Page 16 of Garden of Ashes & Hope

I step forward, positioning myself slightly in front of Eve. "We're travelers," I call back. "Looking to resupply if you're open to trade."

There's a moment of tense silence before the guard nods. "Approach slowly. Any funny business and you're dead, ya hear?"

The settlement turns out to be a small commune of survivors. As we enter, I'm struck by the relative normalcy of it all - people living life, repairing buildings, children playing. It's been so long since I've seen anything like this.

"Oh, Mordakus, it's wonderful," Eve breathes, her eyes wide with wonder.

I grunt noncommittally, but I have to admit, it's impressive what they've built here. But I know the truth.

Out here in the open… they’re doomed.

Will be rounded up wholesale and put to work.

As we negotiate trades - some of Eve's medicinal plants for supplies we desperately need - I overhear snippets of conversation from nearby settlers.

"...heard there's a place out west..." "...golden coast, they call it..." "...demons and humans, living together in peace..."

I dismiss it as idle gossip, but Eve's ears perk up. "Excuse me," she interrupts politely. "What's this about a golden coast?"

An old man chuckles. "Just a story, little miss. They say there's a colony out on the west coast where demons and humans have found a way to coexist. A real paradise, if you believe the tales."

I scoff. "Sounds like a fantasy to me."

But Eve's eyes are shining with excitement. "What if it's real, Mordakus? A place where everyone can live in peace... isn't that worth checking out?"

I'm about to dismiss the idea outright when I catch sight of her face. The hope there, the pure optimism... it stirs something in me I thought long dead.

"We'll think about it," I say gruffly, surprising myself.

As we prepare to leave the commune, restocked and rested, Eve can't stop talking about the golden coast.

"Just imagine, Mordakus! A fresh start, a place where you wouldn't have to hide who you are."

I grunt, but her enthusiasm is oddly infectious. "Never seen the ocean," I admit. “Demons aren’t the biggest fans of water.”

Eve's face lights up. "Really? Oh, it's beautiful! The endless blue, the sound of the waves..."

As we set out, I find myself actually considering the possibility. A place where demons and humans coexist... could it be real? There’s no reason there aren’t others like me. And if it exists, could there be a place there for someone like me?

"If we're really doing this," I say, interrupting Eve's excited chatter. "We need a plan. It's a long way to the coast."

Eve nods eagerly. "You're the expert. What do you think?"

I pull out a battered map I traded for in the commune, spreading it out on a flat rock. "We're here," I say, pointing. "The coast is way out here. It's not going to be an easy journey."

Eve leans in, her shoulder brushing mine. I stiffen for a moment, then force myself to relax. "We'll need to find water sources along the way," she says thoughtfully. "And safe places to rest."

I nod, impressed by her practical thinking. "Good. We'll also need to avoid any demon attacks. They'll be more frequent as we get closer to populated areas."

As we plot our route, I feel a sense of purpose I haven't experienced in years. This isn't just survival anymore.

It's a mission.

A goal.

We set out the next morning, our path clear. As we walk, I find myself opening up to Eve more, sharing bits of my past I've never told anyone.

Eve listens intently, her face full of compassion. "And what made you like this?" she asks softly.

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