66. Dragon Eyes

                                    

                                          
Kliff's eyes snapped open to behold a world engulfed in a maelstrom of blood-red fire and chaos. The outstretched hands of anguished corpses pointed towards the heavens, where the Eternal Gardens beckoned, their desperate plea echoing in the air. 
It seemed as if they were reaching out to their beloved goddess, Aeris, beseeching her to descend from her hidden realm and spare them from their harrowing fate. Alas, no divine savior appeared, and the unfortunate souls were consumed by the relentless dark inferno, leaving behind naught but fading memories.
He would have screamed if only he had a voice to give. He could see everything: the destruction that he caused, the lives that he slayed, a city that he had shattered, yet only a faint buzzing filled his ears. Where he was crouched on both knees with charred hands resting in his lap, Kliff could feel the intense heat clash into his face, evaporating the streams of tears staining him.
The raging fire sent a whirlwind of smoke swirling around him, and the charred remains that had once been a person were consumed with a ferocity similar to wood engulfed in the hearth of a rustic cottage. Water drowned his sight, causing a familiar stinging sensation to consume his eyes, but before tears could fall, they transformed into tiny particles of glowing orange ash carried away by the wind. It was almost as if he was shedding tears of embers.
His mind crackled with electricity as fragmented memories surged through his consciousness— fleeting glimpses of his father, his mother, and a friend he couldn't find. Kliff had often frequented the city square known as the Lion's Sanctuary, particularly during vibrant celebrations like the one taking place tonight. It looked different now, with the once-colorful cobblestones now marred by smoky black burns and the bustling street stalls reduced to smoldering remnants of charred wood.
The area surrounding the Sanctuary was filled with buildings and multi-story houses, many of which showed signs of damage. Portions of their architecture were missing, with large chunks of brick walls collapsed to the ground and rows of shattered windows, likely from bursts of heat. The Lion's Sanctuary was spacious enough to accommodate over two hundred people, and Kliff was certain even more had crowded there tonight, laughter, music, and conversation once filling the air. Nobles sure loved their grand parties.
Scratching the side of his head, Kliff grappled with piecing together the events that led to this catastrophe. He couldn't shake the memory of yet another heated dispute with his father, this time regarding his impending betrothal and future. The absurdity of an eight-year-old being thrust into matters of courtship and political alliances almost elicited a bitter chuckle from him. How could such a situation be considered normal in a world that insisted it was just?
Then, she appeared—the light of his life, the small pocket of hope in days that seemed to never end. Her name was—had been—Aeila, which translated to "of the cloudless spring" in Rymevar, though, oddly enough, she wasn't of Rymevai descent. But it was a name that nonetheless suited her, as whenever she was around, the darkness blanketing his life like enormous storm clouds faded the instant she smiled. 
Her lowborn origins were impossible to discern from her refined way of speaking and the confident way she conducted herself. Many among the noble class considered her overbearing. "How could a commoner presume to be our equal in the eyes of Aeris?" was likely the prevailing sentiment. However, it was precisely this unwavering spirit that Kliff admired in her above all else.
In her presence, he felt safe enough to let down his guard, to reveal the person behind the facade he wore, and to confide in her his innermost thoughts and struggles. In a world filled with complexities and deceit, she was one of the few individuals who brought him true joy. Yet, on that fateful night, she vanished in whispers of cinders.