When Lucas arrived in the middle of the once snowy north, his face immediately contorted in anguish as he gazed upon the desolation before him.
He had expected to see the barrier, yet in front of him lay something he could only describe as ruins.
The ruins stood as silent witnesses to some terrible event. Trees that had once stood tall and proud were now scattered like broken toys.
The snowy blanket that had covered the ground was tossed around, revealing patches of the earth beneath, as if a giant hand had swirled the snow into messy piles.
His heart raced in his chest, anxiety gripping him tightly. From where he stood, he could see the barrier, which remained untouched, yet the world around it had crumbled.
A heavy dread settled in his stomach.
Without a second thought, he sprinted toward the barrier and found a bloodied figure lying close by.
