_EDEN

Lit only by the light of the gemstone, Sky and Eve stood trapped at the entrance of the pyramid structure. As the adrenaline faded, a sharp pain carved its way up Sky's arm. It wasn't until he removed his chewed-up gauntlets he noticed the blood dripping from the bite marks the wolves had inflicted on him.

Eve wasted no time. Like a reflex, she sprang into action, pulling Sky's arm toward her. The beehive-shaped holes in his skin pumped out blood, dripping onto her hands.

"It looks bad. It'll get worse if I don't treat it," she said, hurriedly pulling out her healing oils.

"How bad can it get?" Sky asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

"Infections. Your arm will rot, decay—take your pick. It'll turn worse if I don't do something. Now hold still." Eve pressed on his wounds. Sky gritted his teeth, fighting every urge to scream as his arm shook violently from the pain, his mind racing to escape the sensation.

"There, almost done," she said, working quickly even as the warmth of his blood soaked her hands. Though it felt as if darkness was closing in around her, she persevered, treating his wounds with the confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times.

Every so often, Sky caught her glancing toward the rubble where the wolves had collapsed, their barking echoing in the night, trying to barge their way in, but to no avail.

"Don't worry; they can't get to us," Sky reassured her.

"What about what could live here?" Eve retorted, her voice tinged with concern. Sky scanned the damp ground around him, ahead revealing a dark cave that stretched forever into nothing, the sounds of their breathing bouncing up and down the corridors.

"I don't think anything lives here. This place looks to have been abandoned for years." He looked around, only able to see as far as the gemstone's glow illuminated.

"We can't be sure yet. We still need to be careful." Sky agreed with a subtle nod.

Before he knew it, the bleeding had stopped. A neat tie completed the bandaged arm.

"As long as you don't overexert yourself, it'll heal just fine," Eve said.

"Thank you," Sky replied, relief washing over him.Eve smiled, running her hands through her hair, satisfied with her work.

The two ventured deeper into the chasms of the underground ruin. Their footsteps echoed in the silence as they walked, the damp rock walls glistening with moisture, while the sound of falling water reverberated through the caves. Without the gemstone's guiding light, they would have been blind to their surroundings.

It was the first time Eve had seen the gemstone behave like this, and her astonishment was clear as she stared at it, transfixed. She didn't question it, only felt gratitude.

Sky noticed that Eve was shaking, her trembling hands hidden from view. For now, they knew the worst was behind them, and the sound of rain that had once been so clear faded.

After a while, the caverns opened into a larger space. The pitch-black darkness gave way to shades of gray and blue as moonlight filtered through cracks in the ceiling, revealing a vast cavern system that stretched endlessly. Sections of rock floor connected by bridges loomed over drops into the abyss below—a treacherous landscape where death was only a misstep away. Long-abandoned ancient timber constructions and carved stone lay scattered throughout the place. The air was thick with the scent of damp wood and sawdust. Structures creaked under their weight as they moved through, the deep, endless breeze lending an eerie ambiance to the desolate space—a forgotten treasure hidden deep within the earth.

The sheer scale of everything took them aback; they could wander for hours and still not explore it all. As he absorbed the scene, he wondered if there was even more to discover. But his gaze kept drifting back to Eve, who was still trying to process it all. He could see the bewilderment in her eyes, but there was something deeper—a flicker of fear that twisted her features.

When they traveled far enough for the light to be more abundant, the gemstone's glow faded. Sky caught Eve's apprehension in his gaze and led her to a spot where the light was brightest. He found some nearby torches and lit two, passing one to her. "Are you okay to get through this?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"What do you mean?" Her eyes widened, betraying her unease.

"The flame will keep you safe," he replied, offering a reassuring smile, though he could feel the tension radiating from her.

Eve's calm demeanor shattered as she lowered her own torch, her voice wavering. "Thank you." The fear she had shared only with her father and Ilene now hung in the air between them. The way she held herself—gripping her clothes, trembling, and sweating—told a story of its own. For as long as she could remember, Eve had struggled with the dark. To her, it wasn't merely the absence of light; it was something tangible, something that could be touched and felt. It had a mind of its own, staring at you, choking your heart with frozen hands. In her eyes, things turned evil when enveloped in darkness, losing their innocence.

Sky stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He whispered, "Stay close to me," his warmth enveloping and anchoring her in the suffocating darkness. He turned to the cavern, raising his torch higher, illuminating the way ahead.

"Let's not linger here," he urged gently, keeping his tone light. "I'll keep you safe."

As they moved forward, Sky kept his eyes on Eve, occasionally glancing back to ensure she was still with him. He adjusted his pace to match hers, letting the flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating a barrier against the oppressive darkness. Each time the shadows loomed, he positioned himself slightly in front of her, a silent promise that he would shield her from the lurking fears that threatened to consume them.

With every step, he offered her steady reassurance through his presence, silently vowing to protect her. In this vast, haunting place, Sky aimed not just to guide her physically but to bolster her courage, reminding them both that even in darkness, they were not alone.

"I'm scared too," Sky admitted, turning to her. Her surprise and relief were clear as his gentle smile lit up his face. She took hold of the burning torch, feeling a little stronger.

A sudden gust of wind that swept through the cavern abruptly interrupted them, as if something within sensed their presence. Then came the unmistakable sound of footsteps circling around them. Sky held the torch in front of him, straining to follow the source of the noise. Just out of view, a dark silhouette turned a corner.

Without hesitation, Sky and Eve gave chase, navigating unstable structures and precarious bridges, aware that they could collapse at any moment. It didn't take long before they cornered the figure, forcing it into a dead end that led to a door boarded up with metal and fallen stones. Long-decayed remains of the dead littered the ground, as if a fierce battle had occurred there. The skeletal faces were grotesque, twisted in silent screams and cries.

As Sky moved his torch closer, he noticed a small figure cradled behind a pile of rubble—a little girl cowering in fear. Her tiny hands shielded her head as she shut her eyes, convinced that if she couldn't see them, they couldn't see her. Feeling the warmth of the flames, she peeked out. She couldn't have been over six, wearing clothes that had once been white but were now tattered and faded to a sickly yellow. Her black hair was unkempt, and her pale skin revealed she hadn't seen the sun in years. But what struck Sky most were her eyes: wide, moist, red, and devoid of the innocence that should have defined her youth. It was clear she had witnessed horrors no child should endure.

Sky kneeled down, gently extending his hand toward her. "It's okay. You don't have to be scared."

"Are you okay?" Eve asked, kneeling beside him. She noticed the cuts and bruises covering the girl's legs and hands.

The girl hesitated, glancing between them. She noticed their unfamiliar appearance and then caught sight of the bandages on Sky's arm. The flames flickered in her eyes as she slowly spoke, struggling to form the words. "Are you going to hurt me?"

"What? No! Of course not," Sky replied, inching closer. "We're not going to hurt you. I'm Sky, and this is my friend, Eve." He pointed to her.

After a moment, the girl reached out and took Sky's hand, allowing him to help her to her feet. "What's your name?" he asked.

There was something odd about her response; as if she were trying to remember. For a moment, confusion crossed her face, but then clarity returned. "Kiran," she said softly.