I stopped at the city's entrance and stood there for a few seconds, feeling my brain struggle to keep up with what my eyes were seeing. The Ancient stone rose before me like a sleeping giant — too immense, too ancient, almost alive.
The clouds dulled everything a little, but even so…
It was absurd.
— Damn… — I muttered to myself. — With the sky overcast I barely saw it properly… but this is enormous. And those glowing roots… could that be energy? I don't know…
I turned slowly, watching the city move like an organism of its own. Circular streets packed with people, machines humming, hurried footsteps, mingled voices… everything vibrated, like a circle that never ended.
— Yeah, it definitely looks like an infinite circle — I grumbled. — Those buildings are gigantic… and they still look small next to that stone.
Oud stood beside me, staring at the buildings that seemed almost fused to the mountain. A massive green wall prevented any direct approach.
— I've never seen anything like this — he said, with that calm that irritates and impresses at the same time.
He pointed toward the hills in the distance.
— There.
I followed his finger and widened my eyes.
— Wow… is that also part of the stone?
— I don't know — he replied, averting his gaze with a serious expression. — It seems to never end.
And truly… it seemed endless. As if the entire city had been built around something no one fully understood.
As we walked, the flow of people only grew. Everyone moved in the same direction, as if guided by something unseen. Machines roared in the distance, and every corner brought new shouts from vendors.
— Now I see adults. It almost feels… normal.
I approached a metal plaque and read:
— "Most of the structure lies underground. Only three parts of the stone are exposed: the Mountain of Three Peaks, the Eastern Mountains, and the Timeless Mountain."
I swallowed hard.
— Timeless Mountain… I've heard that name before.
Oud made a low, thoughtful sound.
— I think I know this place…
I nodded, trying to keep my thoughts steady.
— I hope we find answers here. It's getting dark… and we need to find Cindi.
— I just want to sleep — he complained, looking ready to pass out right there.
I laughed, despite the exhaustion.
— Then let's find house number 6.
The streets grew denser, tighter, almost pulsing. Nothing felt normal there — as if the city itself were breathing. When we finally arrived, I climbed the steps and knocked on the door… which was half-open.
— Huh? The door's open… who leaves a door like this? Hey? Anyone home?
Oud didn't wait.
He simply walked in.
— Oud! — I exclaimed, nearly stumbling after him. — That's not how this works! We can't just—
He was already sprawled on the couch.
— I'm tired — he murmured, closing his eyes. — Cindi seems nice. I think I can sleep here.
I stood at the threshold, catching the scent of old wood and… something else I couldn't quite identify. A small strangeness, but an insistent one.
— Man… — I whispered, but he was already snoring.
I sighed and stayed there, holding my backpack, neither going in nor leaving. Eventually, the weight on my eyelids won… and I dozed off leaning against the wall.
A light touch on my shoulder pulled me out of a confused dream.
I opened my eyes in alarm.
The fading light of dusk outlined Cindi standing before me — calm, but with that gaze that cuts through any lie.
— You're Ark — she said. — Illia told me about you.
I swallowed. Her manner spoke louder than her words.
— Do you have any idea what it means for someone like you to appear here… now?
— I just… came for my sister — I replied, my voice rough.
She crossed her arms, examining every part of me, as if weighing risks, consequences, everything at once.
— Everyone has someone — she said firmly. — The question is: what are you willing to lose for her?
I stayed silent. The question hit deep.
— Sorry for… kind of barging in — I murmured. — I told Oud not to come in.
— Him? — She frowned.
— Oud. He's there sleeping. He… lives with Ultra Cancer.
Her eyebrows rose.
— You mean… the Ancient Cancer?
— Yeah. Where I grew up they called it Ultra Cancer. But I think it's the same thing.
— I see… — she murmured, and it was clear that shook her.
The sky was already almost completely dark. Wind slipped in through the windows, stirring the curtains. The smell of tea and cake clashed with the tension hanging in the air.
Cindi sat at the table and, without losing that serious air, slid a plate with cake toward me.
— Sit, Ark. You look exhausted… but I want to hear it from you. Tell me about your sister.
I obeyed.
I took a piece of cake just to have something in my hands. It was sweet… but hard to swallow.
— You have many questions — she said. — And so do I. So let's take it slowly. Start with Imi.
— All right… my sister caught this months ago — I began. — After traveling with our parents. Only she came back… with a government agent. He took care of her at first, but after a few days, the symptoms… began.
My voice faltered.
— They say this illness isn't normal. That it's an "element." As if it had a will of its own. She doesn't remember anything. Not where she's been. And now… she barely talks to me.
Silence.
Not even Oud's snoring seemed to break it.
— And Oud? — she asked at last. — How did you meet?
I looked at the couch.
— It was in a laboratory. I can't explain it. He… was there. Like someone waiting for something to happen. And now he's with me.
Cindi seemed to be assembling an inner puzzle.
— If he lives with this… he may be similar to someone I know. She also lives well, despite everything. But I don't know how. The Ancient Cancer has no cure.
— Do you think you can help Imi? — I asked, with more hope than courage.
She fell silent for a few seconds, thinking.
— I can try… but it isn't simple.
— What do you mean?
— You'll need to bring her here. And that… worries me.
I felt a tremor in my chest.
— So there's a chance?
— There is… but bringing your sister here involves risks. Many of them.
I looked away, clenching my hands.
— I had no other choice.
She took a deep breath.
— Nothing here is simple, Ark. Do you truly understand that?
— If it's to save her… then yes, I do.
Cindi studied me for long seconds before sighing.
— All right. You can stay here. For now. We'll find a way.
She led me to a small room.
When I opened the door, I almost blinked back.
The dimness was cut by faint red lights, blinking like small heartbeats along the walls.
— Wow… — I murmured. — Why are these lights so… weak?
— They do the same thing as the fruits. Protection. Everyone uses them. But if you want, you can turn on the white light.
I stared for a few seconds.
— Good night, Ark — she said, already stepping away. — Tomorrow we'll see what can be done.
— Good night… and thank you. Truly.
When she closed the door, I lay on the bed and watched the lights pulse.
Each one seemed to follow my fractured thoughts, trying to organize something inside me.
Before falling asleep, I whispered into the silence:
— I'll make it… I have to.
The house grew quiet.
But inside me, the struggle was only just beginning.