Chapter Text
The wind howled through the town, unable to endure the world's pain. Beneath the endless dark night, the sky burned with furious shades of of orange and crimson as the towering flames devoured everything in their path, stretching far to the horizon, with no chance of fading. The impenetrable air mingled with the flames, searing every breath, stinging exposed skin as burning ash drifted like snow.
Where laughter had once echoed, there was only silence. Where children had once clutched toys, soldiers gripped guns. Where peace had once flourished, there was only war.
Hidden in the ruins of a home, once brimming with life and joy, a little girl trembled. She shrank into the shadows, with her back pressed against a crumbling wall. Struggling to remain unseen, she willed her face to be concealed by darkness.
Several men in the army were just around the corner, arguing.
"Where’d she go?" said one, exasperated and adjusting the bindings of his bandages.
"That blasted spoiled little princess," exclaimed his companion.
"Of all people why’d we lose her? Commander isn’t gonna like this."
"We can’t lose her, not for the future of Mitradi!"
The footsteps of the men waned. Certain that the men was long gone, the little girl trembled with relief, and without hesitation, stumbled desperately in the opposite direction, through the debris of a once beautiful city. A tear ran down her cheek, as a new life was about to begin.