Rising From Ashes

In the hours that followed, no one spoke. Sayane used every bit of strength she had left to hum a song of gentle peace to all who could hear. Eventually, every survivor gathered around her and fell asleep. Only Echo and Sayane remained awake. After wrestling with the question for an hour, Sayane finally turned to Echo.

“Did you know? Did you know this was coming?” she asked.

Echo shook his head.

“I would have never brought her if I did. I had no knowledge of this or part in it. I am truly sorry.”

Sayane exhaled, slightly relieved that at least he was not traitor to them.

“Why? Why would they do this? We aren’t even The Revolution. These people were refugees and beggars… We weren’t a threat?!” Sayane whimpered.

“I don’t know,” Echo replied.

Though neither of them said it, Sayane was feeling a new dread. Guilt. Deep in her heart, she feared this was because of her. Maybe the whispers of a songstress being alive had led The Silence to lash out. If this was because of her, Sayane was half tempted to throw herself off a ledge and end her existence for good, so that no more harm could befall any others.

It was as though Echo could sense her doubt.

“You did not cause this, songstress. No one is to blame except The Silence. May their souls never know rest,” he sneered in defeat.

Tears ran down Sayane’s dirt-coated face as she nodded and tried to accept his words of comfort. It almost worked, but the guilt was too strong to be banished. Instead, Sayane resolved to bury it deep and try not to think about it.

“What do we do now?” Echo asked.

“We can’t stay here,” Azag sighed from beside them.

Earlier, Sayane had helped lay him onto the ground after Can-Mo had reapplied his mask. As he woke to them speaking, his wounded hand reached up to make sure it was in place. Once he confirmed it was, his gaze settled on his healing hand. The burns were not nearly as severe anymore. Seeing them, he realized what Sayane had done.

“Sayane, no. You took on all of that yourself?” he asked.

Looking at her gave him his answer. Her color was gone, and her cheeks seemed gaunt. Black bags lined her hollowed eyes.

“I had to save you all. I was afraid you were going to die. I knew I could take it. I had to. I had to… save…” her words ended as the sobs overpowered her.

Now that others were awake, she could finally take a break and break down. Though once she allowed herself to surrender to grief, it faded almost instantly. Healthy or not, it was as though survivalism was telling her she had to stay strong. Grieving would have to wait. So she wiped her eyes and took Azag’s hand.

“You saved us, once again. You, and Esca.”

To her surprise, Azag sighed as though he might weep himself.

“Not everyone. Echo, I tried. As soon as I heard the explosions, I tried to rush to her. But I was too slow, and the attack came so quickly.”

Echo exhaled and nodded in solemn understanding.

“She was gone by the time I got to her. I think it was instant. I don’t think she felt any pain. I don’t… think she hurt…” Azag’s hand covered his face as sobs shook his chest.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I tried. I tried.”

Echo crawled over to the hulking body and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You saved all of us. And you brought my daughter’s body to me. Otherwise she would have been lost. I was able to hold her and feel her warmth fade because of you. For as long as my bloodline lives, we will honor Azag, the noblest of us all,” Echo said as tears fell from his face and onto Azag’s mask.

Words escaped Azag and all he could do was hold Sayane’s hand. There they sat for what felt like another hour. In time, others began to wake. Sayane knew they could not stay.

“We need to leave this place. But where can we go?” she asked.

Attis sat up and looked at them in concerned reserve. It was as though he had an idea he did not want to articulate. A sigh from Azag told him that he knew as well.

“Attis. You know the way? Don’t you?” Azag asked.

Attis’s ears perked and he nodded.

“It would be a week’s walk with this many injured. There will be a few perilous parts of exposure and uncertainty, but we could make it…” Attis said.

Azag forced himself to sit up as he shook his head with heavy abandon. Others around them listened in confusion, but some were already piecing the plan together.

“We have to assume the other Underworld districts were struck as well. Our best bet, sounds save us, is The Revolution’s base. At the edge of the Shores of Time.”

Hearing the words aloud sent a chill of uncertainty and resolution through Sayane’s heart. Ever since arriving in this world, she had stayed arm’s length from The Revolution. Azag’s tavern and the quiet rebellion of peaceful existence had been enough for her. But now, she felt a call for something more.

Bloodstains on her body and clothes told her there was more she needed to do. Even just singing in that simple tavern hall had given so many strength and peace. Until now, she had been satisfied with that. Now, looking out at The Silence’s cruelty firsthand, Sayane found herself being called to fight. More than singing in a tavern. She needed to do more. And The Revolution could be her answer.

Her hand squeezed Azag’s as she paused and measured her words.

“Azag, if we are going there, what would you do if I said I wanted to fight? I don’t know if I want to join The Revolution, or work with them, but I do not think I want to hide in the shadows anymore…” Sayane said.

Glowing eyes looked to her with unreadable thoughts hidden behind their neon cyan. Azag’s head lowered.

“I would join you, if you will have me. There is nothing for me here anymore. And being by your side has given me more purpose and peace than I have known in decades. I do not want you to join Erosc’s suicide missions, but I will aid you no matter what you decide.”

His answer surprised Sayane. She had expected resistance and words of caution, but it seemed that even Azag felt this was a shifting point in the conflict. A songstress was alive. Instruments were awakening. People were healing. And all the while, The Silence was escalating its violence.

Beside them, Attis stood and faced Sayane.

“You have my vow of support as well, Sayane. I will follow wherever you go,” Attis said as he bowed solemnly.

Echo sniffed and wiped his eyes.

“I have nothing left but rage. I told you I would help you, songstress. And I will. I will help you return to the vault where we first met, and take whatever sacred instruments we can. I do not promise I will live beyond that. But if my last act is aiding the future destruction of the Empire, I will happily due so, and I shall use my last breath to spit venom in their faces,” Echo hissed as he stood, still holding the body of his daughter.

Around them, the crowd began to move closer. All eyes looked to Sayane and Azag.

“Please, I am no leader. I do not know what I am doing. I am just a girl who sings…” she whispered.

“No. You are our songstress,” Azag said as he moved to kneel before her.

His words moved her, but as she looked at him, Sayane knew she was only who she was in that moment because of the aid and grace he had given her. Without him, she would have died by now.

“And you are our leader and protector, Azag. Our guardian,” she replied.

Murmurs of agreement drifted through the desolate cavern. Azag glanced around nervously, but all he saw was admiration and bowed heads. Attis stepped forward.

“Honor to Sayane the Songstress! Honor to Azag the Guardian!” Attis bellowed as he beat his chest.

Across the cavern, all others did the same. A rushing sensation that was almost hopeful began to swell in Sayane’s chest. It was bittersweet, and tinged with hate, but it was also noble and daring. The seventy or so souls that were still alive all beat their chests and knelt before Sayane and Azag in reverence.

“Honor to Sayane the Songstress! Honor to Azag the Guardian!”

“Honor to Sayane the Songstress! Honor to Azag the Guardian!”

“Long may they guide us, nurture us, and shield us,” said Attis.

With that, the sounding cheers stopped. Tears flowed anew. All of it was too stunning for Sayane, who had only ever known fandoms of idolhood. These people were not fans. They saw her as their hope. They were her followers. They were her faithful. They were hers to protect.

Sayane looked to Azag, who for the first time did not shy away. His bracing was still broken, so he struggled to stand. Echo rushed to his side and held out a hand for support, just as Sayane did the same. Azag’s hands met theirs and he allowed them to help him rise.

Once her stood, he bowed to the crowd without releasing Sayane’s hand.

“I do not know what lies ahead, but I will do everything I can to keep you all from harm. You have my word, I will deliver us to safety.”

Claps and chest beats sounded out amid cries of release and prayers to a dozen unknown gods.

“Pack light. Leave behind anything you can, save for a single memento. We will split the loads of grain and green. Fill two pouches of water each. Gather the dead in the center, so that we may burn them to rest. Then, We shall burn this district away so that The Silence may never find value in its ruin! We depart for the Shores of Time at dawn!” Azag commanded.

Adrenaline spiked Sayane’s blood as she felt his voice shake her ribs. It was time to leave The Underworld. Revolution awaited them. With Azag, Attis, Echo, and the comrades with her, Sayane was ready for anything.