The fire spread across Slavon. The smell of soot overpowered the senses, and the growing, billowing mass of smoke was visibly haunting. 

On the roads, people were coughing and gasping for air while trying to outrun the spreading fire. People’s screams and panting echoed all around as the world began to be painted gray and orange. 

The village’s leader, Kama, watched the scene from a minuscule watchpost along the village’s border walls. The post only had two men maintaining it equipped with damaged and rusted armor with dull swords.

Right next to the post was a pristine cardboard box nearly the same size as the post itself. Kama’s name was inscribed on it.

Kama directed the men to open the box. They tried prying the box apart with their bare hands but the material was surprisingly durable. Kama looked at their attempt while shaking his legs with his eyes slightly moist and focusing on the ash falling around them.

“Use your swords, maybe they can cut it.” The men did as instructed and luckily there was still some sharpness to them and a clanging noise came out of the box as they sliced it apart.

Inside was a gigantic metal tank on wheels that had a metal bar attached that allowed it to be pulled. On the sides of the tank were two cords with levers. “What is it Pria?” The two men questioned. “The solution to our problem,” Kama said while rushing to grab the bar and nodding at the men to do the same.

“We need to get this to as close to the fire as possible and we will use its contents to extinguish it.” The men pulled alongside Kama without question. The tank’s weight strained them, their muscles pulsating as sweat poured down their faces.

As they approached the smoke, they saw people running out of it screaming with burn marks and scars, and children crying while frantically trying to find their families. Without a second thought or even a glace, however, they continued to pull.

Eventually, their view was clouded by smog however they could see the silhouette of flaring orange and continued to pull towards it. Their sweat turned into waterfalls along their face as their throats closed up from inhaling the fumes.

Their minds slowly became cloudy as they started seeing the fire. The men let go of the bar and fell to the ground instantly. However, while crawling on the ground, the rough terrain piercing through his clothing, Kama inched his way toward the side of the tank and with his bruised hands, grabbed the hose.

He pointed it at the fire and released the lever. Suddenly a white gas began to spread and break through the smoke as the fire dissipated. Kama’s eyes widened however tears began to pour. He tried to pull the tank further to extinguish more but his arms pulsated with pain and the two men had fallen unconscious. Kama began to slowly close his eyes, when suddenly,

It's raining. 

In almost an instant the fire was dying down and the smoke cleared up. Kama’s vision slowly returned and witnessed the glowing light of a rainbow illuminating his pupils.

The two men remained unconscious but Kama tried to stand up. However, the pain in his chest and arms dragged him back down. Instead, he just lay down and basked in the clearing sky. A smile filled his face as he closed his eyes while he slowed down his breathing and whipped the tears and sweat from his face.

He opened his eyes once again, however, while staring at the rainbow he saw a dark figure in the sky. Suddenly, they dropped and shook the ground as Kama’s smile disappeared.

Kama looked directly at the figure, they wore a dark blue mask that covered their face. They had no distinguishable facial features but had long, flowing black hair that blended in with their attire. They wore all black including gloves and a coat, no skin was visible. It was as if the figure was taking light away from its surroundings. The figure stood above him silently with their hands strictly behind their back.

“I’ve heard about you,” Kama said with a raspy tone while coughing in between words, he could still feel the smoke echoing in his lungs.

“You’re unwell.” The figure said monotonically their voice showing as little emotion as their appearance. They bent down and put their hand out. 

“Let me help you.” Kama stared at them, closed his eyes, and reluctantly put his hand out. The figure then laid Kama down on some soft straw nearby that hadn’t been burned yet.

The sky had cleared up by now, instead of fire there were now puddles of water.

The figure raised their hands. Their mask began to glow and the water began to rise into the air. The figure pointed their fingers down and all the dirt and soot particles from the ground went straight down precisely. They then brought the water to Kama in a floating ball and he drank.

The figure then proceeded to take water and rinse his wounds. They intricately took out pieces of dirt and debris through the water. The figure then took some water and placed some on Kama’s arms and hands and he suddenly felt a cooling sensation from it.

“Are you feeling better?” Kama just fixed his gaze on them without speaking but furrowing his eyebrows. The figure let out a slight chuckle.

“Oftentimes perception masks the truth.” The figure said as they looked at the remains of the village. It looked decrepit but the remnants of its former beauty were still there. They then saw the tank and raised one of their hands to engulf it in water. Kama stayed silent for a while but then spoke.

“Then what is the truth.”

“I want peace and order.” 

The figure clenched their hand into a fist and crushed the entire tank.