Before the Gray City

The sky above the city glows bright red, casting an eerie glow on the dusty streets. The once majestic old castle now stands unrecognizable, a remnant of its forgotten glory. Every step in the ruins echoes with the groans of something. Once a symbol of progress, but now there is only silence and sadness.

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A cold wind blows carrying with it the memories of old souls. These memories become stories. Amidst the chaos, a young man named Alcala walks cautiously, holding a small device that emits a blue light. He is in charge of a high-tech control device that monitors everyone in the city.

More than just a machine, it is a prison for illegal immigrants, a place where their bodies and identities are erased. In a world of constant surveillance, people live in the shadows, afraid of losing themselves. Alcala feels a deep sense of despair, but he is determined to regain his freedom.

This is not just another number in the system. The desire to transcend, to free himself from the shackles of fear, fuels his hope. But the vision of a better world seems distant and vague.

As night falls, the ruins sink into darkness. Something special emerges from the shadows. Beneath the crumbling stones, a closed iron door shelters him amidst the shattered signs, its symbolism matching the stories his grandmother told him, stories of a world before the disaster.

Inspired, Alcala feels a connection to this lost heritage. He recalls the code from his father's old archive and waves his hand to open the door. Each number dialed represents a step toward freedom.

As he passes through the door, he finds himself on a dimly lit street, bathed in bright blue light. Despite the sadness that surrounds him, his heart is filled with hope. His heart cries out, calling him forward.

He enters a large room filled with mirrors reflecting forgotten history, precious treasures buried in the darkness, books and maps. A scene appears on the screen: vast green fields under a blue sky. This is the world before power and control destroyed everything.

A breath whispers softly: "There... the world has passed." He wants to see not just the beauty, but with his own eyes, not through a cold screen. Suddenly the sound of the machine silenced him.

A voice rang out loudly: "Your ID is useless. Delete it." Fear gripped Alcala, but courage grew in him. Time passed, he entered the number he had memorized. A small door opened like a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Leaving the fear behind, he passed. Waking up in the forest, filling his lungs with fresh air. He looked at it: now the world on the screen: blue sky, green trees, and the pleasant sounds of nature.

_{"Rise Up" ~ Andra Day [Youtube]}

It was all a grand, distant, empty dream. But he knew this was not the end. Hidden forces lurked within, and he had to find other survivors to rebuild and fight. This city of ashes was filled with painful memories, but here lay the hope of a new beginning.

Hope took root in his heart. He decided not only to survive, but also to fight. He imagined a society free from regret and oppression, uniting the remaining souls. Every step was a step towards freedom, away from fear and despair.

Then a scream was heard throughout the forest. Arka, I know you are here. His heart began to beat faster. He turned and scanned the shadows. A figure appeared, shrouded in shadow, his hat covering his face.

Though Alcala's eyes were fiery, he would never be forgotten. "Alcala, we will meet again," the man said, his voice low but full of emotion. "Who are you?" Alcala shouted, trying to sound confident even as his voice shook.

As he approached, a smile spread across the man's lips, and he revealed a shiny silver medal with a familiar logo. Alcala held his breath; "Here's your answer," he turned and handed it to him, "you forgot where you put it."

Time stood still. The night wind blew through the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of earth. As Alcala stared out of the stadium, the memories flooded back. When I looked up, the man was gone, only his feet soft on the wet ground.