Ethan's boots clattered against uneven cobblestones as he tore through the crowd of panicked
civilians. Kael and Liora sprinted close behind him, cutting past clusters of stunned onlookers.
Dust rose in lazy spirals around them, illuminated by the torchlight from nearby sentries.
Evening had swept across Calsoz with brutal speed; the sky was smeared with bruised purple and inkdark clouds.
He skidded to a halt in an alley as the crowd spit him out, only to find… nothing. No trace of the
figure he'd glimpsed. Just the chaos of frightened faces, half-ruined buildings, and echoes of
distant roars.
Ethan's chest heaved, pulse pounding in his ears. He backed up a step and let his gaze sweep
the narrow passage.
"Damn…" he muttered, voice rough. "They… they were heading this way."
Kael approached and leaned forward, breathing controlled but heavy. "Who was it?" he asked,
voice clipped. "If you're thinking they were someone you know, I need details."
