The awakening

I was running. I don't know from what, or where, only thing I remember is feeling of anxiety and solitude I felt at that time. Before me was a hill with a small cavern plunged into it. An ideal hideout maybe, but probably not for that exact time, as I never even set foot inside that cavern. Instead I ran up the hill, maybe thinking my exhausting journey would end there. It did, although not in a way I imagined. It was a cliff. Long fall I had to endure after I fell from it never ended.

I woke up. Sweating and breathing loudly. I quickly made sure I have all the limbs and that nothing from my body is missing. After it was clear that my body is not missing anything, I got up. While standing, I looked around, trying to not start panicking. I was in a cavern of some sort, although a bit small as had to be crouched a bit to not hit my head. I immediatly though of the cavern I saw in my… dream, was it? But I never ventured there, so it must be a different one. In the cavern there was a small pond of water. Upon inspecting it closer, water seemed to be pretty clean. And there it hit me. My body made itself clear that it is thirsty with an insufferable dry throat. Water somehow tasted much better than I remembered. After feeling hydrated enough I looked back into the pond. Water reflected my face, that looked exactly as I remembered it. Maybe a bit hairy, but still same.

Only thing I couldn't answer is: How did I get here? How did I end up in this tomb-like cavern? Then I noticed my clothing. It was a black suit with some warming properties. It bore a sign, although a bit old, still recognizable. It was Imperial Phoenix, emblem of The Empire, my homeland and my pride. I was feeling much better after remembering country I endured so much for. I was a soldier, you see. Having fought many battles for the Emperor I made myself pretty fond of The Empire, mainly because of the way it treated us – as a warriors deserving respect and treatment suitable to their accomplishments. I was actually recently promoted to captain. Yes, they called me Captain… I can't remember. No matter how I think about it, I can't remember my name. In The Empire, your name was something you cherished. It was something you should never forgot, for it made you whole – it was part of you, something, that described you. And I forgot it. I didn't know what to do and how to deal with it. How can I face my homeland while being stripped of greatest honour it has ever done to me?

No matter, I am sure I can deal with this later. It will be alright. I cheered myself on. I calmed down and started working towards my ultimate goal – getting to surface.

It was easier than i initially thought. There was a hidden button that opened a secret door leading from the cavern. Basic imperial technology – we were taught to find these doors in any environment and under any circumstances. It was an easy task, a bit primitive even. But no matter, I found the way outside. Door led to a big tunnel that was going up, probably leading to surface. Its floor was smooth and I heard a drops of water falling on the floor in the distance. I saw a mild light which illuminated surroundings. While looking at a wall, another hidden button revealed itself to me. Another one was about 1,5 metres to the side. And another on the wall on the other side of the tunnel. This confused me a bit, as at first, I thought I was in a prison of some sort. This thought went away pretty quicky, as imperial prisons didn't look like this – and I tell you, I have been in a lot of them. Never as a prisoner, of course. I decided to take a peek inside the room sealed behind secret doors. I pushed the button and doors obediently opened to me. Whatever secret it held were secrets no more. But to be frank, I would rather for it to stay secret. Inside this certain door, or rather cell to which it connected, was a body – more like skeletal remains of a person, probably an imperial citizen that met his fate here, in the lingering cells of this strange dungeon. But I was a soldier, one skeleton wouldn't bother me that much – I killed numerous people during the numerous wars I have fought in. The issue was that the same skeletal remains were in every cell of this dungeon. In some cells were even several of them – probably families, maybe lovers. All this looked like some sort of tomb. I didn't know what it was neither what purpose did it serve. Only thing is certain. That purpose is no more, as all human life in this dungeon has ceased to exist. Still shaken by my morbid discovery, I tried to make my way to the surface. Tunnel leading up was my best bet to find a way to the surface. As I was ascending, I felt sudden change in temperature. It was suddenly hot and I started sweating. My suit then started ventilating and cooling me. It was a handy thing to have. Even I was surprised it still worked – because who knows how long have I been here, in my underground cell. It was definetly enough time for human body to decompose even in these cold temperatures.

Tunnel suddenly ended and I found myself standing in a big room filled with control panels and beeping sounds. It must have had some big energy source as it was still running. There was even a communication device. I felt relieved. Knowing I can call someone and tell him about my circumstance, I pushed the button depicting Phoenix with crown, which was a common sign of the Imperial army and called. No one responded. Thinking the device is broken, I sighed and turned the device off. I tried to mess with the buttons and control panels. I didn't understand them properly, but what I understood is that it was supposed to somehow control this strange dungeon. Above one button was a picture of door. I pushed it, expecting to see door opening somewhere. And surprise surprise, they did open. Fog rushed from the door like if running before something and then vaporized, probably due to change in temperature. The room behind the doors was very wet. I never really tried to find out why, as I had bigger issues to worry about. The room I've just entered was an armory. At first I was reluctant as if I should arm myself or not. But then again, better be prepared than not. And I think I made the right choice. There was an imperial helmet and chestplate – to stop bullets, of course. Then I found some guns, but most of them were somehow damaged by the humidity they had to face. Only one, which wasn't damaged, was a gun made specifically for officers. Better than nothing, I thought. It was a small machine gun, submachine gun. It was in a waterproof pack, which explained why it wasn't damaged. This was a common practice, as guns for officers had often gold ornaments on them, so they were kept in protective packages. With it, there also were two spare magazines. That was more than enough, as I expected I wouldn't even use the gun – I took it just in case. Smiling widely, I set foot towards doors, that were marked as „Exit."

Upon exiting the dungeon through the door, I was met with voices. A feeling of happiness ran through me. I was happy to hear voices of other people. As I was getting closer towards them, I realized, that they are speaking in some strange language, that was unknown to me. It was strange as I never even heard this language before. But they sounded angry, maybe arguing over something. I decided to listen to them, thinking that if I can't understand their words, maybe I can understand their emotions.

„Seš si jistej, že je tohle ten správný? A nelžeš nám?"

„Jo, jsem. Přesně tady by to mělo být."

„No jen aby. Už tak jsme tady docela dlouho."

„Klid, za chvíli na to narazíme."

I didn't understand a word they said, but I figured out theme of their discussion. They really were arguing over something. About what though, that's anyone's guess. I carefully examined situation I am in. I decided to show myself. Not like I had any other chance, I had to go around them to reach the surface. I peeked from the shadow I was lurking in and greeted them in a casual way. After spotting me, they started shouting something and then they attacked. One of them swung to me with his sword and the other was shooting me with… a bow? Why were they so old fashioned? Upon looking at them closer, I realized they are clothed in a very wierd way. One had a plate on his chest, but from some metal. Other one had a shirt, but it was made from small chains. Other had his helmet from some shiny metal, not from hardened titan as I had. I was pretty confused by this. I dozed for a bit, thinking about their weird way of dressing and a arrow whistled a few inches next to me. I forgot I am in a middle of a fight – and I dare to call myself a soldier. I quickly retreated behind cover, while two guys were shooting at me with bows. It wasn't really hard to deal with them. Two aimed shots to the head quickly removed them as a threat, and other three guys that chased me with a sword till now started running. Cowards. I quickly dispached two shots that hit their target. While aiming the third, my arm collapsed and bullet didn't hit it's destined target, rather it hit him in his mettalic chest plate. Thinking I have to fire again, I aimed, but the guy was already lying on the ground. I was frankly surprised my bullet could penetrate this kind of armor. I started to examine their bodies, as they could be an enemy's scout unit or something. At least that's what I thought. Yet they carried nothing. No orders and no other equipment they could use for communication. Feeling a bit puzzled by this, I went upstairs, to finally reach the surface, to reach my home, to reach The Empire.

Never would I imagine, that it was gone.