Chapter 1: Shattered Skies
"The dragon is coming!!"
A terrified voice ripped through the air, echoing across the crumbling remains of what was once a city. People scattered like ants beneath shattered buildings, ducking into the ruins, praying the beast wouldn't notice them.
Above them, a monstrous shadow passed over the ground. A dragon so enormous it blocked the sun swooped low, its black wings spreading fire and fear. Its scales shimmered like obsidian, its eyes glowing with primal hunger.
Dagda stood still, gripping his spear tightly. Gritting his teeth, he hurled it with all his strength.
The weapon struck the beast's chest... and bounced off like a twig. Useless.
The dragon let out a thunderous roar that shook the broken city. Wind and dust swirled. Its presence alone made the ground tremble.
From the rooftops, another figure darted through the wreckage Ronan. He launched a spear of his own, straight at the dragon's eye. It hit the mark.
The creature screamed in agony, clawing at the wound. As it thrashed, Dagda seized the moment. He leapt from a high ledge, sword in hand, landing on the dragon's back. With one deep slash across its spine, he drove his blade through the scaled flesh.
Blood exploded into the air, painting the ruins red. The dragon gave one last roar... then collapsed.
Silence returned.
Dante walked up, kicking debris out of his way. "Well, that was dramatic."
Ronan sighed, wiping his forehead. "Good job, Dagda."
Dagda didn't reply. His eyes were locked on the horizon, where mist and ruin met.
Dante glanced at him. "Why the hell do these creatures exist?"
Ronan shrugged. "Maybe… it's fate. Maybe God hates us."
"Damn... It's boring," Dante muttered.
"Boring?" Ronan raised an eyebrow. "We just killed a dragon."
Dagda nodded slightly. "He's right. This place... it's a cage. I want out."
"Out? Where will you go?" Ronan frowned. "There's nothing left. Only this city has survivors. Everything else is dead or worse."
Dante shook his head. "That's what they say. I want to see for myself."
He turned, walking toward the cluster of makeshift huts. Inside one, he grabbed a bottle of water, some dried meat, and slung a pack over his shoulder.
At the door, he paused. "Goodbye, Ronan."
Ronan stared at him from the doorway. Then, after a moment, he ran after him. "Wait damn it, I'm coming too!"
The two reached the shore, where old boats rocked gently on dark waters. Mist covered the sea like a burial shroud.
They climbed into a small boat, pushing off into the unknown.
Ronan looked around nervously. "I don't see anyone. Nothing but fog."
Dagda squinted. "Where did everyone go? Where are the bones? The bodies?"
Ronan blinked. "Oh... yeah. I never thought about that."
"Maybe they were eaten," Dagda said quietly.
A sudden thud slammed into the bottom of their boat. Ronan yelped. "Something's under us!"
Water erupted as a massive shark three times the size of the boat lunged from beneath. Its jaw snapped wildly as it crashed down into the sea again.
Dagda dove forward, spear in hand. He stabbed into the shark's head, but it roared and swam in circles.
With a growl, he drove the spear into its eye. Blood burst into the water, clouding everything in red. The shark let out one final, guttural sound... then went still.
Both boys clung to the wrecked boat, panting and soaked. Dagda hoisted himself back up, bruised and bloodied. Ronan followed, coughing.
Ronan shouted, "Why the hell did you bring me here?!"
"You followed me, idiot," Dagda groaned.
"We could've died! This sea is cursed!"
Dagda stared out at the mist. "We need to reach Bosco. Maybe there's someone left."
Ronan wiped his face. "You don't even know what's out there. Could be more sharks... worse things."
"Then let's find out."
A long silence followed as the boat drifted further into the fog. Neither of them spoke. The world was quiet too quiet.
Somewhere in the distance, something stirred.
And Dagda kept staring into the mist… as if it stared back.