The world faded in and out surreally as I walked through the quiet streets of Dublith. Most of the population celebrated in the center of town, leaving the streets deserted and empty. The mysterious woman walked in front of me, her heels clicking softly against the stone. My vision blurred around the edges as the intensity of my craving consumed my chest in acute discomfort.
I had figured it out. It was the red stone. I’d finally run out of the energy it provided for me. Sick amusement coiled in my gut. It had taken an absurdly long time for me to make the connection but it was obvious. I hadn’t taken anything in as sustenance besides the stone and a few bites of food that I couldn’t even keep down for days.
We passed by a loud, jangling bar, the light and sound flashing sickly in the
