro. That's what matters right now." She paused, her voice softening. "We'll find the sword. But you've got to stop carrying all of this on your shoulders alone."
I glanced at her again, her words settling in my mind like a distant echo.
"I'm just… tired," I finally admitted.
She smiled faintly, her hand resting on my shoulder. "Then rest. We've got a long journey ahead, and you won't get far if you burn yourself out."
I gave a small nod.
For a moment, the weight didn't feel so crushing.
Lilly's expression shifted, her eyes darting nervously as if weighing whether to speak. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Instead, she bit her lower lip, hesitating.
Then, without warning, she leaned in.
Her soft lips brushed against mine in a fleeting kiss.
My entire face flushed a deep crimson. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, all the noise in my mind went silent.
Lilly pulled back, her cheeks tinted with a faint pink. She avoided my gaze, fiddling with a strand of her hair. "I… I've been wanting to do that for a while," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I was speechless. My mind scrambled to process what had just happened.
"I—I…"
Words failed me.
She giggled, that familiar mischievous sparkle returning to her eyes. "You're adorable when you're flustered, Retro."
I cleared my throat, trying to regain composure, but my face was still burning. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Good," she replied, her voice playful yet sincere. "Because I wanted it to be real… no expectations, no distractions."
As the silence stretched between us, I found myself smiling despite the whirlwind of emotions.
Maybe, just maybe, amidst all the chaos, there were still moments like this worth holding onto.
"I guess I should thank you," I finally said, my voice soft. "For bringing me back… in more ways than one."
Lilly's eyes met mine again, and this time, neither of us looked away.
Slowly, I reached out and took her hand, my fingers trembling as they intertwined with hers. Her hand felt warm, comforting — a reminder that even in the midst of this chaos, there was still something worth holding onto.
She leaned in closer, her breath soft against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
"I'm glad you're still here… with me," Lilly whispered, her voice delicate, almost fragile.
I squeezed her hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere."
Her gaze softened, and for a moment, the weight of the world faded into the background. We sat there in silence, the distant howling wind outside the only sound filling the air. The warmth from her presence grounded me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt at peace.
Lilly leaned her head against my shoulder, and as the night deepened, time seemed to slow.
Then, just before her eyes fluttered closed, she whispered one more thing.
"We'll make it through this… together."
I nodded, my own exhaustion taking over. As we sat there, hand in hand, the flickering light from the fire casting shadows across the room, I realized that this — this fleeting moment of peace — was enough to keep me moving forward.
And that was the night.
With the morning dawn breaking over the horizon, we moved forward, step by step, the silence between us speaking louder than words. Walking was all we could do. The land stretched endlessly, the sands of time beneath our feet whispering stories of the past — stories we had no choice but to leave behind.
The cold air clung to our skin, but neither of us said a word about it. Each step felt heavier, yet we pressed on. There was no clear destination in sight, just the distant horizon, where the sky kissed the earth in a solemn farewell to the night.
Lilly walked beside me, her gaze fixed ahead, determination etched in her every movement. I glanced at her for a moment, seeing the resolve in her eyes, the same resolve that had brought us this far. She was a beacon of light in this broken world — a reminder that even when everything falls apart, there's still something worth holding on to.
"We keep moving," she finally said, her voice steady yet soft. "No matter what."
I nodded, tightening my grip on the worn straps of my pack.
"Yeah… no matter what."
And so we walked — toward the horizon, toward whatever awaited us beyond the desolate expanse, with only the rising sun and each other to guide our way.
An adventure worth waiting for us, all we had to do was move forward — toward a new dawn.
The past was behind us, a tapestry of memories filled with pain and fleeting moments of peace. Yet, despite the burdens we carried, we knew there was more waiting ahead. The world was vast, filled with mysteries yet to be uncovered, dangers yet to be faced, and truths yet to be revealed.
The horizon glowed with promise, the sun's rays cutting through the cold air, chasing away the remnants of night.
Lilly walked with quiet determination, her footsteps steady, her presence grounding me in ways I hadn't realized I needed.
"We'll make it," she whispered softly, as if reassuring herself as much as me.
I glanced at her and offered a faint smile. "Yeah… we will."
Our journey had only just begun. There were relics to find, enemies to confront, and forgotten truths to unearth. But with each step forward, the weight on our shoulders seemed a little lighter.
Together, we moved toward that new dawn, knowing that no matter what awaited us, we would face it head-on — because this world, broken and scarred as it was, still held the promise of something more.
An adventure worth waiting for.