《Heir of the Fog》


 Echoes of the Sunlit Dream

    CHAPTER ONE


    Echoes of the Sunlit Dream


    The sun glows warm and clear, shining high above a gently flowing river. Its surface glistens as if studded with tiny jewels, and the soft light seems to embrace every blade of grass along the bank. A sudden breeze stirs the leaves around me, sending them dancing past my ankles.


    The old trees sway and creak, their branches bending as if whispering secrets to one another. The wind grows stronger, and I hear the heavy groan of trunks bowing under its force.


    I look up and glimpse a flock of birds wheeling gracefully overhead. Their wings catch the sunlight, tracing patterns in the pure blue of the sky.


    For a moment, I stand there, content and grounded. There are people here. I sense their presence close by, though their faces remain concealed by a gentle haze. Their outlines waver as if half-remembered, yet I feel only calm and kinship. It is as if we share a bond older than speech.


    Then the light fades. The sky darkens in an impossible instant, and the air grows thick. My vision shifts as if the world tilts. In place of the sun¡¯s warm glow, something vast and terrible looms above.


    Massive tentacles writhe through the gloom, twisting and curling as they blot out what little light remains. They sway across the heavens like colossal roots of some upside-down tree, reaching in every direction to claim the horizon.


    A thick fog pours into view and swallows the landscape. The laughter of running water and the rustle of leaves vanish. Now there is only a heavy silence and a tremor beneath my feet. The ground rumbles, and I lose my balance. I fall, striking my head, and the pain is sharp and real. Darkness rushes in.


    I open my eyes to the dim world I know. It was just a dream. Yet the lingering echo of that sunlit memory, the silent faces, and the monstrous shapes that devoured the sky, remains vivid and unsettling.


    This is not the first time I¡¯ve had this dream; it happens quite often and is usually the same. I realize this might be considered a nightmare for some, but I can even sense the warmth of the sun reaching my skin in the early morning after awakening, so I am quite glad when I have this dream.


    As I awake, my back hurts, and I remember that I had to sleep on the stairs near the overhang by the door from home. Well, not my home, but the home of others. I don¡¯t know how to call it, but I¡¯ve heard other people calling it home.


    Yesterday, the rain came late at night, and there isn¡¯t much cover in this part of the district. The overhang near the door provided some shelter, just enough for a few steps, but most of my body was still left in the rain. Now, I can see that my only blanket is wet, and I can barely feel my legs.


    The nights can be very cold in the district. There is a kind couple in this building who give me things, so luckily, I have my blanket and a decent coat. There were some holes in it, but the lady who gave it to me fixed them first. I wouldn¡¯t even have noticed if it weren¡¯t for the difference in the fabric making it clear there were once holes. The thickness isn¡¯t the same.


    As I get up, I can already hear the noises from inside, so I hurry to gather my things. Last time, I was kicked out of the way when people tried to leave and found me sleeping on the steps.


    While one of the couples that live here is very nice to me, this isn¡¯t their home alone. I look up at the building and think about how many such families live inside. There isn¡¯t much space left in the district, and since my arrival, the little space that was available has been reduced even further, making the "habitational zone," as some call it, limited to certain buildings.


    I was told there was once a time when people didn¡¯t live cramped inside these residential buildings, with entire families sharing a single room. A time when there was space and less hunger. I can¡¯t imagine or even believe such claims might be true, but I do dream of a roof, a place to sleep safe from the rain, with walls to block out the cold.


    Things were once better in this place, not long ago, and everyone makes sure I know it. After all, most of it changed after I arrived. The couple in the building told me it wasn¡¯t my fault, that I had nothing to do with it, but I still feel guilty.


    I can¡¯t remember exactly what happened the day I arrived, but they told me I¡¯m from District 7, a neighboring district, and that I was found roaming near the edge of the ward of this district, District 98, brought inside by some of the guards.


    Following the direction I came from leads to District 7. The next few days, people were sent outside the ward to investigate. They are called the Chainrunners, people who travel beyond the ward¡¯s protection.


    There, they found what remained of District 7. The ward of District 7 had failed, and everyone had died, killed by the beasts and monsters that linger in the thick fog surrounding the districts.


    In the following days, the Chainrunners were sent to check other neighboring districts. Soon, they discovered that it wasn¡¯t just District 7, several other districts had fallen on the same day. Their wards had failed too.


    I know little about what happened. They questioned me, but my only memory was of arriving, nothing from before.


    I only know I¡¯m from District 7 because they told me it¡¯s the district in the direction I came from. They also said I might have trauma from seeing monsters and that I¡¯m very lucky to be alive. Yet, I¡¯m not seen as a sign of luck by most, more like a bad omen.


    The day I arrived was the day everything changed, after all.


    As I ponder, I notice that while gathering my things to leave the overhang near the door, I left my clay cup behind. As soon as I move to retrieve it, a small boy in a blue coat steps outside, sees the cup, and runs to kick it.


    This clay cup is possibly my most valuable possession. As it tumbles along the ground, I hold onto a flicker of hope that it might survive. For a moment, it bounces, unbroken, and I think it might endure. But as it lands again, it shatters into countless pieces.


    The boy is slightly older than me. I know him well, his name is Pallo. He lives on the first floor of this building and has annoyed me as much as he can ever since he caught me glancing through his window.


    I was just curious. He had received a gift, something called a zoetrope. When he spun the cylinder, the images inside, horses, the mystical creatures, seemed to come alive and move. I wanted only a glimpse, but I became lost in thought, wondering if horses were real and imagining one leaping out of that spinning device.


    At the time, I thought it was an artifact, but I¡¯ve since learned it was just an illusion created by the motion of the spinning wheel. Still, from that moment on, Pallo hated me. He didn¡¯t want anyone else to see his gift, and my curiosity offended him.


    As he catches sight of me now, his smile widens. Then, without a word, he walks away.


    I slowly approach what¡¯s left of my clay cup, picking up the pieces one by one and carefully placing them into my coat pocket. Maybe the kind couple can help me fix it later.


    As I finish, my stomach rumbles. I sigh and head toward the water well, already dreading what promises to be a difficult winter. Last winter, I think I only survived because of that cup.


    I¡¯ve learned a trick to dull the pain of hunger. Drinking water can help, and sometimes, if it¡¯s too much to bear, I mix a little dirt into it. The couple told me this doesn¡¯t actually solve hunger, but I know it tricks the body for a while. If I¡¯m quick, I can usually fall asleep before the hunger returns.


    That¡¯s why my cup was so important. It was always with me, filled with water. Without it, I might have to start sleeping near the water well.


    The closer I get to the well, the more my stomach growls. When I finally fill the bucket, I drink until I feel as though water might burst from my ears. It creates a mild discomfort that temporarily replaces the gnawing hunger.


    As I look around, I see the district coming to life. More and more people are waking up, and I realize I need to hide. The district isn¡¯t very large, and there aren¡¯t many places to get water.


    I wait for a few more minutes and drink again, until I can¡¯t stomach any more. This time, the discomfort rivals the hunger, but I know that without my cup, I won¡¯t have water for the day while I hide.


    Then, I run, weaving between buildings until I reach a small alley, the kind of place only a child can slip through. It¡¯s a perfect hiding spot for the day, close to the water well and out of reach of adults, but it offers no shelter from rain.


    As I settle in, I scoop handfuls of dirt and shove them into my mouth. Eating dirt without water is difficult, but bearable.


    The timing is perfect. The district is fully awake, my hunger is momentarily dulled, and I am in a secure spot to hide for the day.


    I lay out my blanket on the cold ground and wrap myself in it. It isn¡¯t large, but it¡¯s enough to cover my whole body.


    Now comes the hardest part: falling asleep again. If I take too long, the hunger will return, and sleeping will become impossible. But if I stay awake during the day, the hunger will only worsen.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    It¡¯s a challenge, but over time, I¡¯ve learned to focus my mind and push intrusive thoughts aside. This ability lets me fall asleep in almost any situation.


    I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s truly possible to shut down one¡¯s mind, but I¡¯ve noticed a difference in the thoughts that come when I¡¯m close to sleep. They feel like fog, disjointed and irrational, while the thoughts that keep me awake are tied firmly to reality.


    Thanks to this skill, it doesn¡¯t take long for sleep to embrace me. I hope to have that dream again, to feel the touch of the sun on my skin, even if only in my dreams.


    ¡­


    This time, I wasn¡¯t lucky enough to have the dream. As I wake hours later, the light is already piercing through the thick fog surrounding the district. It must be close to midday.


    As I glance around, I¡¯m startled to see someone in my hidden spot, but relief washes over me when I recognize Meris, the daughter of the kind couple who help me survive.


    ¡°Took you long enough to wake up,¡± she says with a grin. ¡°I thought about shaking you, but my mother would¡¯ve scolded me.¡±


    ¡°Others have tried,¡± I reply with a smirk. ¡°Believe me, you can¡¯t wake me once I¡¯m out.¡±


    She laughs softly. Meris is one of the few people in the district who doesn¡¯t look at me with disgust.


    ¡°Is that a challenge?¡± she asks, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Just stating facts,¡± I say, shrugging.


    As we speak, I notice the basket in her hands, and the unmistakable smell of freshly baked bread reaches my nose. My stomach churns, and I try to hide my hunger, but the sound betrays me.


    ¡°Here,¡± Meris says, offering the basket without hesitation. ¡°Mother sent this for you. It was baked this morning.¡±


    Her kindness makes my chest tighten. Her parents, Elina and Jharim, are the reason I¡¯m still alive, even though they struggle as much as everyone else. Despite the hardships since my arrival, they¡¯ve continued to share what little they have.


    Elina, the district¡¯s librarian, has taught me many things. She¡¯s the only librarian here, and she says that our species is indomitable. She believes we¡¯ll find a solution to the hardships we face or even discover an artifact that can help us.


    I sit beside Meris and take the bread from the basket. It¡¯s warm, the heat still radiating from it. I glance at her and hesitate.


    ¡°This was meant for you, wasn¡¯t it?¡± I ask, splitting the bread in half and offering one piece back to her.


    Meris shakes her head, smiling. ¡°Mother sent it for you, really.¡±


    ¡°Take it,¡± I insist. ¡°We can share.¡±


    She looks at me for a moment, then nods and takes the piece. Without waiting, she begins to eat. I, however, take my time, nibbling slowly. Eating too quickly after not eating for so long can make things worse, and I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll have food like this again.


    The bread is a luxury. Its smell and taste overwhelm me, a rare comfort in this harsh place.


    We sit in silence for a while after finishing. Neither of us is full, but bread is a rare commodity, and neither of us expected to have any today.


    In this district, survival is tied to work. Pay is based on the necessity and importance of one¡¯s job. Meris¡¯s mother, Elina, as a librarian, earns little, barely more than an apprentice in other professions. Her father, Jharim, is a blacksmith, though not the most skilled in the district.


    Blacksmithing is usually well-paid, but since my arrival, there¡¯s been less work. Few venture outside the ward anymore, so there¡¯s little need for weapons or tools. Construction is almost nonexistent, as the ancient city of Araksiun preserves itself through its mysterious properties. Food takes a long time to spoil, water sources remain drinkable, and disease doesn¡¯t spread as it might elsewhere.


    Still, without the Chainrunners and their expeditions, the demand for Jharim¡¯s work has dwindled. Every citizen receives a small allowance, but even that was meager before my arrival. Now it¡¯s even less.


    The hardships have made life difficult for Meris and her parents, yet they still help me whenever they can.


    Meris wasn¡¯t planned. She was born without district permission and receives no official support. At the time, it wasn¡¯t as complicated to manage. But when I arrived, things became harder for everyone.


    I feel a pang of guilt as I think about it. Despite Elina telling me it¡¯s not my fault, I can¡¯t help but feel responsible.


    ¡°You¡¯re still hiding during the day?¡± Meris asks, breaking the silence. Her voice is gentle but laced with curiosity.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I answer simply.


    ¡°It¡¯s been four years,¡± she says thoughtfully. ¡°Do people still need someone to blame?¡±


    Her words catch me off guard. Four years. I hadn¡¯t realized it had been that long. That means I must be eight years old now. Only four more years to go.


    When I first arrived, Meris¡¯s parents were the only ones to accept me. I don¡¯t know my exact age, but since I¡¯m the same height as Meris, they registered me as her age. They even offered to let me live with them, but the other residents protested.


    Here, only active members of the community are allowed access to facilities. Even children are expected to contribute as they¡¯re seen as the future of the community.


    Whenever Jharim needs help, I do what I can in his blacksmith shop. I¡¯m not strong enough to lift much or use the hammer effectively, but he¡¯s promised to make me his apprentice one day. As an apprentice, my allowance will be small, but it¡¯ll be enough for a place to sleep and maybe even acceptance from the others.


    I realize I haven¡¯t answered Meris. She¡¯s watching me closely, her head tilted in curiosity.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± I say, startled. ¡°I got lost in thought.¡±


    ¡°You do that a lot,¡± she remarks, smiling faintly. ¡°I always wonder where your mind goes when you drift off like that.¡±


    She pauses, then adds, ¡°Anyway, I know some people still blame you, but you had nothing to do with it. They know that as well as I do. But sometimes I wonder if you know it.¡±


    ¡°Your mother explained it to me,¡± I reply. ¡°I know. But they hate me anyway.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she admits quietly, ¡°but they¡¯ll forget. They always do.¡±


    I hope she¡¯s right.


    ¡­


    As the weeks go by, winter arrives. The already scarce food supply grows even more limited because almost nothing grows in District 98 and during winter food production comes to a halt.


    One morning, I was found lying still in the cold, not moving or waking after a bitterly cold night. Later, Elina had brought me inside the residential facility. Everyone thought I would not wake up.


    They laid my body on a bed, and after some time, I could hear their cries, including Meris¡¯s.


    ¡°Why are they crying?¡± I wondered.


    I heard that some residential facilities have heating systems, though they are not common and this facility is not among those with heating systems. Yet, I noticed a stark difference that day, sleeping inside made me feel warmer, and I awoke again shortly after.


    They were certain I was gone for good, so when I opened my eyes, everyone was startled. I am not sure why they found it strange. I always wake up eventually.


    Elina jumped as though frightened, and both Jharim and Meris looked puzzled.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I heard Jharim whisper. I was still groggy, but I recognized his voice.


    ¡°Yes, I am sure. His heart stopped long ago, and he was not breathing,¡± Elina whispered back. The room was small, so even their hushed voices reached my ears.


    They took a few moments to compose themselves, then came closer to check if I was truly well.


    I like these long sleeps because, once I wake up, my hunger seems to disappear for a few days. It always returns, but I have never understood why these long sleeps, which are so difficult to wake from, make the hunger go away.


    Unfortunately, not everything about this is good. Each time it happens, Jharim and Elina become very concerned. Meris does not fully understand their fear, but this time, they truly believed I would not wake up.


    ¡°I told you, it is just hard to wake me up,¡± I said with a slight smile to Meris. Her worried expression faded a little.


    After examining me carefully, Elina looked into my eyes. ¡°We found you outside the door. Some people pushed you aside, but you would not wake up, so we brought you in.¡±


    I wondered why she felt the need to explain what I had already witnessed. Then I realized it was strange, I remembered them carrying me inside, but I had not been conscious.


    I thought for a while and decided it must have been another dream.


    ¡°Thank you all for caring about me. I am sorry I worried you. I think I should get going now. Soon it will be harder to find a place to hide.¡± I stood up from the bed.


    ¡°Nonsense, you are staying here. It is too cold out,¡± Elina said firmly.


    During these freezing nights, many people enter these long sleeps and never wake again. That is a reality. Sometimes I am not sure which is worse, the cold or the hunger. Occasionally, I feel my mind fading, like last night, when both became unbearable.


    In those moments, I try to focus on something else, as I do when falling asleep quickly. It helps distract me from the pain of cold and hunger. So far, I have only managed to do it for brief moments, but with no other choice, I have to keep trying.


    ¡°You know I cannot stay,¡± I answered. ¡°Thank you, Elina, but I should go.¡±


    Elina looked ready to protest, but Jharim put a hand on her shoulder and told her to let me leave.


    It is not that I do not want to stay inside, protected by walls, or to sleep in a bed with a blanket that is not damp. They have tried to let me stay before, but it is always the same problem.


    Jharim and Elina took a huge risk keeping Meris, a child conceived without the District¡¯s permission. Even small acts of defiance can turn Meris into an outsider, just like me. Most people here hate me, they call me the bad omen. If Jharim and Elina openly sheltered me, it could lead others to report them, and the District council would take action.


    Elina once told me that people blame me for the destruction of neighboring districts, even though I was not responsible. They say my presence brings bad news. Whenever they see me, they remember how things were before I arrived, and that reminder angers them. More than once, I have been beaten until I fell into one of those long sleeps. That is why I hide during the day.


    As long as they do not see me, they will not get angry, so I hurry to find a place to hide. Luckily, thanks to the long sleep, I do not feel hungry or thirsty right away, but the moment I step outside, the cold envelops me.


    Before I can get far, I look back and see Meris running down the stairs of the residential facility. She stops in front of me, hesitating, then speaks.


    ¡°You know, you could stay inside, and we could hide you for the day. We can pretend you are somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°I cannot risk it,¡± I replied. ¡°If other people find out, they will report your family to the council, and you might end up like me, an outsider.¡±


    ¡°It might be worth it,¡± she said softly. ¡°When you did not wake up this time, my parents really thought you were gone. I did too¡­ and I am scared that one day you will not come back.¡±


    I considered it. More than anything, I wanted to stay indoors. But I thought about the trouble it would bring and forced the idea away.


    ¡°You know I always wake up,¡± I told her before running off to my hiding place.


    Just four more years, I reminded myself. At age twelve, I can officially become an apprentice. Jharim said he would take me on if I can wait until then.


    Even if there is not much work, I will at least receive a small allowance from the District. I will have access to the facilities, rations, and more security.


    As more weeks passed, I found myself slipping into many of those long sleeps during the winter. Others around me had similar long sleeps, but sadly, most never woke up again.


    Sometimes I heard the cries of mourning, and the smell of burning bodies lingered in the air on certain days.


    I caught myself wondering if fire could wake someone from a long sleep, and I felt relieved nobody had tried to rouse me that way.

 Wards of Araksiun

    CHAPTER TWO


    Wards of Araksiun


    This winter was harsher than any I remember, with snow falling often and piling up in tall drifts. Elina once told me about animals that live outside in the cold, using snow as a sort of shield. I tried to do the same, but I am not sure I understood how it works. On nights when the snow fell heavily, a thick layer would build up on top of me, and then the long sleeps would come.


    I started to think maybe those stories about animals sleeping beneath the snow were just mystical tales. Days passed without me noticing, and one time, when I returned from one of my hiding spots, Meris said I had been gone for weeks. Elina and Jharim were relieved to see me. They questioned me a lot that day, asking where I had been. Where else would I go? Anyone who leaves the District never comes back, but they still made me describe all my hiding places.


    Luckily, winter did not last forever. As it ended, I was pleased to learn that Elina would begin another class, this time an advanced one. As the only librarian, she also has the job of teaching a few select people, either those the District considers promising or families with the money to pay for education. Elina does not receive the full payment for her teaching. She gets a small portion, while the rest goes to the District library itself.


    One of the neighboring districts we still trade with manufactures paper, so Elina copies books to sell and ¡°keep humanity¡¯s history alive,¡± as she likes to say. During a beginner class, she taught me to read and write. My handwriting is crude, since I have not had many chances to practice, though I tried using a stick on dirt whenever I could.


    An advanced class only happens when the District decides enough people need it, because it requires supplies like ink, paper, and the use of the teaching facility. It also requires Elina¡¯s time as librarian. This means I might have to share a room with more than just a few people who hate me, including some who will become influential in District 98.


    As I thought about it, I realized I did not really care, as long as nobody beats me into another long sleep. Meris, on the other hand, is very worried about meeting these people. Elina shares her concern, mostly because of me. She believes that if I make a good impression on them, it will be easier for them to accept me when I become a blacksmith¡¯s apprentice and officially join District 98.


    Because of this, Elina and Jharim spent their saved money on new clothes for both Meris and me. Now they want me to try them on.


    ¡°I do want people to accept me,¡± I said, picking up a shirt that looked thin and flimsy, ¡°but I do not see the point of this. The cloth is not warm, and the sleeves are so short.¡±


    ¡°The classes will be in the library, which is heated,¡± Elina explained, showing me another shirt of the same kind. ¡°It would look odd if you wore heavy clothes inside.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it is no use outside, and it seems like it would tear easily.¡± I was still confused.


    ¡°You are not supposed to wear it outside,¡± she said. ¡°Only during classes. I do not want you to ruin these nice clothes.¡± She held up another piece of clothing that was already patched in places.


    ¡°What is the point if I cannot wear them anywhere else? Should I save them for when I become an apprentice?¡±


    ¡°No, by then you will have outgrown them.¡±


    ¡°Again, what is the point? They are only for wearing in the library and nothing else?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You will keep them here with Jharim¡¯s clothes, so you can change before class. Do not worry, I let our neighbors know, and they agreed to let you come inside and change.¡±


    It seemed odd to me to spend money on clothes just to make a good impression, especially money that could buy food or warmer clothing. Still, it was Elina and Jharim¡¯s choice to spend their savings, not only on Meris but also on me.


    They are going out of their way to buy me real clothes that actually fit, clothes without holes or stains from people who never woke from their long sleeps.


    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± Meris asked suddenly, startling me.


    ¡°What?¡± I replied, confused.


    ¡°You were off in your own little world,¡± Meris said as she poked me in the arm. ¡°I was calling your name, but you did not even notice.¡±


    ¡°Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about all this.¡±


    ¡°Do you not like the clothes?¡± Meris asked while she studied the fabric.


    ¡°No, no, they are fine. I just think it is a bit of a waste if it is only for show.¡±


    Elina walked up and looked me in the eyes. ¡°Listen, I know it seems like we are wasting money, but you are young. You have to trust me on this. In a few years, when you become an apprentice, it will be helpful if people already see you as part of District 98.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know,¡± I said. ¡°I guess I am just thinking short term. You always tell me to think about the future, but I am used to living day by day.¡±


    It really did make sense from a long-term view. Elina mentioned that three of the children in the upcoming class are from families that own powerful artifacts, two from the District guard, and another from a Chainrunner.


    ¡°I understand why I need to make a good impression,¡± I said, ¡°but why does Meris need all those dresses?¡±


    No sooner did I say that than Meris¡¯s face turned bright red. She looked angry and stormed out of the room.


    Elina just laughed. ¡°Let us just say you both have different reasons to dress nicely. Survival is important, but living is important too.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Those words confused me, but Elina often says things that take me a while to understand. I suppose this will be another mystery to figure out when I have time to think about it.


    ¡°Also, before I forget, take this,¡± Elina said, handing me a book with empty pages and a pencil. ¡°Do not worry, these materials were provided by the District. You will use them for your tasks and to take notes during the advanced class.¡±


    Fabricating paper is quite expensive, and the book is not small. It would take a long time to fill it entirely, so this might be more expensive than the clothes themselves.


    ¡°Thank you, Elina, but I want to know, how did you manage to make the district accept me in this advanced class? Please tell me you did not pay from your own money for this as well.¡± I spoke, finally noticing how strange it is to be among those selected. I am not exactly what people would consider a promising kid.


    ¡°Ha, do not worry about that,¡± she replied. ¡°Believe it or not, your name was suggested by the Captain of the Chainrunners. That is indeed odd. Maybe people are already accepting you, and you have not even realized it.¡±


    ¡°What? But why? She does not even know me.¡±


    ¡°Of course she does. Everybody does, even in the neighboring districts. How many people do you think have survived a failed ward and walked all the way through the thick fog to another district? Believe it or not, in our records, there is only one person.¡±


    As Elina spoke those words, I realized again that people had heard about me. I am not sure if there is anything good in that. I hope they will just forget it and stop seeing me as some kind of bad omen.


    ¡°Also, this is your next task,¡± Elina continued. ¡°You should make a report on the history of the districts. I am asking every student for one so I can define the starting point of the class.¡±


    Elina is very kind, but when talking about history, she can be quite fearsome. She believes everybody should fully know the history of humanity so it does not get lost over time.


    She says we once had a great deal of knowledge, and it was that knowledge which led humanity to greatness. But over time, when the fog filled with dangers appeared, we shifted our focus solely to survival, and through time, most of our history and knowledge were lost.


    She often says that thinking long term is important, and it was by thinking only of survival that humanity reached its current state. Yet most people do not care about history or learning from past mistakes.


    I took the task eagerly because I know Elina understands more about the world than most, and I am very curious about the things she says. After leaving, I dedicated the rest of the day to writing the so-called report on the history of the districts.


    The districts are all, in fact, part of the city of Araksiun. Once, this city was filled with dozens of millions of humans, living together in a unified metropolis that created wonders using both science and magic.


    However, one day the fog came. Nobody really knows why or what the fog is. That piece of knowledge is long lost.


    Somehow, the ancient people of Araksiun predicted the arrival of the fog and prepared the city for it. They partitioned the city into a few hundred districts, each one with an Obelisk at its center, just like the one we have here in District 98.


    The Obelisks maintain a ward that shields the districts from the fog and from the creatures that roam within the fog, thus protecting the city. There are some debates about whether the Obelisks were only a failsafe, with some saying there was once a great ward enveloping the entire city before it was destroyed.


    Others say the great ward was merely weakened, allowing some of the fog to enter but not entirely. Meanwhile, another group believes there is simply nothing beyond Araksiun and that Araksiun always has been the entire world. All these viewpoints exist, but Elina hates the last one.


    She says people are foolish to think the world is only this city just because they have not seen anything beyond it. She also says that not many generations ago, there was a district located not too far from the city walls.


    Chainrunners from that district reported seeing the wall, and it is recorded here. I understand her frustration. Still, nobody has seen anything beyond the city for thousands of years, so I cannot blame them too much.


    The city is supposed to extend for hundreds of kilometers. Even if there once was a ward covering the entire city, the Obelisks themselves were also supposedly able to expand to cover it fully.


    However, as time went by, many districts fell on their own or due to monsters in the fog. We understand little, but certain creatures can defy the ward¡¯s protection and weaken it or sometimes even destroy it entirely.


    This is what happened to the destroyed districts on the day of my arrival. The theory is that some creature was capable not only of weakening the ward defenses, but also of destroying them entirely, allowing the creatures from the fog to rush in.


    The scary thing is that it all happened in a single night.


    The District announced that the most reasonable explanation is that the ward was already weakened enough to make such an attack possible. Cases like this have happened before, but so many districts at once, in close proximity, is hard to believe.


    That is the main problem with the wards. Whoever planned this failsafe against the fog might not have intended for it to last forever. After thousands of years, the wards can no longer protect the districts effectively.


    It is believed the district wards need some form of fuel, maybe something provided by the ancient city of Araksiun or something that must be manufactured. Regardless, the Obelisks are running out of it.


    This began more than two thousand years ago, the weakening of the districts¡¯ wards, at least those that remain. The knowledge about the Obelisks was lost long before the wards began to fail, and to this day, people still try to understand. However, the technology is far too advanced.


    Elina had the opportunity to study the Obelisk in detail and record her findings in the registry for further research. As someone who also had access to study the artifacts from District 98, she says it goes far beyond anything else found in Araksiun so far.


    However, there are manual controls that can be used even by people who do not understand the Obelisk. When the wards started failing, they discovered it is possible to reduce the power the ward uses.


    This reduction lowers the ward¡¯s area of influence but lets it remain active longer. For that reason, over time, the District¡¯s area was reduced to the territory we currently have. Many facilities were abandoned as the ward¡¯s coverage shrank.


    The neighboring districts, which were once connected, are now separated by gaps of a few kilometers at least. That is why the Chainrunners were created. Originally, they were meant to be a unified logistics unit to distribute whatever was made or grown in each district.


    But over time, each one became independent, and now it is more like a trading network between districts, with brave people traveling many kilometers outside the wards, running and fighting any beast that crosses their path.


    Elina told me the Chainrunners were once the bravest among us, explorers of the unknown. But as everything decays over time, so did the Chainrunners.


    Because they face such a high death rate, it became more like a punishment. Those who steal or commit crimes are often condemned to become Chainrunners.


    That makes me wonder if the Captain of the Chainrunners of District 98, who asked for me in the advanced class, plans for me to join them. As I ponder it, my heart races. Then I realize the Captain holds a lot of power here. She is not a convict, and she has a powerful artifact. If she wanted to condemn me to be a Chainrunner, she could do it easily with just a few words.


    I guess I will have to ask her son, since he is also going to participate in this advanced class.


    Leaving those thoughts aside, I come to the worst part of my report on the history of the districts: the day of my arrival.


    Well, I guess I will leave that part blank¡­