The Pale City, dismal and gloomy, featureless gray clouds rolling overhead casting a darkness that seemed permanently ingrained in the city. The city seemed draped in a somber cloak, the smell of rot and abandon evident with the countless giant, looming buildings that littered the city, leaning and sagging like wilting flora. As the rain cascades down from the leaden sky, each droplet pelts down with an ever growing urgency, creating a Presto of symphonies of splashes that dance upon the pavement. Amidst this watery ballet, two figures step forward, their bare feet meeting the slick surface with a soft slap.

Mono’s hand grips yours tightly, leading you through the ongoing fray of heavy rain and cold winds. You two found yourselves dodging and winding around the various trash and debris strewn around carelessly on the streets. Seeking shelter from the merciless rain, the two of you venturing your way into one of the abandoned buildings. Mono was quick to notice you were shaking from the cold, constant downpour.

“Psst, hey!” Mono called out to you in the familiar way he always did, gesturing for you to come over. Due to pure luck or so, Mono managed to find a box of matches, one lone one still left in the box. It didn’t take long for Mono to spark it up, creating a small fire from abandoned items scattered around.

The two of you huddled together, shoulder to shoulder, sitting side by side in front of the small fire burning just for the two of you. A moment of calm, a break from the whirlwind of running and fighting for your lives. Mono’s two round eye holes from the paper bag he donned over his head were set on the flickering flames of the fire, just staring. Silence wasn’t uncommon between you two, and just like all the other times before, you two simply sat in a stillness within the simple act of merely warming up your fragile bodies, soaking up the seeming peace. For now.