Horrific Shorts: Zombie Edition

The chamber began collapsing.

Golden stones fell from the ceiling as cracks raced across the walls.

Victoria Kane grabbed Lyra’s hand.

"Everyone out!"

The seven successors moved immediately.

Arkon raised his sword, deflecting falling debris.

Ordan planted his shield above the group.

Seraphine protected the wounded with waves of silver light.

Thalen guided the others toward the staircase.

But the enormous golden eye beneath them continued opening.

A deep pulse shook the palace.

BOOM.

Victoria looked down.

"What are you?"

The ancient voice answered.

"I am the Witness."

The golden eye widened.

"I existed before the First World."

Dawn stepped closer.

"You are not the First Creator."

"No."

"You are not the Void."

"No."

Nox’Rath’s expression darkened.

"Then what are you?"

The Witness answered,

"I remember every beginning that failed."

Silence filled the chamber.

Evelyn stared at Elias Crow’s journal.

Its pages turned rapidly.

Then a message appeared.

The Witness records every creation that was abandoned.

Victoria looked toward the golden eye.

"Why are you beneath Asterion?"

"Because this city was built upon the final surviving memory of the First World."

Lyra stepped forward.

"That’s why I exist."

The Witness focused on her.

"Yes."

Lyra’s golden eyes flickered.

"I am its memory."

"You are its final choice."

Suddenly, the crystal in Victoria’s hand began vibrating.

The First Void’s crystal form released a black beam.

It struck the Witness.

The ancient eye recoiled.

"The test has awakened the consequence."

Victoria raised the Dawnblade.

"What’s happening?"

Dawn looked at the crystal.

"It isn’t a prison."

Victoria frowned.

"Then what is it?"

"A key."

The crystal suddenly flew from Victoria’s hand and entered the Witness.

A tremendous explosion of golden and black energy filled the chamber.

The Witness screamed.

Across Asterion, every citizen heard the sound.

Then thousands of memories appeared above the city.

Wars.

Births.

Deaths.

Love.

Betrayal.

Entire civilizations rose and vanished within seconds.

Father Gabriel looked upward.

"We’re seeing the history of creation."

Evelyn shook her head.

"No."

"We’re seeing what creation forgot."

The Witness began rising from beneath the palace.

Its enormous golden form emerged through the foundations.

Victoria stared in awe.

It was larger than Azrakar.

Its body was covered with countless glowing memories.

The First Hunger looked up.

"I know what this is."

Victoria turned.

"What?"

The creature’s expression became solemn.

"The Archive of the Lost."

The Witness spoke across the heavens.

"Every forgotten world must be remembered."

Black cracks spread through the sky.

Victoria raised her Dawnblade.

"What happens if you remember them all?"

The Witness answered.

"They return."

Everyone froze.

Lyra whispered,

"Return?"

The golden memories began forming worlds around Asterion.

Dead cities.

Lost stars.

Forgotten civilizations.

Their outlines became increasingly solid.

Valerius looked horrified.

"Some of those worlds were destroyed for a reason."

Victoria looked at him.

"Then we’ll face the consequences."

The Witness turned toward her.

"That is the second test."

The sky split open.

Millions of forgotten souls appeared beyond the cracks.

Some reached toward Asterion.

Others screamed.

And among them stood one familiar figure.

Victoria’s face went pale.

She knew him.

Someone who should have died long ago.

The figure smiled.

"Keeper..."

Victoria whispered his name.

Then the Witness spoke.

"Choose which forgotten world deserves to return."

The golden eye opened wider.

"You cannot save them all."

Victoria tightened her grip on the Dawnblade.

For the first time...

She wasn’t certain there was another choice.

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