The Doom in the Ruins

The silence after battle was always the heaviest.

Raiyan stood still, his chest rising and falling, his sword dripping with black ichor. The twisted creatures lay around him, their bodies dissolving into the dust of the ruined city.

But he wasn't at peace.

Because something was watching him.

Beyond the ruins, past the broken streets and shattered towers, Raiyan felt it. A gaze—cold, unblinking, ancient.

And it was waiting.

He turned toward the presence, his grip tightening on his sword. His body screamed for rest, but instinct told him—he had no time.

Then—a voice.

Soft, deep, almost amused.

> "You are not like the others."

Raiyan's breath hitched. The voice did not echo. It wasn't sound. It was… in his mind.

Slowly, something stepped forward.

---

At first, it was only a silhouette, hidden by the ash-filled wind. Then, step by step, it emerged.

A figure—tall, draped in flowing black robes that moved unnaturally, like they weren't bound by the wind. A hood covered most of its face, but beneath the shadow, Raiyan caught a glimpse of golden eyes—not human, not entirely alive.

The presence around it was suffocating.

Raiyan instinctively raised his sword.

The figure stopped, tilting its head slightly.

> "You do not know what you are, do you?"

The words sent a chill down Raiyan's spine.

He didn't answer.

> "You carry a blade that should not exist."

The figure's gaze flicked toward his sword.

And Raiyan felt it.

A sudden, violent pulse from the blade in his hands.

Like it was reacting to the figure's presence.

Or… remembering.

Raiyan clenched his jaw. "Who are you?"

The figure smiled. Or at least, Raiyan thought it did.

> "I go by many names."

"But for now… you may call me Doom."

--

Doom took another step forward. Not a hostile movement. But not friendly, either.

It studied Raiyan, as if piecing something together.

> "You should not be here," it murmured. "You are an anomaly."

The word sent a strange shiver through Raiyan's body.

Anomaly.

He had been called that before.

In the abyss. By the other voice.

What did it mean?

Doom's golden eyes glowed faintly.

> "I have watched countless souls fall into this ruined city."

"You are different."

Raiyan exhaled slowly, his body tense. "What is this place?"

For the first time, Doom was silent.

Then—

> "A memory."

Raiyan stiffened. "A memory of what?"

Doom's gaze lifted, looking beyond Raiyan, toward the ruins.

> "Of a war that never ended."

-

A sudden rumble shook the ground.

Raiyan staggered back, gripping his sword.

From the distant ruins, something moved.

Not like the creatures before. Not like the wretches.

This was something larger.

Stronger.

Doom sighed.

> "You do not have much time."

Raiyan snapped toward him. "What's coming?"

Doom slowly turned his head, golden eyes locking onto Raiyan's.

> "A hunter."

Another tremor shook the air.

This time, Raiyan felt it.

A presence—massive, suffocating, ancient.

It had sensed him.

And it was coming.

Raiyan gritted his teeth. "How do I stop it?"

Doom smiled faintly.

> "You don't."

---

A piercing howl ripped through the sky.

Raiyan's breath caught. The very air trembled.

Then, in the distance—the ground tore open.

A rift. Blacker than the abyss, deeper than the void.

And from within, something began to emerge.

A shape. A shadow.

No—a nightmare.

Doom turned away.

> "Run, little swordsman."

Raiyan's heart pounded.

But his feet didn't move.

Because deep inside him—somewhere beyond fear—

Something else whispered.

A voice, not his own.

"Do not run."

"Face it."

---

To Be Continued…