The city stretched out like a sprawling carcass of what once thrived with life. Towering skyscrapers, their glass facades shattered, stood as hollowed-out skeletons against the dull, overcast sky. Vines and wild vegetation crawled up their sides, nature reclaiming what humanity had left behind. The once-bustling streets were now cracked and uneven, with weeds sprouting from the fractures, and the remnants of vehicles—rusted, overturned, and stripped—were scattered like forgotten relics of another age.
A haunting silence engulfed the city, broken only by the occasional creak of metal or the distant whistle of the wind through the empty windows. Shadows danced unnaturally in the twilight, cast by the flickering remnants of streetlights that somehow still clung to life, powered by failing energy sources. Faded billboards loomed overhead, their messages obscured by time and decay, though some phrases were eerily readable.
Buildings, once homes to countless lives, stood abandoned with windows like hollow eyes staring into oblivion. Some were partially collapsed, their interiors exposed to the elements, revealing remnants of lives left behind—broken furniture, scattered photographs, and walls painted with desperation in the form of faded graffiti.
A pungent smell of dampness and rot lingered in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of rust. Pools of stagnant water reflected the somber grey of the sky, disturbed only by the ripples of unseen creatures lurking within. Different types of monsters had reclaimed parts of the city, their calls and movements echoing eerily, a stark contrast to the mechanical hum that once filled the atmosphere.
In the distance, a looming tower jutted into the heavens, its peak shrouded in mist. Unlike the other structures, it remained intact but radiated an unnatural energy. A faint, pulsing glow emanated from its pinnacle, casting ominous light over the ruins below, as if it were a sentinel watching over the city's decay.
The remnants of human civilization lingered in every corner—a child's toy lying forgotten on a sidewalk, a diner with its chairs still upturned on tables, and a subway entrance caved in but still faintly marked by an old map showing routes that no longer mattered.
The city was more than abandoned—it felt forsaken, as though time itself had given up on it. And yet, there was a strange allure to its desolation, as if the ruins whispered of secrets hidden beneath the rubble, waiting for someone bold—or foolish—enough to uncover them.
A man descended from the sky to the cracked grounds of the city, it was none other than Zhuo, he was wearing a white hoodie type dress with a black jeans, he got the idea of this costume from the memories he had read from the people before descending.
As he walked through desolate place , he can't help but sigh, " So this is what they call a mana concentrated area, huh, from what I could read from the memory of the civilians is that this city was plagued by some unknown reason and the gates and spacial cracks started appearing constantly, threatening the lives of the civilians in the city. The awakeners had no choice but to retreat, and the city was abondand.
With a sigh, he muttered to himself, " Had the so called awakeners really grown very weak that they can't even handle a bunch of monsters sprowing out of the gates"?
As Zhuo walked through the desolate streets of the ruined city of Aetheris, the weight of the silence pressed down on him. The remnants of a once-great civilization lay in broken fragments around him, twisted metal and shattered stone mixing with the eerie fog that seeped out from the rifts in the earth. The mana concentrations in the air hung heavy, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
His boots echoed off the cracked pavement, a constant reminder of how far Aetheris had fallen. Zhuo's eyes scanned the environment, seeking out any trace of what had happened here. His mind raced with thoughts of the past—memories of a time before the chaos, before the gates tore everything apart.
As he moved forward, a faint sound broke the silence. A light step, barely perceptible. Zhuo's senses sharpened, his body tensing instinctively. Without turning around, he felt a presence close behind him, an unfamiliar energy, yet undeniably human.
Turning slowly, Zhuo's sharp gaze met the figure of a woman standing against the backdrop of a nearby collapsed building. She was tall, with long, obsidian black hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her piercing silver eyes shone with an unsettling intensity, and her attire, a sleek tactical suit of dark metallic hues, hinted at both precision and deadly capability. A cloak billowed behind her, swirling in the faint breeze, and she exuded an air of authority that made the ruined city seem even more desolate by comparison.
Zhuo couldn't help but smile lightly, though there was a hint of tension in his eyes. "Didn't expect company here," he said, keeping his voice light and relaxed.
The woman studied him for a moment, her gaze sweeping over his casual demeanor before narrowing slightly. "You don't belong here," she said coolly, her tone laced with suspicion. "Who are you, and what brings you to Aetheris?"
Zhuo raised an eyebrow, his expression unaffected. "Just passing through," he said, shrugging casually. "No harm meant. Just curious about the old place."
The woman stepped forward, her eyes narrowing with precision. "Curiosity doesn't often bring people to Aetheris, especially not these days. This city's under quarantine. You're not supposed to be here."
Zhuo's mind raced, considering his options. He could easily overwhelm her if he wished, but that would raise too many questions. He had learned long ago to hide his true strength and blend in, at least until he understood more about what was going on.
"You've got me there," he said with a chuckle, "I'm just a traveler. You know how it is, wandering and stumbling into places you're not supposed to be."
The woman's sharp gaze didn't waver. She took another step closer, examining him like a hawk. "I'm Captain Seraphine Ashcroft," she said, her voice firm, commanding. "I lead the evernight Guard. You're in violation of our city's quarantine order. This city is off-limits to outsiders, and we've had enough rogue elements roaming around."
Zhuo's mind raced. Captain Seraphine Ashcroft—he had to be careful here. This was no ordinary patrol officer. She was clearly in charge of something significant. Her presence was commanding, her posture confident and strong. Her eyes spoke of a deep understanding of this world—one that Zhuo had not expected to encounter in such a desolate place.
"I didn't mean any harm," Zhuo replied with a slight shrug, though his mind was on alert. "I'm just here to take a look around."
Seraphine's expression softened just slightly, but her eyes remained cold and assessing. "You expect me to believe that? No one comes to evernight for sightseeing."
Before Zhuo could respond, her voice turned more serious, carrying a note of caution. "I'm going to need to take you in for questioning. You can tell me your story at our headquarters."
Zhuo kept his features neutral, but his pulse quickened. There was no avoiding this now. If he resisted, things would only escalate, and he needed to stay under the radar. "Headquarters, huh? Sounds like a plan," he said with a relaxed tone, though inside he was calculating his next move.
Seraphine's eyes remained locked on him, her suspicion not yet fully assuaged. She took a step back, signaling to a few nearby soldiers who had appeared at her command. They were stationed around the perimeter, hidden in the shadows, yet fully aware of his presence.
"Come with us," Seraphine ordered, her voice brokering no argument.
Zhuo nodded and followed, his hands relaxed at his sides, but his mind working swiftly. He kept his energy suppressed, focusing on blending in. He wasn't sure where this encounter would lead, but he had learned long ago to stay calm. He could always escape if needed—but for now, he needed to gather information.
As they walked through the ruined streets of Evernight , Zhuo couldn't help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia. This was his home—though it was no longer the place he remembered. It had been too long since he had walked these streets, and so much had changed. The city had been abandoned due to the rifts and the unstable mana that had warped the land, but something about it still tugged at him.
Seraphine's voice broke through his thoughts. "What were you really looking for here?" she asked, her suspicion still evident. "You're not just some wanderer. People like you don't just 'wander' into quarantined zones."
Zhuo gave her a small, carefree smile, his eyes twinkling with a sense of humor. "I told you, curiosity," he said lightly. "Though I will admit, I didn't expect a warm welcome."
Seraphine didn't smile. Her silver eyes glinted as she studied him. "Curiosity won't keep you out of trouble. Trust me. People like you, with your strength, don't just wander around in a city that's been abandoned for decades."
Zhuo's smile faded, though he kept his demeanor calm. He could feel her eyes on him, measuring him, trying to uncover the truth. But he couldn't let his guard down—not yet. He didn't want to draw attention, didn't want to show too much.
As they approached the headquarters—a large, imposing structure half-buried beneath the ruins of the city—Zhuo felt a strange sense of unease. What was Seraphine hiding? What were these people really doing here, patrolling a city long thought abandoned?
Inside the headquarters, the walls were lined with screens and maps, and the faint hum of energy filled the air. Seraphine led him into a small, austere interrogation room, where she gestured for him to sit.
"I'll be asking you questions," she said as she stood, arms folded. "Don't think you can hide anything."
Zhuo leaned back in his chair, stretching casually, his demeanor still easygoing. "You've got me all figured out, huh? I guess I'll have to disappoint you—I'm really not that interesting."
Seraphine's gaze hardened, but Zhuo could see the flicker of doubt in her eyes. Something about him didn't sit right with her.
The questions continued, but with every answer, Zhuo's thoughts drifted. He could feel the weight of time on his shoulders. It had been so long, too long. What had changed in the world? What was the world like now?
He could feel the answers just out of reach—he only needed to dig a little deeper.
But for now, he would play along. After all, in a world of lies and mysteries, sometimes the best way to find the truth was to let the questions flow.