Flames danced along his vision. It felt endless, the constant struggle leaking into his psyche. His vision focused, eyes settled on the fireplace ahead, flames stoked upon the Juli logs. Each one cost a grey mark, though the price only seemed to climb.

  Antioch grabbed a small pail nearby, peering inside. Water sloshed, threatening to topple over and stain the freshly lacquered wood. I… I don’t care right now, Helveti save me. The fire quenched in an instant, white smoke filling the room. The smell hit Antioch like a Trelo; quick and putrid.

  His steps echoed the empty home, each pushing him closer to his limit. Candles lined his view; shadows cast along his vision. Monsters and beasts danced along the wall. Antioch’s room could not get here fast enough.

  He plodded upstairs, passing a small picture. Two people stood against each other, a woman’s hand upon the others chest. Her smile radiated a warmth he had been seeking for years. One that vexed him.

  At the hall’s end, Antioch pushed into his room. The room hung in disarray. Shirts adorned his dresser, pants scattered along the floor. It was a mess. I’ll find time, we’ll see when that will be.

  Through his boarded window, stray light danced along the walls. His eyes drifted to the scene outside. Seems it’s gotten worse. I will be busy tomorrow. I hope we stocked up. Flames painted the midnight sky a crimson stain.

  Antioch laid back, head turned away from the madness. A howl pierced the quiet. His hair stood on end; he dared not move. That was close. It’s never been this close.

  It sounded too close this time, Antioch thought, though he never spotted one of these fiends with his own eyes, and he dared not to. He mentally checked his house, remembering if he had clasped the door and quashed any candle around his home. He could not think of anything, assured that tonight could be one without turmoil.

  I locked up, right? The windows had been boarded, door barricaded, candles covered? Antioch sat upright, peering down the open hallway. He could see soft light climbing the stairs, a path leading to him. One alight by his forgetfulness.

  Antioch slinked his way down the way, making sure to not make a sound. Each step placed more pressure upon him, upon his mind, his sanity. Taking a stone circle, he carefully enclosed each candle, light beneath ceasing.

  On his return upstairs, Antioch swore he heard a slight scratch. It did not have a direction. There was no origin. It existed.

  He wound his way downstairs, eyes searching for the source of this noise. He needed to know, or else sleep would continue to evade him. It had not come for days now.

  It came again, this time closer than before. He felt it this time, crawling up his back. Reaching back, his hand felt warm. He pulled back, the smell of iron overwhelming him. Blood dripped down, his hand covered in the substance.

  His body shivered involuntarily. Each breath hung ragged, eyes unfocused. Antioch turned, finding himself facing the beast.

  Its maw sat distended, tendons and muscle exposed to the night’s air. It sat looming over him, head scraping the ceiling. Blood and flesh dripped from its mouth, a visceral smell permeating the room. The beast’s chest was caved in, ribs poking out in varying directions.

  Through the windows, moonlight reflected on its long claws, blood covering them. It was already too late. Antioch did not have enough time to react. The beast struck out, slicing through his stomach.

  All he could feel was pain. There was nothing but pain. He stumbled backwards, hand grasping the wound. He felt something bulging through, slimy and heavy. He pushed it back inside, looking up at the beast. It stood watching, its slithering tongue licking at its claws.

  The darkness in its eyes pierced Antioch’s. There was no feeling of satisfaction, nothing. He lost his footing, falling back against his table, wood digging into his lower back. His eyes hung heavy. I need to… need to get out of here, but I am so tired.

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  Antioch could not keep his eyes open anymore. His body fell still, breath stilling. He would not survive the night.

  ________

  His eyes shot open. Antioch could hear distant shouts. Reaching down frantically, his hands did not feel blood, only soft linen. He peered down, finding no cut, only the smooth lines running the length of his shirt. His breathing kept accelerating. What, wait, how am I here, I swear I was gone.

  Antioch pushed himself off the floor, hands digging into wooden grooves. As he stood, he scanned the room. Pans lined the wall, hanging on metal hooks. Chairs sat along the tables edge untouched. Nothing seemed to have changed since last night.

  Running his hand along the tables edge, his hand brushed along a small scratch. It had not been there before, it was unblemished. Splinters split up along the marks, emphasizing its appearance. A little Juli oil would bring it back to its former glory.

  Antioch wandered outside. The street was a bustle of activity. People sat repairing their homes, burned wood piled together in a single heap. Smoke still hung low, the fires hadn’t been quenched long ago.

  Peering over his shoulder, he took a good look at his humble abode. The windows were boarded with logs on the inside. Stakes were lodged below the windows, warding off any potential monster that came near. Everything seemed as he left it.

  Turning back, he had to make his way to work, his team needed him. I don’t know how much I’ll help in this state, but I’ll do my best. They look up to me, every one of them.

  Antioch, disheveled as he was, crossed the road, weaving between people and caravan alike. No glances were thrown his way, everyone else minded their business. There was no time to judge others.

  With each step, his stomach felt increasingly distended. Luckily, he knew just who to see.

  Entering the market, a familiar voice called out. “My friend, oh my, what is the problem? I don’t usually see you like this.”

  “Oh… it seems I had an intense dream last night. Though, I’m okay, I think?” Antioch pointed to a small crate behind the stand. “You have my usual, Sadanha?”

  Sadanha smiled, bringing it out. Fruits and small cakes sat inside. “The Kurdta berries and pastries, all for my favorite customer.”

  Antioch took them up, picking around. He gestured to the crate. “It seems that you gave me an extra pastry.” He took out a grey mark. “Here, take this.”

  “Oh no, my friend. Tis but a gift of gratitude. You’ve given me much business for the past few years, personal and,” gesturing to the berries, “professional. It’s no big deal.”

  The heavy-set man waved as Antioch departed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, my friend. Make sure to try the muffin, I added something special, hopefully you like it!”

  With food in his mouth, Antioch waved, turning north. He was almost to work. I can do this, it was all just a dream, right.

  In sight of the building, Antioch looked at the sign in front: Jafana Medicinals. Below the lettering sat one name: Antioch, Alchemist.

  ________

  Antioch made his way through the doors, entering the larger building lined with glass jars, vases, and other containers, filled with many ingredients. He sat the crate down on a side table, a woman approaching quickly.

  “Antioch, you were supposed to be here hours ago. We have had to turn back twenty people already! What happened?” She grabbed a pastry, stuffing it in her mouth. “You… need to… get those berries… put away.”

  Antioch nodded, patting her on the shoulder. “Ghale, you need to calm yourself. I know this past week has been hard on us all, but with every ounce of strength wasted on panicking, we’ll run dry too early and then those here will suffer. We’ve got this covered!”

  Her shoulders relaxed, a smile forming on her face. “You always know what to say. Sometimes too well… anyways, you think you can get started on the Kurdta cream? It seems to be flying off the shelves lately.”

  “Of course, of course. Anything else I should compound right away?”

  “Uhm… I don’t believe so, everything else is pretty well stocked.” Ghale’s eyes scanned the walls, glass jars full of roots, berries, and other items. “Now, I’ll work on cleaning this place up. You leave it worse for wear every evening you work.”

  Antioch was shocked to hear that. “Ghale, I am only THE most impeccable alchemist this side of Jafana.” He smiled, walking away. “I could never do such a thing.”

  In the back, Antioch stashed a pastry, one with a yellow fruit filling. It had been the one Sadanha talked about. I wonder what he did to this one. I’d better leave this for later, there’s no knowing what it’ll do to my stomach.

  Turning around, a coat sat on a hook. He retrieved it, slipping his arms through sleeves, pulling it on. Breathing in and out, Antioch made his way back out, diving into action.

  Hours later, sweat hung on his brow and his lungs ached. But in front of him stood 100 jars of a vibrant purple cream. Hopefully this will be enough, we went through 150 the past two days.

  Antioch went to grab his pastry when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Ghale motioned him to the back. “I’ve seen you compound today, and you haven’t been there fully. We all haven’t but you have been even more so.” She frowned, gripping his coat. “How about you get us some more Kurdta berries, Antioch.”

  He took off his coat, handing it back up. “I understand, I do. At least I get to see Sadanha again, and hopefully thank him for this pastry, if I ever get to finish it.”

  “Yeah, good job on looking for upside, Antioch. I’ll see you back later.”

  Antioch took that note to leave, pushing outside. The sun blinded him momentarily. Hand raised, he pushed forward to the market. He took the pastry, biting into it. The sweet cream reminded him of his mother. She made the best welo berry pie he had ever tasted. This couldn’t compare, but it still brought him back. I have to thank him for that, a great surprise.

  Arriving in the market, he made his way to Sadanha. Antioch walked up, hoping to find him, but finding the stall empty. He popped his head around the corner, expecting his friend. A pair of red eyes peered from the darkness, liquid splatting on the ground. The smell of blood assaulted him.

  Antioch backed away, his back flat against the nearby building. “My friend, what are you doing?” A voice came from the empty stall. It sounded like Sadanha. The beast was in there. He had to help him.

  He rushed in, heart racing expecting to find his friend gone but found nothing. Sadanha was sitting back, hands behind his head watching the passing crowd, spotting him come back up.

  “Sadanha, where’ve your things gone? It was only a few hours ago and you were full. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this empty.”

  Sadanha got up, motioning Antioch closer. His footsteps scraped against the stone floor, scraping up dust. “It seems you aren’t the only one stocking up.” Sadanha sat back down. “I’m sorry, they came all at once. They took my berries, my wares, everything. I’ve just been sat here for the past hour. I don’t know what I’ll do, friend.” Sadanha cradled his head in his hands.

  Antioch sat down next to him. “I… I don’t really know what we’ll do. But, I know we’ll do our best, right?” It’s too bad he’s out of berries, but being robbed… I don’t think I’d recover.