Ash descends from the sky, obscuring the surroundings in an eerie blackness reminiscent of a moonless and starless night. The falling ash fills the valleys between the mountains while fires rage, engulfing houses and sending plumes of smoke into the air. The air becomes heavy with the acrid scent of burnt particles as the violent cascade of ash blankets the land.

     Building roofs crumble like sand as dark stones and debris rain down from the pitch-black sky. Boulders hurtle through the atmosphere like fallen meteorites, each impact igniting fiery explosions with a resounding boom. House foundations crack, and walls crumble under the relentless pressure, crashing into one another.

     Thunder reverberates through the sky with flashes of lightning that tear through the dense, ash-laden clouds. Stones continue to plummet, pounding on wooden roofs until they collapse. The sound of the crackling wind howls across the land, carrying the searing heat of a blazing inferno.

     A wooden bridge stretching between two mountains snaps in half, its shattered remains falling into the ash-filled valley below. Yet, the debris barely has time to fall before it crashes onto the ground, the echoing thud resonating within seconds. The ash steadily fills the land, layering everything with darkness.

     The accumulation of ash has obscured the mountain range, rendering it invisible. The entire landscape appears as a flat expanse covered in a thick layer of ash, illuminated only by the relentless fires consuming the houses. The environment has transformed into a nightmarish abyss, with even the horizon indistinguishable as smoke engulfs the entire area, creating an infinite, hazy inferno.

     Amidst the crumbling structures, one building stands resilient, defying the destruction surrounding it. An A-shaped roof reaches for the dark heavens, with ash sliding off its surface. Doors and windows remain tightly shut, yet muffled voices manage to escape.

     Inside the building, a cavernous chamber accommodates nearly a hundred people, filling every available space and corner. They seek refuge together in a single room, tightly packed with one another. Eyes gaze upwards and survey the surroundings. Women chant prayers while infants cry in their arms.

     On one side of the chamber, a wooden platform stands elevated. A man, his presence magnified by the contrast between his vibrant silk robe and the dark mane of shoulder-length black hair that frames his pale face, ascends the stage. With a blaring voice, he raises his arms and begins to speak. It is none other than Lee Shucho, the chieftain of the village.

"Brothers and sisters, please remain calm!" Lee's voice echoed through the chamber. "Stay calm!" His words reverberated, their weight hanging in the air.

Yet, despite his plea, the crowd continued to wail and cry out, their voices growing louder with fear and panic.

"The building might collapse!"

"We're trapped inside!"

"The ash might bury us alive!"

Lee's voice rose above the clamour. "Please, trust me when I say this building has stood sturdy and strong for centuries! It will protect us!" His words rang out, aiming to quell the rising panic. "The Remaining Podeshire is on his way here!"

A chorus of questions erupted from the crowd.

"How do you know!?"

"Is he truly on his way!?

"He is on his way!" Lee declared, stomping his foot. "We already sent him a letter before our situation worsened here! He is... he is coming!"

"He might arrive too late!"

"We could be buried before he even gets here!"

"Let's make a run for it, then!"

"Yes! We can't stay here! We'll die!"

The crowd began to stir, rising from the quivering floor.

Lee's eyes widened, startled by the unfolding chaos. "No! No! Please, everyone, stay!" His voice shook.

The crowd paused, their eyes fixed on their chieftain.

"We can't stay here!"

"We have to go before it's too late!"

"No, we must have faith and wait for the Remaining Podeshire!" Lee's voice wavered, his brows furrowing with concern. "Surely, he will come to our rescue! Trust me!" Lee placed his hands on his chest.

However, the mob blared with anger, fear, and contempt as their voices mingled in a tumultuous chorus of dissent. The chieftain's words clashed with their resolve, and they argued back as their emotions ran high.

     Dust gently descends from the ceiling amidst the furious yells and heated arguments. One of the particles lands on the shoulder of a young teenage boy, catching his attention. His gaze shifts upward, and his pupils contract, mirroring the fear that grips his heart.

     Lee's breaths become rapid and heavy as his eyes flicker towards the ceiling. His glance lowers, and his gaze returns, fixated on the roof again. His jaw drops open, a mixture of shock and realization drawn on his face. He takes a deep, trembling breath, feeling the weight of regret dawning on him, causing his entire being to tense.

"To the west chamber!" Lee's voice cracked as he pointed to his right, his words strained and raspy.

     The massive crowds surge through the doorway leading to the west chamber, their frantic footsteps echoing in the air. The door stands open wide, a gateway to safety. Panic-stricken screams fill the room as people hurry inside. Every gaze turns upwards, witnessing the ceiling ominously crack, widening with each passing moment.

     Finally, the roof succumbs to the strain, collapsing into fragments, unleashing a thick cloud of smoke that engulfs the room. Swiftly, people rush into the west chamber, seeking refuge from the impending danger. Men quickly push the door shut, sealing off the encroaching wave of smoke.

     Inside the west chamber, a sea of people had gathered, their voices silenced, and their breaths laboured as they gasped for air. Babies cried, and women sobbed while their husbands murmured. All eyes remained fixated on the closed doorway, their contracted pupils reflecting the horrors they had just experienced, including Lee, whose face mirrored the terror that gripped them all.