Page 17 of Garden of Ashes & Hope

I stare into the distance, memories flooding back. "Realized that humans were not the enemy."

Eve's hand on my arm startles me. "That’s why you helped me," she says with a smile.

As we continue our journey, I start to see the world differently. Eve's constant wonder at the plants we encounter, her ability to find beauty in the most desolate places... it's changing how I view our surroundings.

"Look, Mordakus!" she exclaims one day, pointing to a cluster of vibrant flowers growing from a crack in the stone. “Even out here life finds a way…”

I find myself nodding, actually seeing the beauty she's pointing out. It's... unsettling, how much she's affecting me.

As we make camp one night, a thought that's been nagging at me finally surfaces. "Eve," I say hesitantly. "Do you ever wonder if... if the demons might be right? About their desires for expanding, I mean. In this world, they’re trying to make their mark alongside the other creatures and whatnot."

She looks at me, surprised. "What do you mean?"

I struggle to put my thoughts into words. "Maybe... maybe the demons' way is better. A fresh start that’s different from what Protheka has always known."

Eve is quiet for a long moment. "I don't know," she says finally. "Maybe some change was needed. But not like this. Not with so much destruction and suffering."

I nod, mulling over her words. "You might be right," I admit.

As I take my first watch that night, I find myself looking at Eve's sleeping form, Vincent curled up beside her. My protective instincts towards them have grown stronger with each passing day. It's dangerous, this attachment. But for the first time in years, I'm not sure I want to fight it.

The golden coast may be a myth, a false hope.

But the journey itself... maybe that's what really matters.

And maybe, just maybe, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

12

EVE

The rising sun paints the sky in shades of pink and gold as we set out towards the west.

Towards the golden coast.

Towards hope.

I can't help but smile, feeling a lightness in my heart that I haven't experienced in years. "What's got you so happy?" Mordakus grumbles, but I catch the hint of amusement in his voice.

"Can't you feel it?" I say, spreading my arms wide. "It's like... like we're finally moving towards something, not just running away."

He grunts, but I see the corners of his mouth twitch upward. "Don't get too excited. It's still a long, dangerous journey."

"I know," I nod, sobering slightly. "But we're in this together, right?"

Mordakus looks at me for a long moment, his red eyes unreadable. Then he nods. "Together."

As we walk, I can't help but notice the change in Mordakus. There's a new energy to his stride, a sense of purpose that wasn't there before. He pores over the map during our rest breaks, plotting our course with an intensity that leaves me in awe.

"See this river?" he says, pointing to a blue line on the worn paper. "If we follow it, it'll lead us to a mountain pass. Might be our best bet for avoiding demon encounters."

I lean in, our shoulders brushing. I feel him tense for a moment, then relax. Progress, I think with a small smile.

"That's brilliant," I say, genuinely impressed. "And look, this area along the river - it's likely to have a lot of edible and medicinal plants. We could stock up as we go."

Mordakus nods approvingly. "Good thinking. Your plant knowledge has been... useful."

Coming from him, it's high praise, and I feel a warm glow of pride.

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