"I returned to see Zei frowning, looking around she glanced at me.
"Where did you go" she asked.
"I tried waking you up but you were still half asleep, so I went to freshen up"
"At least tell me where you are going, don't wander alone we don't know what might happen to us at any given time"
I smiled and sat down "Its okay I will be careful to wake you up next time even if I have to use force, for now go wash up" I pointed her towards the direction of the lake and waited for her.
With strong winds picking up and dark clouds rolling in, it was clear that a storm was brewing on the horizon. We had no time to waste.
Zei returned after a while, it seemed like she was fishing with her new dagger as I saw what must have been at least ten fish in a rusty bucket.
"This dagger is amazing, it made my job really easy. I was even able to cut branches with it easily" she spoke, fiddling with the dagger in her hand.
"We must hurry, it looks like a storm is coming" I said while igniting the fire.
"How about we stay here until the storm subsides?" she suggested, I could tell she wanted me to take it easy. However, there was no point in staying here, we had to move forward.
"Don't worry, I am fine now. I don't need rest plus I would rather go and explore this place more than stay here" I said, grilling the fish around the fire.
"Still I think it's better for you to take it slow" she persisted.
"I'm fine for now, there is no point in delaying our journey. Even if something happens you will be there"
"Fine" She sighed "If you say so"
"I hope we find a settlement with people soon, I am getting tired of eating bland fish everyday" I complained while chewing on the grilled fish.
After finishing our breakfast, we continued to venture further into the city. Within a few minutes of walking we reached the location where countless human skeletons lay in silence.
"What do you think happened to these people? " Zei asked, venturing further.
"Most of them seem to be soldiers, perhaps they died defending this city in some war against the enemy " I said while looking around.
"But then why did no one come to retrieve the bodies, why did they let the bodies rot away instead of giving them a proper burial"
"Perhaps the same reason why there are no people living here now" I uttered, making our way forward.
There was nothing much to explore in this abandoned city, the state of the buildings just got worse as we travelled further, but it was still better than wandering in that hellish forest.
Soon it was dusk, we inhabited a nearby building which looked to be in a better condition than others.
"We travelled quite far today" Zei said "But it seems like we might have to halt our journey for tomorrow"
Rain had started pouring down soon after we enter the building and it didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
"You're right, let's take a break for a day or two" I agreed.
"I still can't believe this place is earth, everything we have witnessed so far seems too irrational to accept."
"I wonder if we'll ever get answers to our questions" she uttered, gazing at the raindrops falling down. The smell of damp earth and gentle cold winds filled the city.
It was nightfall now, so I insisted she sleep first as I kept the guard. She was reluctant at first but soon agreed and drifted into sleep.
I sat beside a broken window, the sound of raindrops falling and the earthy smell of rain made the scene somewhat serene and blissful.
It must have been past midnight when I suddenly heard a noise from outside. I immediately got alert as I looked outside the window. There was nothing, I couldn't spot anything that could have made the noise.
"Am I hallucinating?" That was the first thought that came to my mind. However, I heard it again, the sound of someone sprinting, I immediately went back to wake up Zei.
"Zei wake up its an emergency wake up" I shook her fiercely.
"Mhmm, what is it " she muttered, still half asleep.
"It looks like we are not alone here," I said quietly.
She jolted awake and almost shouted but I stopped her, placing my hand on her mouth.
"Sssshhhh, it might hear us" understanding the situation she nodded quietly, "Take your weapon, we need to stay alert"
We both looked outside the window again, the rain was still pouring lightly accompanied by strong wind, but I was still clearly able to hear the sounds of footsteps.
"You hear them too?" I asked Zei, she nodded in affirmation.
"It looks like we are not alone in this city after all."