118

[Inari POV]

The ground felt cold to the touch. The brimstone and cobble that populated the streets felt almost… almost dead. Like even the materials around here had their souls taken from it.

My feet carried me through the town, placing my hand on doors and pushing them in. Watching them creak and turn as I inspected the inside.

I found them quite cozy, with fireplaces carrying still hot embers in them. Beds that had indents where the inhabitants had slept. And kitchens still smelling of freshly cooked meals.

I even saw baby cradles, with obvious toys and clothes strewn across the houses. And so, it made no sense that there was nothing here. Not when it was so obvious that people had made their living here, had survived and lived a comfortable life.

It was as if they had all disappeared, had all been called for some kind of meaning. But what, what was it that had happened.