Chapter 253: Arc 4, Act II, - 98: Nightmares
Sand, dust; swirling and swirling like a dance, like a flame beginning to get too close. Blacks and greys, was it even fair to call it sand? Or was it more appropriate to call it ash?
Ashes were said to remain after destruction after all... "Sister," a young girl was about to cry, in the corner of a building, tucked away like scared little rats.
The building shook and rumbled, the aftermath of a rhythm that was already played. The walls cracked, various furniture and items across the abode, broken; much of it looted.
Out the windows of the brick building, even out the broken down door, sunlight did not peer through, though it was day. A loud distant cough echoed every other second.
"It’ll be okay, it’s okay," an older girl—a sibling—had her arms wrapped around her younger sister. Around eight years old, protecting a girl no older than five.
Long dark hair barely kept and parted down the middle. Deep brown eyes, face in ash and soot. The same hued eyes as the sister she embraced.
"Uff, eugh," Arabella began coughing, turning away from her sister.
"Bella!"
Arabella put her hand out and pushed her sister away from facing her. "I’m—COUGH!—okay," she held her own throat to stop the fit. It always felt like blood was about to be spat out, but it never did...
"It’s getting worse!" the little sister forced herself into her view.
"Sister, it will be fine," her voice cracked. Arabella glanced back down to her sister, covered in an odd aura of light pinks... But nothing was amiss, right?
Arabella shook her head, "The people, with magic will put all the ash down. You heard what the people around town said," she panted.