Present – Part 2
The air changed.
Not because of cold. But because of something deeper.
When Noah spoke that name, something in the room pulled back – as if the darkness itself had become afraid.
Medea.
A word that sounded more like a curse than a name.
Kyro stayed silent. The resonance inside him trembled – like a light unsure whether to shine or fade.
Utak stood to the side. Hands buried in his pockets, eyes fixed on the wall, as if not looking could make the truth disappear.
Elias said nothing. But something moved inside him. You could feel it.
Kyro (quietly)
"What is she?"
Elias (after a pause)
"I don't know."
Kyro
"But you've seen her?"
A short look. No reaction. No movement.
Elias
"No. But I felt that she was there. And that she was watching us."
Noah slowly sat back down.
Noah
"She is not part of the island. She is the island. Or what guards it."
Utak stepped forward.
Utak (sharply)
"What exactly is she guarding?"
Elias looked into the shadows behind the crystals.
Elias
"Something that was never meant to be found."
Kyro (carefully)
"And you were there?"
Elias nodded.
"Not by choice. We were searching for a place to survive. Instead… we lost everything."
Kyro (softly)
"You said earlier… you weren't alone? Was she with you?"
A flicker passed over Elias's face. Pain, briefly visible.
Elias
"Celeste."
The name floated in the air like a memory that didn't want to leave.
Elias
"She was stronger than me. Smarter. Braver. She knew what was coming, but she chose not to run. Not again. Not in silence."
Noah looked down.
Noah
"She was already pregnant when we arrived. Close to giving birth."
Kyro
"And… she gave birth to you?"
Noah nodded.
"Among ruins. During a resonance storm. No protection. No doctor. Just her and my father."
Utak (shocked)
"Damn…"
Elias's voice became fragile.
Elias
"She held him for three days. And then… she was gone."
Kyro (softly)
"She died?"
Elias
"Not exactly. Not right away. Death doesn't work the same way on Black Mark. The island pulls at you. It tests you. And if you're weak… it drags things into your grave that should never live."
Kyro stayed quiet.
Elias
"Celeste was the strongest person I've ever known. But what she saw out there… it took the last piece of her."
Silence followed.
Elias
"We buried her under an ancient pillar. Between roots and stone. And even if it's naive – I believe she still watches us."
Noah (quietly)
"I don't remember her. But sometimes… I dream of a voice. Of a hand."
Utak clenched his fist.
Utak
"And all of this just because you wanted the truth?"
Elias
"Yes."
Utak
"And the Upper City sent you here for that?"
Elias
"They send everyone here who doesn't fit. Who knows too much. Or believes too little."
Kyro stood up. His hands shook slightly.
Kyro
"How many?"
Elias
"Hundreds. Maybe more."
Kyro
"And how many are still alive?"
Noah
"Most of them aren't."
Elias nodded.
"Some survived. They hid. Built their own camps. But there is no hope left in those places."
Kyro (serious)
"Then why doesn't anyone return?"
Elias smiled faintly.
Elias
"Because there's no one left to return."
A heavy silence spread between them.
Kyro
"So Black Mark is… a prison?"
Elias
"No. It's an experiment. A lie. And a grave."
Kyro
"And the Upper City knows that?"
Elias
"They created it."
Kyro felt the resonance flicker inside him.
Kyro
"Then… was the village part of the plan too?"
Elias
"No. That was something else. The ones you met – they were already dead. But they were used."
Utak
"By what?"
Elias
"By things that live off resonance. That drink you empty – without you even noticing."
Noah
"It was a trap. You were supposed to feel safe. And then be drained. Piece by piece."
Utak stepped away from the fire.
Utak (quietly)
"We were just… toys."
Elias
"Welcome to Black Mark."
Kyro closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.
Then looked at Elias again.
Kyro
"Why are you helping us?"
Elias
"Because I've watched too many die."
Kyro
"And that's all?"
Noah
"Maybe also because you reminded us of something."
Kyro
"Of what?"
Noah
"Of hope."
Silence again.
Kyro
"And what about Medea?"
Elias (after a pause)
"She is the last thing you ever want watching you."
Kyro
"So she's a monster?"
Noah
"No. She's something that exists because no one was allowed to think freely anymore."
The words lingered.
Utak stepped closer to Kyro.
Utak
"What do we do now?"
Kyro looked to Elias.
Elias
"If you're ready – we'll show you what lies beyond."
Kyro nodded.
Noah
"But there's one thing you should know."
Kyro
"What?"
Noah
"Hope… is the most dangerous thing you can have on Black Mark."
The flame in the center flickered.
And somewhere outside… something whispered.