• tab I returned home after seven months and nineteen days of work. I walked past the outer wall, into the outer rim of the city, and stood there, absolutely stunned.
    tab In front of me, where I expected to see buildings standing tall and proud, displaying all varieties of architecture, lay piles of rubble and ash, the remnants of the buildings that were so familiar to me. I expected to see the streets alive with people of different races, as it was only midday. Instead, I found people, not bustling about, running different errands, but lining the streets, poor, homeless, and probably heartbroken. Even the fountain I used to play in during my youth had stopped flowing and begun to crumble, its water having evaporated or been drunk by the starving, thirsty people.
    tab I stood in the gate, feeling shocked, alone, and misplaced, as I was the only one in the outer rim of the city to wear good clothing. Although my clothing was faded and torn, it was in much better condition than what some others wore.
    tab “What happened while I was gone? What could have caused all of this in only seven months?” I asked myself over and over.
    tab It did not take much time for beggars to approach me, asking for food, water, or some money. Feeling distraught, I gave them all of the food and water I had brought along, as well as all of my money and even my tattered hat. I only wish I had brought more with me, as more and more people asked me for help, but I had to turn them away. Unfortunately, some grew angry. Had my friend not interfered at that moment, their anger would have escalated to violence.
    tab “Ayda, I am glad to have caught you here,” Zane said, running up to me.
    tab I was surprised to see him wearing clean clothing, unlike the other people in the area. He himself seemed cleaner as well, with no layer of filth covering his skin and his dark red hair tied neatly back.
    tab As Zane grew closer, the beggars scattered. He rested a hand on my shoulder and said, “Let’s get going, shall we?”
    tab I thought he seemed somewhat cheerful, and was appalled by the thought. However, one look into his warm hazel eyes told me he was as concerned as I was, and perhaps even a little scared.
    tab “What happened here?” I asked him as he escorted me to the inner wall.
    tab “After you left, things just seemed to go downhill,” he replied, turning away from me.
    tab “All of this cannot possibly be my fault,” I said as I looked upon the ruins of my once great city.
    tab “I’m not saying it is. No one seems to know the true reason all of this happened, but I know that it started only a few days after you left. I should warn you, however, that some believe it was your doing, and you fled, claiming you had a job in another city,” Zane said, looking back at me.
    tab I stopped walking, placed a hand on Zane’s shoulder, and asked, “What event started all of this? How did Kuniari City, one of the greatest, liveliest cities on Pathia, become the desolate landscape I see now?”
    tab Zane simply brushed my hand off of his shoulder and said, “Perhaps your sister can tell you.”
    tab “What is that supposed to mean?” I asked as we continued to walk.
    tab “It means I cannot speak of what happened, because I do not truly know what happened. Your sister, High Judge Fina, knows more than I about the subject. Of course, you’ll have to set a time for a meeting,” Zane said sadly.
    tab “Fina was elected ruler. I did not know she wanted to involve herself in politics. How long is the wait list to meet with her?” I asked.
    tab “Only about five weeks long,” Zane replied.
    tab “Five weeks? That’s ridiculous!” I shouted.
    tab Zane simply shrugged his shoulder before saying, “Many bad things are happening to Kuniari citizens. They petition to High Judge Fina to help them. Fortunately, as soon as I heard rumors of the beginning of a war between Hermior City and Jokilia City, I scheduled an appointment with her High Judge. This meeting happens to be in three days. You are welcome to use it to your advantage.”
    tab “Zane, I don’t know how to repay you,” I said, overwhelmed with this little piece of joyous information.
    tab “Ayda, you don’t need to repay me in any form. You’ve already done so much for me, I am happy to help you in any way you need me. Speaking of which, you’ll be staying with me while you’re in the city,” Zane said.
    tab “Why? Is my old home not suitable?” I asked, smiling because I remembered how Zane always thought I lived in a trash heap, as I was never a neat person.
    tab “Your home, as you know it, no longer exists. It was turned into a home for the poor and homeless within the inner city,” Zane said, his face stoic.
    tab I gasped and asked, “How could my little home, with only three separate rooms and one bathing room, house more than a few people?”
    tab “It is against the old housing regulations, yes, but it seems that as living conditions became worse, the High Judge before High Judge Fina noticed that the number of family members living in one house increased. The previous High Judge changed the housing restrictions, so as to make life for citizens a little easier. I managed to keep my home, though, without any tenants,” Zane said.
    tab By now, we had reached the large gate that would open to reveal the wide bridge leading across the lake to the inner city. Zane showed one of the guards his identification mark on his upper arm, so the guard slowly opened the gate.
    tab We then continued to walk, heading for the inner city and Zane’s home. I looked out over the once clear water to find that it was now brown, with green algae lying calmly on the surface.
    tab “Zane, what’s happened to our lake?” I asked, appalled.
    tab Zane, however, did not reply, probably because I already knew he did not know the answer.
    tab I walked to the railing at the edge of the bridge and looked out over the stagnate water. Without giving it much thought, I jumped over the railing and into the lake. Once underwater, I opened my eyes. Despite the murkiness of the lake, I saw dead fish floating below the surface, suspended in the water, as if frozen in a dirty block of ice. Even the colors of the fish, once brilliant shades of orange and yellow, had faded to dull colors unworthy of my precious city.
    tab At that moment, I wished I could stay below the surface of the lake to remain suspended in the water, as if suspended in time. Perhaps if I had, I would not have had to deal with the tragedy my Kuniari City turned into. But I decided to press on, so I resurfaced and swam for the far shore that would lead me to the inner city.