No sky. No ground. Only emptiness, in which a faint light flickered. A voice echoed through the nothingness, old, tired – yet full of hope.
"I trust you…"
The sun slowly dipped toward the horizon, bathing the city of Halmswick in a warm, golden light. From the rooftops, the entire city could be seen – the alleys, the markets, the river winding silver between the rows of houses.
On one of these rooftops sat Noen and Lyra, shoulder to shoulder. They laughed and teased each other, just as they always did whenever they came here.
"You're staring again, Noen. " Lyra said, tilting her head.
He immediately blushed, looking away – but far too late. "I… I wasn't—"
"Yes, you were." Her smile was wide, teasing, yet warm. She leaned closer, her big eyes sparkling. "Come on, admit it."
"Lyra, stop…" he murmured, but she didn't let up. "Say it."
Noen's heart raced, his face burning. Finally, barely audible, he said: "I just… think you're beautiful."
For a moment, there was silence. Then she gave him that heartfelt, carefree laugh that stole his breath every time. Her eyes shone, satisfied, almost tender.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Late in the evening, the two of them strolled hand in hand through the busy market streets. Merchants called out their wares, the smell of fresh bread and grilled meat lingering in the air. But the mood shifted when a man staggered through the stalls – Kairn.
He leaned on a half-empty bottle, his face twisted into a self-satisfied grin. With every step he took, the crowd pulled back. People hurriedly packed up their stands, others fled, and some simply froze in place.
"Keep moving," Lyra whispered, tugging at Noen's arm.
Her eyes flickered with disgust as she muttered more quietly, "Scum."
Noen clenched his fists." That's the one… the guy with god powers, right?"
Lyra nodded grimly. "Yes. And those powers completely corrupted him. Ever since the mayor was killed by one of those people, Halmswick has been ruled by a god-bearer who acts like a dictator. And Kairn… he takes advantage of it. He used to be a good man. Now everyone in the city knows him – as a thug, a tyrant in the streets."
Once, the gods gave gifts to humans. Powers that healed, strengthened, cleansed the heart – and made their bearers better people.
But that time is over. Now the gods only grant powers of destruction. Powers that corrupt hearts and break souls.
The gods have become evil.
"Heyy…"
"You two there!"
Noen and Lyra froze...