February 3rd, 2021 9:25 PM

The streets of Kaskaden were eerly, blessedly quiet. From her vantage point on top of the city walls, Ailith could see doors hanigng open, wagons overturned, and some personal possessions that were left behind, forgotten in the rush to evacuate. Ailith could feel a layer of dirt and sweat on her body, a faint ache in her side twinging with each breath.

Hostras would be arriving at dawn, and The First and Last had actually managed to evacuate the entire city in the night. Ailith hadn’t had the chance to change out of her ball outfit, the burgundy suit now dirty and stained. She had barely slept, but it was worth it. The sun was rising, and Hostras would arrive to an empty city; it was a small victory, but Ailith would take it.

The silence was rended by a sound like thunder, the unmistakable pulsing of wings. Above them, Hostras materialized, burning his way thorugh the east wall. No one said a word, watching the destruction silently, knowing that every battle won in the months leading up to this, every slight victory, had been for nothing.

Ailith was so caught up in her own thoughts that the soft touch on her hand actually startled her. Feyra took Ailith’s hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. Anchored once more, Ailith squeezed, a small, desperate attempt to offer comfort. Xiv shuffled towards them, helmet in hand. Sparing one last glance at Hostras’s red form against the otherwise blue sky, Ailith gripped Xiv’s shoulder with her free hand, and was engulfed in darkness.