Title: The Ashes We Loved

The city had been burning for days. Smoke curled into the blood-red sky, blotting out the sun and choking the air. Ash fell like snow, covering the ruins in a soft gray blanket. Buildings were crumbling, streets were split open, and the once vibrant hum of life had given way to silence, punctuated only by distant screams and the crackle of fire.

In the middle of it all, Elena and Arman sat together on the edge of a collapsed building, legs dangling over the abyss. The ground below them was a graveyard of twisted metal and shattered glass. They held hands tightly, their fingers laced as though letting go would cause the world to end even faster.

“It’s almost beautiful, isn’t it?” Elena murmured. Her voice was hoarse from smoke, but her eyes still held a spark.

Arman turned to her, studying her face in the flickering light. Her hair was streaked with ash, her skin smeared with soot, but to him, she had never looked more radiant. “Beautiful in a terrifying way,” he said softly. “Like a dying star.”

They had run for days, dodging falling buildings, looters, and the deadly orange tide of fire. Everyone else had fled the city long ago, but something had kept them here—something stronger than fear. Maybe it was madness. Or maybe it was love.

“Do you think there’s anywhere left to run?” Elena asked.

Arman shook his head. “Does it matter?”

She smiled faintly. “No. Not anymore.”

The wind picked up, carrying with it a swirl of hot ash. Elena shivered, and Arman pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her fragile frame. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest, steady but faint.

They thought back to how it all began. A war they didn’t start. Greedy hands pressing buttons in faraway rooms. Flames that spread faster than anyone imagined. And now, nothing was left.

“I’m glad we stayed,” Elena whispered. “If this is how it ends, I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else.”

Arman rested his forehead against hers. “Me too. Always you.”

A deep rumble echoed in the distance. Another building collapsed in on itself, sending up a cloud of dust. They didn’t flinch. There was nothing left to fear.

Elena’s breaths were growing slower. He felt her fingers relax in his hand.

“Elena?” he whispered.

“I’m here,” she said weakly. Her eyes fluttered open, and she gave him a small, tired smile. “Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t let go until it’s over.”

“I won’t,” he said. His voice cracked. “Not ever.”

The sky was turning darker now, the fires burning out as the city choked on its own destruction. The world seemed to hold its breath.

Arman held her close, feeling her heartbeat slow. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, tasting salt and ash.

When the end came, it wasn’t loud or violent. It was quiet, almost tender, like the last note of a song fading into silence.

And even as the world turned to dust around them, their hands remained clasped—two souls burning brighter than the flames that had tried to consume them.