//3rd POV//
The wasteland stretched out endlessly, a barren landscape under the haunting glow of the Red Moon. The black ash that fell from the sky whispered of ancient battles, forgotten in time, and legends of lost empires that once stood where only ruins remained. The silence was thick, punctuated only by the rustling of a scavenger trio's clothing as they pressed forward, every step sinking slightly into the ashen ground.
Their leader led the way without hesitation. Beneath the mask, a sense of purpose burned, though he rarely spoke of it. His past, like the wasteland, was riddled with scars. His companions, following his swift, sure steps, were less seasoned but held their own secrets close, hoping this journey might yield more than survival—perhaps, redemption or a long-sought answer.
"Hm, the black ash is really coming down, we should hurry." commanded their leader, a tall and lean 18 years old human with spiky white hair wearing fur armor a red scarf and dust mask hiding a handsome face with deep, hollow lavender colored eyes that would make one feel like staring into the abyss itself.
The trio rushed forward, only stopping for their one-armed companion Ivan, toward a downed Dwarven war ship taken down in what was likely a skirmish under the command of their God. The ship was devoid of any survivors, but that isn't what they were here for. This was a mission to gather information on the latest war movements. Information that was vital or that survival of humanity in a war they were vastly out matched for, a war they had no hope in winning.
They had eyed the area, taking note of the giant worm like creature on their leader's orders, a day prairie but decided to go in anyway knowing they had a time limit to get that info.
The trio stood amidst the fallen Dwarven warship, its metal hull scorched and twisted, a silent testament to the conflict that raged between gods and mortals. Black ash clung to every surface, making the air heavy with an acrid tang. The leader's lavender eyes scanned their surroundings, searching for anything that might resemble a control panel or data core.
Ivan, cradling his one arm, leaned against a beam. "You think this wreck still has anything useful? Looks like the worms already had their way with it."
The leader's voice, calm but firm, cut through the thick silence. "We don't have a choice. The Council needs every scrap of intelligence we can find. Even whispers of the gods' movements could change everything."
The third member, a young woman named Aley, crouched near a shattered viewport, his scavenger's toolkit in hand. "Got something here. Looks like part of the ship's central systems—what's left of it, anyway."
"Good," the leader replied, striding over. He knelt beside his, pulling out a handheld device designed to interface with ancient technology. "Plug it in. We don't have much time before that worm decides we're dessert."
Aley's fingers moved deftly, connecting wires and bypassing ruined circuits. The device beeped faintly as he worked. "This thing is ancient… but there's still some power. If I can just—"
Riku knelt by the device, his lavender eyes scanning its flickering output. "Aley, write it all down," he commanded, his voice steady despite the looming danger.
Aley flipped open a weathered notebook, his charcoal pencil poised. "Ready."
The ancient Dwarven machine sputtered, its holographic display revealing fragmented data: troop movements, resource caches, and the faint outlines of plans too grand to comprehend. Riku called out the key points, each word sharp and precise, as Aley scribbled furiously. Ivan stood nearby, scanning the horizon for signs of the worm.
The ground trembled again, more violently this time. Ivan's voice broke the tense silence. "We're out of time!"
Riku slammed the device shut, standing abruptly. "Leave it. We can't risk it leading the enemy here."
Aley hesitated, clutching his notebook. "But this is everything! What if—"
"Trust me," Riku interrupted, his gaze locking onto his. "The settlement comes first. If this device gets tracked, everything we've built will burn."
Aley nodded reluctantly, securing the notebook in his satchel. Before the trio could bolt from the wreckage, the worm burst from the ground, its slick skin glinting under the eerie red light of the moon. It roared, shaking the ashen plain, and turned its monstrous bulk toward them.
As the worm emerged with a deafening roar, its massive body tearing through the ash-covered wasteland, Riku turned to Ivan with a look of grim determination. "Ivan," he said firmly, "you die here."
Ivan didn't hesitate. He nodded, understanding the weight of Riku's words and what they meant for the survival of the settlement. Turning to Aley, he gave him a reassuring smile. "Take care of them, Aley. You've got what it takes."
Aley's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. There was no argument—only the silent acceptance of a man who knew the stakes.
Ivan grabbed the torch they had used to light their way through the wreckage, its flame flickering weakly in the thick ash-laden air. He raised it high, its glow catching the attention of the monstrous worm as it thrashed and screeched.
"I'm over here!" Ivan yelled, his voice echoing across the barren landscape. "Come and get me, you ugly beast!"
The worm's massive head swiveled, its senses honing in on the light and sound. It let out a guttural roar before surging toward him, the ground trembling under its immense weight.
Riku placed a hand on Aley's shoulder, urging him to move. "Go. Now."
Aley hesitated for only a moment, then turned and sprinted toward the distant lights of the settlement, the precious notebook secured tightly in his arms. His footsteps echoed faintly in the eerie silence that followed.
Ivan stood his ground, waving the torch as the worm barreled toward him. "I'm over here!" he shouted, his voice raw and defiant. "Come and get me!"
As the worm's massive jaws loomed closer, Ivan glanced back toward the direction of the settlement, his expression softening. "Take care of my daughter, Riku," he whispered, before turning back to face the beast.