Whispers in the Wreckage

Anaxi crouched in the ruins of the village square, examining the debris. The storm had been brutal, and from what they’d heard on the road, they weren’t sure how much ahead Victor was. He always knew how to prey on the vulnerable, exploiting chaos to weave his web tighter.

A small voice startled them from their thoughts. “Are you… one of them?”

They turned to see a girl standing a few steps away, her arms wrapped around herself. She couldn’t have been more than twelve, her dark hair tangled, her eyes sharp but wary.

“One of who?” Anaxi asked, rising slowly to avoid spooking her.

“The Creche,” the girl said, studying them carefully. “You don’t move like them, though. And you don’t glow.”

“No, I’m not Creche,” Anaxi replied, brushing dust from their coat. “But I’ve worked with them before. What’s your name?”

“Mina,” she said cautiously.

“Well, Mina, I’m Anaxi. What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be with your family?”

Mina scowled. “They’re over there, helping rebuild the village,” She gestured vaguely toward the wreckage. “What’s left of it, anyway.”

“I’m sorry,” Anaxi said, meaning it. “The storm hit hard.”

“It’s not just the storm,” Mina said, kicking a loose pebble. “There’s worse coming. I heard the elders talking.”

Anaxi’s curiosity sharpened. “What worse?”

Mina hesitated, as though weighing whether to trust this stranger. “There’s a man,” she said finally. “He’s looking for something. The elders think he’s dangerous.”

Anaxi’s stomach tightened. Victor.

“What’s he looking for?” they asked carefully.

Mina glanced around nervously, lowering her voice. “Something we’ve been hiding. Something… powerful.”

Anaxi crouched again, keeping their tone calm. “Do you know what it is?”

“No,” Mina lied quickly, her face a shade too neutral.

Anaxi raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. “If it’s dangerous, the village needs to protect it.”

Mina bit her lip. “I think they already are.” She glanced over her shoulder toward a small cluster of houses, then back at Anaxi. “But I don’t think it’s safe here anymore. Not with him coming.”

Something about her tone told Anaxi she wasn’t just parroting the elders’ fears. She knew more than she was saying.

“I’m looking for that man,” Anaxi said gently. “If I can stop him, maybe your village will be safe again.”

Mina’s eyes widened. “You’re going after him?”

“I am,” Anaxi said. “But I need to know what he’s after to stop him.”

Mina hesitated again, then blurted, “It’s an orb. The Weaver—she said it’s important.”

Anaxi froze, their mind racing. They had heard rumors of objects like this- the Creche would sometimes create evolutionary . If Victor wanted it, the danger was greater than Mina or her village could imagine.

“Where is it?” Anaxi asked softly.

Mina crossed her arms defensively. “Why should I tell you? I don’t even know you.”

“Because if Victor gets it, your village won’t stand a chance,” Anaxi said, their voice firm. “I’m not here to take it. I’m here to make sure he doesn’t.”

Mina stared at them, her expression torn. Finally, she whispered, “It’s in my house.”

“Can you show me?”

Mina nodded reluctantly, leading Anaxi through the shattered streets to a small, crooked house on the edge of the village. It was in disrepair, but still appeared to be structurally sound.

Inside, Mina pointed to her bed. “Under there,” she said.

Anaxi crouched and lifted the mattress, revealing a cloth-wrapped bundle. The orb glowed faintly, its light casting eerie shadows on the walls. They unwrapped it and held it in their hand. Captured briefly by its glow. 

“Why do you have this?” Anaxi asked, their voice hushed.

“A Weaver made it for me a long time ago. Before Victor came. My mother said I should keep it safe.”

Before Anaxi could respond, a sound outside made them freeze—a faint hum, low and menacing.

“Creche,” they whispered.

Mina’s eyes went wide as Anaxi tensed slightly, like a cat ready to pounce. “What?” Mina said. 

“Stay here,” Anaxi ordered, tucking the orb into their satchel. “And don’t open the door for anyone.”

“But—”

“No arguments,” Anaxi said, their voice steely. “I’ll come back for you.”

They slipped out the door, their senses on high alert. In the distance, they saw the familiar glint of Victor’s enforcers and the unmistakable forms of Creche scouts.

Victor was closer than they’d thought.