Naya woke to the overwhelming scent of smoke. The dark was blacker and more oppressive than it had any right to be. Her eyes stung from the fumes that billowed through her door.

  She ran through the door as quickly as she could, leaving behind any memory she had. The way forward was through, nothing else mattered.

  A raging fire was consuming the bottom floor. The kitchen was black and charred from what seemed to be a blaze that had been active for some time now. Naya frantically looked for any sign of her family.

  “Mom? Krissy?” she queried aloud, hoping to hear from her sister and mother. Her mom usually got home late, so maybe she wasn't here yet. Krissy would be asleep in her room, however.

  Naya ran to the door of her sister's room, desperately banging on it to get her attention. It wouldn't budge. There was no answer.

  Feeling overwhelmed and quickly losing her grip, Naya screamed at the top of her lungs. Like a balloon swelling, she felt her heart beat with intense force. Her whole body felt light as consciousness slipped away from her, leaving her lying in front of her sister's room. Light bathed her body as though she were a funeral pyre.

  Naya awoke to the sound of sirens. The memory of the fire lingered. But as she came to, the world around her wasn't ash and ruin. Her home was intact.

  As she walked around, it became clear. Everything was exactly how she remembered it last. The TV was buzzing with a show she had seen a dozen times. The couch was left with an impression as though her mom was sitting there, legs sprawled out like she liked to do. But no one was there. The kitchen was lit up and the sound of a mixer running could be heard, but no one was operating it. Krissy wasn't prepping cupcakes. That was a different night. No one was there.

  The house resembled what she knew. The ambient warmth. The smell of dinner. The buzzing of electronics. But it was empty. Life had left the home.

  Naya opened the front door to see if maybe the house was saved and she just didn't know. As she took a few steps away from her home, it became clear. What looked like a sphere surrounding her extended for about 10 feet. The front of the house looked immaculate, same as she had always remembered. Beyond that, it was charred remains of her childhood home. As if memory was the only thing keeping it alive.

  Maybe that was it. Maybe it was gone. Maybe mom and Krissy were gone too. Naya had to accept that things were strange. As she was thinking this, a voice came over her shoulder.

  “Hey kid, you gotta let go,” rang out a voice from an older Irish man. He wore a dusty drifter coat with a catholic priest collar underneath. “You hold on too tight and you’ll be the one lost.”

  Naya was shocked at the sudden appearance, deeply focused on what she had lost. The shock felt like a weight snapping, releasing what she held onto. The house disappeared, leaving only ash. A mix of relief from letting go and pain from realizing everything was gone hit her all at once. She wept.

  “What happened? Why is it like this?” Naya shook visibly, processing the pain she felt. The man gently placed a hand on her shoulder, comforting her but remaining a bit distant.

  “Aetherstorm hit these parts hard. A lot of people are affected. This town basicslly got hit with a firestorm. Listen, I'll go over the details soon. Let's talk about what happened to you.” The man handed her a business card. The card stated ‘James O’Hannon, Peacemaker’.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “Peacemaker? Aetherstorm? What the hell are you talking about?” Naya screamed, tears flowing. She was exhausted, furious, confused. As far as she knew, her family was gone. Her home was gone. And now some kind of mystical experience? She wanted to be done. She wanted to disappear.

  “Keep it calm, miss. Right now is an important time. I know it's hard to keep it together. If you slip up now, you're gone.” James lit a cigarette and took a long drag. He then postured to Naya, but she declined. “No worries. Helps some with their nerves. I get it. Especially considering… ah. Well, let me explain this to you.”

  James took a deep breath. “You were hit with an aetherstorm. These are usually kept under wraps. If you hear about a nuclear meltdown, a tidal wave, wildfire, what have you. Usually one of these. Been a problem for god, 2000 years? Longer probably.”

  James sighed deeply. What seemed like the weight of a lifetime pressed down on him. He reached into a satchel he had on his back, pulling out a few photographs. Each one showed a person in seeming agony, surrounded by swirling energies. Some looked fiery, some like storms. “These are Time Lost. This is what happens when someone is overwhelmed with aether and can't keep their emotions in check. They basically become a natural disaster in human form. They're trapped in the moment that overwhelmed them. Living the same painful memories over and over. Forever manifesting energies that balloon over a huge area.”

  James took another long drag on his cigarette. “One of these hit here. Nearly leveled a mile radius with fire. Your house stayed intact, or so it seemed. So I was sent to investigate. Only thing that can deal with that is someone who awakens or someone who knows about aether. As long as you don't lose yourself, you're awakened now. We call people like that Aetherials.”

  Naya took a deep breath and tried to take in what he was saying. “So what I’m a wizard or something now? I'm gonna throw fireballs? I lost my family and now I have to do this? For what? Why?” Naya clenched her fists so hard, her knuckles turned stark white. “I just want my family back. I want my life back.”

  James sighed deeply. “Listen, I’ll tell it to you straight. I ain't some recruiter. I'm not here to make you some grand hero or involve you in some military, or hell even recruit you for the organization I associate with. I’m here to make sure you aren't a ticking time bomb and to end your life if I feel you are. That guy who went Time Lost and burned down your block? I killed him. It's what I have to do.” He spat, seeming disgusted. “If you keep yourself level and don't become Time Lost, I’m not going to tell you to do anything. I’m out of the recruiting business. Live your own life. If you want a ride to the next town, I’ll give you one. You want somewhere safe to go? I know a place. But that's on you. I’m not a babysitter. Just a peacemaker.” James coughed, his voice having become a bit raspy as his speech went on.

  “I’ll figure it out. It's my neighborhood. I want as little to do with this nonsense as possible,” Naya stated, emotion drained from her voice. “I get you're not a charity and I don't need one.”

  James threw up his hands in a gesture of mock defeat. “Listen, my number is on the card. More for my concern for others’ safety than yours, if you're struggling call me. I can put you somewhere you’ll be safe.” A genuine look of concern came over James. He was a man who had seen too much death but never lost what made him human. Being cold was easier, but he didn't like it.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, but no promises.” Naya let out a deep sigh. Coming to terms with what was told to her and the reality of her situation pressed down on her, but she had no choice but to persevere.

  James nodded. “Two last things. One, aetherstorms are becoming way more common than I’ve ever seen. Expect this to just be public pretty soon. Can't really avoid it." He tapped his cigarette, dropping ashes to the ground before taking another drag. "Two, Aetherials activate their energy by remembering the overwhelming emotion they felt when they awakened. Lotta people that's their trauma. It ain't fun. Keep that in mind and don't lose yourself. Goodbye, kid. Take care.” James O’Hannon gave Naya a quick wave, then turned and walked out of sight.

  Naya now understood that home was gone. Her family was probably gone. Survival was what was left.