“Shadows descended from the heavens like angels of death. Wave after wave, the flames of destruction washed upon them. There was no hope left and all was consumed by the beasts of darkness.” 

​

Sapphire recalled the tale of the ancient people as she walked among their ruins. Large, crumbling buildings of stone were overtaken by years of greenery and overgrowth. The once bustling metropolis had become a thick jungle. Sapphire adjusted her exploration cap, causing her blonde ponytail to bob up and down. She scooted her bag filled with various maps and supplies up her back and tugged on the sides of her brown, dusty jacket. 

​

“Hey, Saf, are you just gonna stand there and talk to yourself or are we gonna explore?” 

​

Standing above Sapphire, on an oversized tree, a man with red hair and a similar garb to Sapphire’s own smiled at her. His eyes shone in the sunlight filtered through the tree canopies. 

​

“Calm down, Ty. Some of us have to actually carry the supplies,” Sapphire said. 

​

“Sorry for trying to have a little fun.” Ty stuck his tongue out at Sapphire.

​

She stuck her tongue out at him and the two laughed. 

​

Ty hopped down the tree, one branch at a time, until he was standing face to face with Sapphire’s ocean eyes. “Find anything interesting yet?” he asked...