Captain Klimt's memories

A jolt. A feeling of some kind of energy - gently but firmly opens my senses and wakes me up from a tired deep slumber, which is followed by a sensation of the air being forced out of my lungs as I get knocked to the ground. That's how I come back to my senses.

Blood. The unmistakable taste of blood fills my mouth. Is it mine? And a voice… which seems to be coming from far away yet so close, at the same time. Someone screaming in pain.

I try to move, but my body seems frozen. I struggle to move my muscles, but it feels like some sick joker has tied me up with ropes. I thrash around, trying to regain control of my body. And after some time, as if the heavy cold mist vanishes under sunlight, my body starts to return to normal. I open my eyes.

In front of me stands a young man, about as young as my eldest daughter was when I last saw her. He's clearly not from anywhere near Axell, as revealed by his rare jet-black hair, streaked with glowing purple locks. They shine with a faint, soothing purple light. Somehow, it's mesmerizing, compelling me to keep staring.

Then I notice his black eyes, his unusual attire. His unique facial features—unlike anyone from this region -- which exudes kindness and compassion. For some reason, he's holding his right hand like it hurts badly. A strange glow radiates from near his wrist, and… a small stream of blood trickles from the glowing spot. Was it his blood in my mouth? Oh my God!! What… What did I do to him?

Blood—the sight of blood, and his screams of pain… I've felt something like this before… before I succumbed to the mist. Memories... Like a flood, they rush into my brain. Instinctively, I raise my left hand. My left hand, just as normal as any human's, moves exactly how I want it to. What… but last time… and… am I alive? I start touching all around my body. My face, my chest… I can feel my warmth. I can feel my heartbeat.

Then I remember. That horrible day when an ominous wave of grey mist spread throughout the city, and everything - including the sky - turned grey. Just thinking about those scenes sends a shiver down my spine. And yet, the images are etched into my mind, refusing to fade.

It's been around three weeks since I was reassigned as the captain of the peacekeeping forces of Lexell Town. As someone born and raised in this very city, returning to Lexell as a guardian of its people - of their lives and peaceful existence - filled me with immense pride.

Yet this same city also holds painful memories. A child giggled with pure happiness nearby - and for a moment, I thought it was my daughter. But no… she's gone. Long gone. I wasn't there then, and I can't fail again now. After two years since the death of my Meggie and my elder daughter, I've returned to the city - now promoted as captain, with the privilege to report directly to the count. I'm a guardian of the people… yet I couldn't guard my dearest ones.

It was the weekend - the ninth day of the week. A general leisure day. People were relaxing, shopping, and spending time together. We were near the outer wall of the city - the pitiful settlements of the poorest people, occasionally spotted with the mansions of merchants. I was stationed at the market, tasked with capturing the "market rats" who stole from the merchants and fled at the first hint of danger.

The market was lively, with people walking around, shopping and chatting. Young couples talking romantically to each other, children walking down the streets holding their parents' hands, face bright from happiness. Who could have guessed that hell would be unleashed on such an unremarkable, pleasant day?

A sudden wave of panicked screams and cries made us rush toward the outer portion of the city—bustling with commercial areas and commoners' homes. What is it? An explosion? A wyvern attack? Some other violence? But if it's a wyvern attack, why weren't the alarms triggered?

That's when people started screaming and pointing at the sky—and instinctively, I looked up too. My heart skipped a beat. Goosebumps rose on my skin.

A wave of grey spread silently and swiftly across the sky from the west. The sight of that ominous, lifeless color swallowing the familiar blue, erasing the clouds in its path, made people scream in absolute terror. Some weak-hearted ones began to faint.

And then… a mist.

People screamed with renewed fear as a wall of grey mist rushed toward us, covering everything in its path. Panic broke loose. Everyone began running toward the city center as if the Church of Lucificius itself could save them.

"Don't rush! Let the children, women, and aged ones go in front - try not to get separated in the crowd!" Some of my fellow soldiers, who had recovered from the initial shock, tried to reassure the people and direct the evacuation. But I could still hear their armor clinking as their bodies trembled in fear.

I too helped with the evacuation - but… what about the people beyond the city walls? Who would help them?

We didn't have much time. Within moments, the mist reached us. It felt cold on the skin, yet somehow not cold. It felt like it was burrowing into the flesh, piercing the bones, and embracing the soul with an alien grip. It evoked a dread - an indescribable dread beyond comprehension.

By this time, almost everyone - even those who had been stunned before - started running. A few fell in the chaos. I feared that at least some of them would be hurt in the stampede.

Then came the sound of people violently shutting windows and doors. Many homeowners and merchants showed mercy, letting strangers inside their homes. They were all frantic, desperate not to let even a sliver of mist enter.

Out of nowhere, people began collapsing. First a few elderly, too weak in body and spirit, caught in the stampede. Then the children - held tightly by their parents but still trapped in the press of desperate humans flooding narrow city passages. People started clawing at one another in attempts to flee from the mist - and still, more and more began to fall.

I could feel my heart pounding madly. What is happening? My legs began to tremble. Whatever this mist was, my instincts screamed that it was beyond natural. Something no one could stop. Maybe… even running wouldn't help.

My shield slipped from my fingers with a hollow clang. A child's sandal lay in the dust beside it.

I closed my eyes.

If this is the inevitable end of everything… there's no point in struggling. Meggie… finally, I'm coming to you…