Zena knew acutely that the next skirmish could very well be the final one, with both sides fighting for their survival. Feral Lich and his army were pursuing them, and they had reignited the flames of war.
As they neared the base camp, a scene of destruction unfolded before them. The once serene farm field was now a gruesome spectacle of carnage, littered with bodies and shells. The colors of the landscape had transformed from tranquil greens and browns to violent reds, blacks, and browns, a result of the large-scale assault that had taken place. Instead of the usual fragrant aroma of food from a nearby town, the air was thick with black smoke and tiny embers, signifying the irreparable damage that had been inflicted.
The toll on both the environment and human life was devastating. It would take several years for the farm field to recover from the destructive effects of metal, weaponry, and broken siege engines that had replaced the once-beautiful flowers and grass.
Upon arrival at the base camp, Saffron wasted no time in seeking the leaders, Baraqil or Dagiel. As Zena trailed behind, an individual who whispered something in their ear stopped Saffron, but Zena could not make out what they said. Saffron took off towards the medical center, leaving Zena to scramble and keep up with their rapid pace.
Zena had maintained her new appearance for several days, but she felt uneasy as the angels she had been fighting alongside regarded her as if she were a stranger.
As they made their way through the destruction toward the medical center, Zena couldn’t help but feel a sense of despair wash over her. The toll that the battle had taken on both the environment and the angels was heartbreaking. The once beautiful and peaceful farm field was now a haunting reminder of the violence that had taken place.
As Saffron burst into the medical center, Zena followed behind. The chaos of the wounded and the dying was overwhelming, and Zena had to steel herself against the sight of the injured angels. Saffron found Baraqil and Dagiel, who were attending to the most critically injured. Zena hung back, not wanting to interrupt the important work being done.
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It was only when Baraqil glanced up and spotted her that Zena realized the full extent of her discomfort. The recognition in Baraqil’s eyes was fleeting, replaced by confusion and then a sudden understanding. Zena could tell that Baraqil was trying to reconcile the person she knew with the stranger standing before her.
Feeling self-conscious and exposed, Zena backed away. But Saffron caught her arm and held her in place, reassuring her with a gentle squeeze. As the chaos of the medical center continued around them, Zena took a deep breath and tried to push her discomfort aside. She knew that there were more important things to focus on than her appearance and that the battle was far from over.
Dagiel ushered Saffron and Zena aside to gather information on their encounter with the Feral Lich. Saffron recounted their journey, explaining how they had located the Lich and escaped with the aid of the stone. However, Saffron expressed concern that the Lich was now aware of the angel’s presence and may come after them again.
Dagiel listened, his brow furrowed in thought. He knew that the Feral Lich was a dangerous foe, and that he was now aware of the angel’s existence posed a significant threat. Dagiel turned to Zena, his expression grave. “We need to be prepared for the possibility of another attack,” he said. “We cannot allow the Lich to catch us off guard.”
Zena nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. She knew they needed to be vigilant and ready to defend themselves at all times.
Saffron chimed in, “I’ll rally the troops and make sure that we’re all on high alert. We can’t afford to take any chances.”
Dagiel nodded in agreement. “Good. We need to be ready for whatever the Feral Lich throws our way. We will not be surprised again.” With that, the trio set off to inform the other angels and make sure that the camp was secure. The threat of the Feral Lich loomed large, but they were determined to face it head-on and emerge victorious.
Upon their return to the base camp, Saffron inquired about the state of affairs in their absence and complained about the destruction of the neighboring field. Dagiel’s eyes grew somber as he explained the camp had been taken by surprise in a brutal attack launched by the Nomadic Titans.
Saffron’s heart sank at the news. They had heard whispers of the Titans’ movements in the area, but they had never expected an attack of such scale. Saffron could not help but feel a sense of responsibility for the destruction that had occurred while they were away.
Dagiel put a reassuring hand on Saffron’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault,” he said. “The Titans are a formidable foe, and they caught us off guard. But we’re not defeated yet. We will rebuild and we will come back stronger.”