Echoes in the Ashes

Echoes in the Ashes

last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-22
By:  The Eagle GirlCompleted
Language: English
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The once-glorious empire is in ruins, its capital buried beneath ash, following a bloody uprising. A competent scavenger who has been hardened by grief, Zara endures in the broken world, plagued by memories of the empire's devastation, particularly the ruthless purge that claimed her family's lives. She discovers a secret amid the rubble: a wounded man named Kael who says he is the final heir to the crumbling empire. Zara reluctantly consents to assist him, viewing his survival as a way to make amends. But Kael isn't interested in bringing back the empire he was born into. Rather, he is dangerously knowledgeable about a weapon that could upset the delicate balance of power in the world. An unforeseen attachment forms between Zara and Kael, complicating their objective as they create an uneasy alliance to traverse the lethal world of bounty hunters, imperial loyalists, and rebels. Zara is compelled to face her own troubled past—including the potential that her long-lost brother is still alive and fighting for one of the factions—as they delve deeper into the empire's hidden secrets. After the rebels kidnap Kael and torture him to find the weapon, Zara must decide whether to risk everything to save him or let him perish. Zara and Kael are pushed to the limit by their increasing love and the burden of their common past as they work against the clock to destroy the weapon and keep it out of the wrong hands. Will the fires of their decisions consume them or will they find salvation in a world of ashes?

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Malam semakin larut, hujan turun dengan derasnya.

Kilat masuk melalui celah jendela seakan siap menyambar.

Di dalam kegelapan, seorang wanita muda sedang menangis sambil memeluk tubuh kecil bayinya.

Meskipun suara petir menggelegar dan memekakkan genderang telinga, Eliza Afrina tidak takut.

Yang dia pikirkan saat ini hanyalah anaknya yang sedang panas tinggi. 

Obat penurun panas yang diberikan bidan, sudah dia berikan. Tapi, tak kunjung meredakan panas sang putra.

"Nak?"

Eliza menahan tangis sembari memeluk bayinya yang sudah pucat itu. Bahkan tiap beberapa menit sekali, wanita itu meletakkan jari telunjuknya di bawah lubang hidung bayi laki-laki itu untuk memastikan sang putra masih bernapas.

Berkali-kali ditelponnya sang suami, tetapi tak diangkat.

Tetangganya juga banyak yang sedang pergi ke luar untuk menghabiskan weekend bersama keluarga.

Kebetulan, kawasan perumahan yang di tempatnya, jauh masuk ke dalam dan masih sangat sepi. Jalan kiri dan kanannya bahkan masih hutan lebat.

Parahnya lagi, ponsel Androidnya baru ditukar sang suami dengan ponsel jadul tahun 2000-an, sehingga Eliza tak bisa memesan taksi online.

Setelah berpikir beberapa saat, Eliza lantas pergi ke dapur dan mengambil plastik bekas yang disimpannya. Bersyukur dia menyimpan plastik berukuran besar. Dipotongnya bagian depan seukuran wajah bayi dan kemudian memasukkan bayi ke dalam plastik.

Dibuatnya jas hujan darurat untuk putranya.

"Tahan ya nak, kita ke rumah sakit sekarang. Anak bunda akan sehat." Eliza kembali berkata dengan bibir gemetar.

Tak dipedulikan tubuhnya yang basah kuyup, menggigil kedinginan.

Secepat mungkin dia berlari.

Namun belum melihat ada klinik atau rumah sakit, langkah kakinya terhenti ketika merasakan tapak kakinya terasa sangat sakit seperti ada yang menancap.

Bersyukur Ibnu tidak terlepas dari tangannya.

Diperhatikannya paku berukuran panjang yang menancap di telapak kakinya.

Kembali menahan sakit yang luar biasa, dicabutnya paku itu.

Tiba-tiba saja, cahaya kilat terlihat.

Eliza dapat melihat wajah putranya yang sudah membiru. 

Dipaksanya lagi tubuhnya berlari, hingga Eliza akhirnya melihat rumah sakit.

"TOLONG!" teriaknya sekencang mungkin begitu tiba di resepsionis.

 Seorang perawat yang melihatnya, lantas menghampiri. "Ada apa ibu?"

"Sus, tolong selamatkan anak saya. Badannya sangat panas. Tadi dia sempat kejang." Eliza berkata dengan menangis.

Perawat itu langsung mengambil bayi dari tangan ibunya dan membawa ke ruang UGD.

Dia juga berusaha menghubungi dokter.

Kejadian ini menarik perhatian beberapa pasien. Mereka bahkan menatap iba Eliza dan bayinya yang dibungkus dengan kantong plastik besar dan hanya melubangi bagian wajahnya saja.

"Sus, bagaimana keadaan bayi saya?"

Eliza menangis tiada henti. Bahkan wanita itu tidak merasakan kakinya yang terasa amat sakit.

"Sebentar ya Bu, dokter akan segera datang," kata perawat itu sambil memandang tubuh Eliza yang sudah basah kuyup dengan bibir yang membiru.

Tak lama, seorang dokter laki-laki akhirnya masuk dan memeriksa kondisi bayi yang sudah tidak sadarkan diri.

Dia terkejut kala merasakan telapak kaki dan tangan anak Eliza itu yang sudah terasa dingin.

"Pasang infus dan pasang oksigen," perintahnya cepat. 

Cairan obat melalui selang infus terpasang.

Anehnya, raut wajah sang dokter tampak tak puas.

"Hubungi dokter Risky," titah dokter muda tersebut pada sang perawat yang menahan ekspresinya.

Keduanya tahu kondisi bayi sudah sangat kritis. Mereka harus menyerahkan bayi tersebut ke dokter spesialis anak.

"Dok, anak, saya baik-baik saja, kan?" Seolah merasakan keanehan, Eliza bertanya.

Namun, dokter itu menjawab dengan wajah tenang, "Kita tunggu dokter anaknya datang." 

Hanya saja, dokter itu terkejut ketika menyadari kondisi ibu pasien yang baru ditangani.

"Ke sini naik apa, Bu?"

"Saya jalan kaki dok," jawab Eliza.

Dahi dokter itu berkerut saat mendengar jawaban ibu muda tersebut. "Di mana lokasi rumah Anda?"

Seketika, Eliza menjelaskan tempat tinggalnya kepada dokter muda yang sedang fokus memeriksa kondisi bayinya. Dokter itu hanya tercengang mendengar keterangan dari ibu pasien.

"Jika kondisi anak Anda seperti ini, mengapa tidak pesan taksi secara online?" 

Pertanyaan itu jelas membuat Eliza menangis. "Saya tidak bisa menghubungi taksi secara online."

"Apa Anda kehabisan paket internet?" Dokter itu kembali bertanya. Selain rasa penasaran, hal ini juga untuk menenangkan si ibu yang tampak sangat panik. Setidaknya mengobrol seperti ini, si ibu bisa sedikit tenang.

Alih-alih menjawab, Eliza mengeluarkan sesuatu dari dalam saku rok yang di pakainya.

Dokter itu memperhatikan apa yang sedang di pegang wanita tersebut. Keningnya berkerut saat melihat wanita itu mengeluarkan dompet dan ponsel dari dalam kantong plastik.

"Saya tidak punya aplikasinya dok, karena handphone ini tidak bisa mendownload."

Ponsel jadul itu membuat sang dokter terkejut. Saat zaman yang sudah semakin canggih namun wanita itu terlihat begitu menyedihkan dan udik hingga tidak memiliki handphone Android. Padahal manfaat handphone itu sangatlah banyak dan penting. Namun, semua itu ditahannya.

"Ayah bayinya mana?"

Kini, seorang perawat yang penasaran ikut bertanya.

"Saya tidak tahu," jawab Eliza kembali. Ya, sudah 4 hari suaminya tidak pulang. Bahkan, pria itu tidak pernah membalas pesan yang dikirim Eliza, termasuk permohonannya tadi.

Dokter muda itu hanya diam memandang Eliza.

Namun, tatapan matanya berpindah ke arah kaki wanita tersebut. Seketika dia membelalak. Segera dia memerintahkan sang perawat untuk memeriksa.

Sayangnya, Eliza menolak. "Saya tidak apa-apa dok, tolong selamatkan anak saya." 

"Anak ibu dalam penanganan, sebaiknya ibu duduk agar kondisi kaki ibu dilihat dan diobati," jelas dokter tersebut.

"Kaki saya tidak apa-apa Dok, saya hanya terinjak paku."

Lagi, Eliza menolak. Sebenarnya, dia takut uang yang dimilikinya tidak cukup untuk biaya berobat putranya karena harus membayar uang pengobatan kakinya.


"Saya akan periksa Bu," ucap perawat tersebut yang memaksa Eliza untuk duduk di atas tempat tidur yang berada di samping bayi Eliza.

Eliza akhirnya hanya diam dan menurut. Dia duduk di atas tempat tidur dan membiarkan perawat memeriksa kakinya yang terasa sakit dan berdenyut nyeri.

"Dok ini pakunya masih ada yang menempel di kaki dan gak bisa dicabut." 

Dokter itu lantas mendekati Eliza dan melihat paku yang menancap di kaki wanita tersebut.

Melihat ini saja, dokter itu sudah merinding. Dia tahu seperti apa rasa sakit yang dialami oleh wanita tersebut. Bahkan kakinya sudah membiru. Dengan kondisi kaki yang seperti ini ibu muda itu tetap bisa sampai ke rumah sakit membawa anaknya, sungguh sangat menyedihkan.

Setelah melakukan tindakan terhadap bayi, dokter itu kemudian berpindah kepada ibu muda yang berwajib pucat dengan bibir biru, serta tubuh menggigil kedinginan. Dokter itu merasa prihatin ketika melihat kondisi bayi berserta ibunya.

Disuntik biusnya kaki Eliza. Setelah memastikan bius itu bekerja, dokter muda itu mencabut paku dengan memakai alat semacam tang.

"Pakunya panjang sekali, ini juga paku berkarat."

Dokter itu menunjukkan paku yang dilumuri cairan berwarna merah tersebut.

Setelah paku dicabut, barulah darah mengalir dari kaki yang berlubang.

Namun, Eliza hanya diam memandang paku di tangan dokter itu. Kepalanya dipenuhi sang putra.

Di saat yang sama, seorang dokter tampak masuk ke dalam ruang UGD. "Apa ini bayinya?"

"Iya dok," jawab perawat.

Dokter itu segera melihat catatan pasien dan kemudian memeriksa detak jantung bayi.

Terdengar helaan nafas pelan dari bibir dokter tersebut. "Langsung masukkan ke ruang NICU." 

Deg!

Mendengar perkataan dokter itu, membuat jantung Eliza berdetak semakin cepat. "Bagaimana kondisi bayi saya dok?" tanyanya dengan bibir yang bergetar.

"Sebaiknya ibu banyak berdoa," ucap si dokter yang kemudian pergi meninggalkan ruangan.

Eliza yang baru diobati, seketika berjalan dengan dengan cepat mengikuti dokter yang menangani bayinya. Wanita itu menghentikan langkah kakinya.

Namun, seorang perawat menghentikannya di depan ruang NICU. "Mohon tunggu di sini dulu Bu." 

"Tapi anak saya?" Eliza menangis sambil menutup mulutnya.

"Ibu harap tunggu di sini, agar dokter bisa menangani dengan baik."

Setelah mengatakan itu, sang perawat kemudian masuk ke dalam ruangan.

Eliza hanya diam dan memandang pintu yang tertutup dengan rapat. Dia ingin mengintip kedalam namun sayangnya tidak ada celah untuk mengintip.

Cukup lama Eliza menunggu dokter keluar dari dalam ruangan NICU. Dia sudah tidak sabar untuk mengetahui kondisi bayinya. Ada rasa lega ketika melihat dokter keluar dari dalam ruangan. Dia berharap dokter memberikan kabar baik untuknya.

Hanya saja, harapannya tak terkabul.

Begitu sang dokter keluar, dia mengumumkan kabar yang membuat Eliza terpukul.

"Kondisi bayi ibu kritis. Dan bayi sudah tidak sadarkan diri sejak 2 jam yang lalu," jelasnya.

Bugh!


Seketika Eliza limbung dan terjatuh ke belakang. Bersyukur dokter Rizki dengan sigap menangkap tubuh kurus si wanita.

"Dokter, tolong selamatkan anak saya dok. Saya tidak ingin jika sampai anak saya meninggal." Eliza menangis dan meremas tangan dokter laki-laki tersebut.

Kondisi Eliza yang seperti ini membuat dokter Rizki tidak tega untuk memberitahukan kondisi bayi malang tersebut.

"Kami akan mengusahakan yang terbaik. Di mana ayahnya? Saya ingin berbicara dengan beliau," ucap pria di depan Eliza itu kembali.

"Dia tak bisa dihubungi, Dok."

Dokter Rizki mengerutkan kening. Dia hendak bertanya, tetapi seorang perawat tiba-tiba keluar NICU dengan panik.

"Dokter kondisi pasien semakin kritis!"

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124 Chapters
Chapter 1
The Empire's AshesThe wind, a continual reminder of the fall of the empire, murmured through the ruins. With her leather-clad fingers digging amid the ruins of a once-immensity palace, Zara knelt down. In the early morning light, the tall, hollow and cracked marble columns loomed above her, creating long, skeletal shadows. The smell of smoke, of something long burned and forgotten, filled the air. Even though she had been scrounging here for days, the scene remained the same: rusted weaponry, shattered statues, and the remains of a grandeur that had long since lost its significance.The silence and emptiness that occupied the spaces where life had flourished should have become second nature to her by now. However, every day seemed brand-new, and every rubble pile presented a fresh challenge. Zara detested it. despised the memories they evoked, hated the ruins. The reason she was here, however, was to ensure her survival
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-15
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Chapter 2
Under the DustWith each step Zara made, the weight of Kael's body appeared to increase. She had no idea how long he could stay. His once-proud stance sagged like a defeated man, his skin was pale, and his breath was ragged. Zara was unable to distinguish between the flames and the gleam of hope or desperation that yet lingered in his eyes. But he was dangerous because of it. Zara was aware that anyone who still had a cause to defend should not be trusted.They made their way through the wreckage, sliding past burned remains of once-grand buildings and crumbling walls. Leading the route was Zara, who kept her eyes on the horizon for any movement. With the exception of the occasional scavenger and the silent presence of the Empire's followers, who continued to stalk the ash-covered streets, this area of the city was essentially deserted. However, Zara hadn't seen anyone along this area in a long time. The quiet was b
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-15
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Chapter 3
The Undiscovered WayOnly the odd creak of wood or the rustle of wind against the deteriorating structures could break the stillness of the destroyed marketplace. Zara couldn't get rid of the sense of urgency that was eating away at her, even if the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of the past. They had no time to relax. Not at all.In actuality, she was unsure of her next course of action. She had intended to go to the Imperial archives, where the weapon was supposedly kept, but the ruins were much more perilous than this location. There seemed to be darkness around every step taken in that direction. However, they were propelled ahead by the allure of something hidden beneath the ashes—the promise of power.From his place on the floor, Kael murmured in a raspy voice as he stirred behind her. "We must get out of here before it becomes dark. The risk increases with the length of time we are here.Zara looked at hi
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-15
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Chapter 4
Memory's DepthsAs they sank more into the forgotten depths under the destroyed Empire, the darkness engulfed them. The sound grew louder in the little hallway as Zara's every foot reverberated against the chilly stone walls. The still air pressed down on her chest, making her breathe in quick, shallow gasps. The dim glow from the phosphorescent stone walls was the tunnel's only source of light, creating strange shadows that moved and flickered with every shift.With each step, the weight of his injury became more noticeable as Kael walked beside her at a slower pace. Zara sensed him at her side, his steady, if forced, breathing a continual reminder of their mutual danger. At first, she had believed he was unbeatable—someone who could guide her to safety, someone who could withstand the last of the Empire. However, the truth of their predicament was beginning to set in as they delved farther into the shadowy centr
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-15
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Chapter 5
The Coming of AgeZara felt a shock of fear run through her chest as the ground shook beneath her feet. She hardly had time to respond when the blazing crystal in Kael's hands blazed brighter, almost blinding her, and a deep, deafening rumble echoed through the vault's walls. Zara lifted her arm to protect her eyes from the quick flash of brightness, which was too much to handle."What's going on?" She yelled, but the loud noise drowned out her words. She could sense the floor beneath her trembling, as if the earth itself were objecting to their presence.The light appeared to pulse more quickly than ever before, and Kael's face was twisted in concentration as his hold on the crystal tightened. "I'm not sure, but we must relocate!"He dragged her to the closest wall, where she could hide in the shade of a big stone pillar. The walls of the vault creaked and cracked, as though the old building were struggling to s
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-16
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Chapter 6
The Coming of AgeThe buzz of old power filled the air, resonating through Zara's bones. She felt feelings of horror crawl up her spine as the crystal in her hand pulsed with ferocity. Something had reacted when she touched it.She hesitated for a second, her fingers still pressing the cool, smooth surface. The room seemed to be alive, as if it were breathing and awaiting the next action from someone or something.The entire enormous space was filled with the expanding light from the crystal. It created unsettling shadows on the walls, giving the mysterious symbols a dancing appearance as they changed in time with the energy. Zara's heart pounded. She had no idea what to anticipate, but this? She had never anticipated anything like this.She heard Kael stirring behind her. He was shifting, moaning, and putting his hand up to his head when she turned around. Her chest swelled with relief. They were running out of t
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-16
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Chapter 7
The Fury of the SentinelThe cavern echoed with the Sentinel's footsteps, each one laden with the weight of age-old might. The ground shook beneath Zara's feet, as though the earth itself were yielding to the creature's will, and she could feel it in her bones. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps, and her pulse thumped in her ears.Not much had ever scared her. She had, after all, fought against the perils of this broken planet, scavenged among ruins, and survived the fall of an empire. But the horror clutched at her, a deep, gnawing emotion that threatened to suffocate her, as she stood before the Sentinel, an old, living weapon.She was dragged back towards the cavern's shadows by Kael's firm grip on her arm. "Zara, get moving!" he yelled, his voice full of desperation.She didn't require two reminders. They fled into the cave's darkness, Kael at the forefront, avoiding the dazzling light that the Sentinel's presen
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-16
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Chapter 8
A Precarious FlightThe stifling darkness of the cavern they had fled was a sharp contrast to the pale light of the outside world. Zara's lungs stung from the crisp night air as she staggered out into the open and gasped. The feeble stars in the sky above were obscured by the ash cloud that pervaded the atmosphere.Kael was not far behind, helping her to balance herself while wearing a sombre expression. His voice was low yet forceful as he enquired, "Are you okay?"Zara nodded, but it felt like her body was about to give out. The crystal was still in her grasp, its warmth throbbing slightly. Despite the fact that her hands were shaking, she said, "I'm fine."Kael's jaw tensed as he looked back towards the cave entrance. "That thing is still alive, but we bought ourselves some time." It will pursue us.Zara answered in a hollow voice, "I know." The image of the Sentinel's eyes, flashing red with an unusual, alm
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-17
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Chapter 9
The Signal and the StormThe stifling silence of the forest was broken only by the slight rustle of trees covered in ash. Zara leaned heavily on Kael as they struggled forward, getting farther away from the scene of their most recent near-death experience with every step. Her mind roiled with a restless energy, even as her legs cried out for rest.With a raspy voice, she eventually questioned, "What was that?" With a faint glimmer that pulsed as though it were alive, she gazed at the crystal in her fingers.Kael kept his eyes on the road ahead and avoided looking at her. He said, "Zara, it wasn't just the stalker." "That brightness... Your actions back then were like to setting off a beacon."A lighthouse?" Zara said again, her heart pounding. "You mean others witnessed it?"Kael eventually turned to her and paused his stride. He had a sombre face. Not only other people. them.In Zara's chest, the weight of his words
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-17
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Chapter 10
Voices Amid the DebrisThe terrain had been raggedly scarred by the storm. Ash and rubble swirled in erratic patterns beyond the deteriorating walls of their shelter, serving as a sombre reminder of the world's unrelenting deterioration. When Zara awoke from a restless slumber, she saw Kael standing close to a ragged window, his gaze sweeping the bleak sky."Is there anything out there?" Her voice was still heavy with fatigue as she asked.Kael remained still. Although his tone implied that they were not secure, he stated, "Nothing we can see." But something is on the horizon. I sense it.Zara sat up, squirming as her back's rigid muscles objected. "Are you ever sick of being correct about negative things?"Kael gave a slight smirk as he looked over his shoulder. "Not really."The tension between them was evident despite the effort at humour. Zara's hand automatically reached for the crystal, which was now tucked in
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-17
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