Land of Heathens

Chapter 3 - A Nation in Decline

By the third morning after the grueling final exam and scholarship assessment, exhaustion weighed heavily on them, and the world outside seemed to spiral out of control.

For three days straight, every TV in the neighborhood blasted headlines like warning sirens, shattering any attempt at calm.

“Terrorist attack in Osolin, Argathe’s capital…

Fifteen officials arrested for underground corruption…

Bodies discovered after an alleged organ-trafficking raid…

New reports confirm Othmir has been exploiting Argathe’s mineral reserves for decades…”

Navir sat stiffly on the sofa, the blue glow of the screen washing across his tired face. He hadn’t spoken much since the exam.

Beside him, Nimi hugged her knees tightly, trembling every time a new report rolled in.

“This is too much,” she whispered. “It feels like everything is falling apart at once.”

Mehrak sank deeper into the beanbag, shoulders heavy, voice rough with fatigue. “Exams are over… and the world keeps sinking deeper into agony. I just can’t keep up with this.”

The station switched to another graphic alert, sirens, flashing red banners, trembling camera footage. The tension in the room thickened like smoke.

Nimi pressed her palms to her ears. “Navir, please, change the channel. Anything. I can’t… I can’t listen to any more of this.”

Navir reached for the remote.

But every channel showed something worse.

More raids. More arrests. Entire neighbourhoods under investigation. Talking heads arguing over whether the country’s systems were about to implode.

“Oh God! Navir… change the channel,” Nimi begged, pulling her knees tighter.

“I’m trying,” Navir flipped through faster. “There’s nothing else.”

Channels blurred, a rapid-fire showcase of catastrophe, each one piling onto the next until the air itself buzzed with dread.

Mehrak rubbed his face with both hands. “Feels like a warning. Something big is coming… I guess.”

Navir swallowed hard.

The world felt like it was trembling on its hinges.

Nimi finally pushed herself to her feet, pacing in front of the TV. “It just keeps getting worse! Every channel, every report… it’s like the world’s falling apart faster than they want us to see. Something’s wrong, this can’t be random.”

Before Navir could respond, the broadcast switched to a different studio, bright lights, a crisp background, and lively, upbeat music that carried a sense of excitement and hope.

Nimi sank back onto the sofa, a shaky breath escaping her lips. Mehrak let out a low, relieved groan, slumping further into the beanbag. Navir leaned forward slightly, feeling the tight knot of tension in his chest loosen, even if just a little. For the first time in days, the room felt… lighter.

A male reporter shuffled his papers and smiled at the camera.

“Breaking news,” he announced, voice confident. “The final exam results are out!”

The upbeat music continued to hum as the male reporter’s voice filled the room. “Ten students will earn the nationwide scholarship this year,” he announced, shuffling his papers. “They have emerged from eight qualifying schools across the nation, which are…”

Navir barely processed the first few announcements, just noise blurring together, until one name slammed through the haze like a blow. Almark High School.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to pause.

Mehrak shot upright from the beanbag, a triumphant yell tearing from his chest. “We … we made it. How?”

Nimi shot up from the sofa, her hands flying together as a burst of thrilled disbelief escaped her.

“Are you serious? This is unreal, our school?!”

Navir remained frozen, chest tight, eyes wide. His mind struggled to connect the news with the reality before him. Part of him wanted to cheer, to throw his hands in the air, but another part felt… unsteady, as though the weight of this recognition carried a shadow he couldn’t yet name.

The reporter’s voice broke in sharply: “Winners will be announced this Friday. Don’t miss the full reveal.”

The room stilled again, excitement mingling with tension. Navir exhaled slowly, the knot in his chest tightening, knowing the coming days would change everything.

Evening settled over the street, but something about it felt wrong. The usual chatter from nearby shops was muted, and the few people around moved with quick, clipped steps, as if trying to escape the air itself.

Mehrak nudged Navir lightly. “Why are you so stiff? You look like a sitting duck.”

“I don’t know,” Navir muttered. “It’s like… we’re being watched.”

Nimi glanced around, uneasy now too. “Don’t start. I’m already nervous about Friday.”

They turned the corner. The street ahead lay strangely open, wide, empty, too quiet.

A low rumble rose behind them.

Navir stiffened.

A motorcycle rolled past, the engine’s hum low but steady. The rider leaned slightly, turning just enough for Navir to catch his gaze. His helmet visor was up, revealing cold, expressionless eyes that met Navir’s for a tense, lingering moment before the rider continued down the street.

Navir’s breath caught.

The motorcycle vanished, but the stare stayed.