From Sand And Ash Novels & Stories

"See those ferns, pineapple bushes..." "I love the sunset here, see how glowing everywhere is and the sand"Si jie sit on the ground playing like a kid, hope turn akimbo, taking some sand into her palm"Those tall palm trees are beautiful" Si jie and hope sleep on the sun gleam on them and the abundance of sand surrounded them,excited them. "Wow the sand is rough on my skin" Hope half smiled "It's stinging"She chortle, Si jie turn to furrow her brow at hope.

The Empire's Ashes The 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.

I forced myself to let my mind wander over what she’d said, let it circle over in my head. If what she said were true, if dragons could have more than one mate, then maybe this disaster I found myself in wasn’t an accident at all. Maybe it was in my blood. But the other half of Ashleigh’s story, the half about fire consuming everything, settled like a stone in my stomach. She had been right. Restlessness leaked into magic. And mine was already too close to the edge.

The sensation of the grains between their toes brought smiles to their faces, grounding them in the present moment. Liya couldn't resist the call of the ocean. She dashed towards the water, her laughter ringing out like a sweet melody. She splashed into the waves, her excitement contagious. Whizz wasn't far behind, joining her in the playful dance with the sea. Simon, too, felt the need to let loose. He built an impressive sandcastle, eliciting delighted cheers from Daniella and Daniel. They all got involved in sculpting the castle's turrets and moats, the creative activity fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Ocean waves wetted the sand a bit more with each surge that rolled toward Ella’s bare feet as she sat in her favorite spot, laptop hugged against her chest, her eyes focused on the horizon in the distance. Above her, the circling gulls called to one another, their song haunting, yet beautiful and comforting in a way that anchored Ella to her new home in Abalone Cove and reminded her that this place had been special for hundreds of years before she and her husband Rome came to own the large beach house behind her. She had no doubt this place would offer solace to others looking for peace long after she was gone.

Chapter Thirteen – Ashes on the Road The road stretched endless beneath a bruised sky, dust curling into the air with each faltering step. Adrian’s boots ground against gravel and ash, dragging over ruins that had once been villages, homes, lives. Pain radiated from his ribs, the bullet graze still raw beneath the filthy bandages he had wrapped himself in. Every inhale flared like fire through his lungs.

All the while the words which fell over Alisha's ears were his cinderella. "Don't worry about her. I will take care" Sandy spoke when Alisha was rooted to the position hearing his rude talks. "I am not worried about you" with that she turned her heels and left the place with a smile which was a warning bell to Sandy but he shrugged it off casually as his whole focus was on his cinderella who clutched his hands so cutely resting her head on his shoulders. ***

Sienna’s throat locked. “What’s that—” The wall behind them cracked, a loud snap splitting concrete, widening fast. Water roared in, black and freezing, smashing her legs out from under her. She went down, Roman’s hand grabbing her arm, but the flood climbed quick, and something crashed overhead—wood splintering, stone falling, the house breaking apart.

“What happened?” “Nothing Asher. Nothing. Come on we have to return home.” Asher nodded reluctantly; I know he had questions which I don’t want to answer. I threw the travelling sand exactly at the same spot where we come from. Ανοίξετε.

“Tell me what I must do, Mother." Her mother guided her toward the river as they discussed some things. The waters shimmered like clear crystal, reflecting the beauty of the constellations above. At the bank, smooth and translucent stones lay scattered. Beside them, a mound of shimmering silver dust floated around. “This,” her mother said, kneeling gracefully, “is star-ash. What falls when stars shed their husks? Mixed with river stones, it becomes the only vessel strong enough to hold shadow-magic without corruption.”