The first light of dawn bathed Aswalt in its golden glow, etching the previous night into the collective memory of its residents. Those who had sought refuge in the underground tunnel cautiously peered outside, their curiosity aroused by the newfound stillness above. In accordance with Bowen's directives, the small mouse scurried and rallied everyone out, signifying the diminishing danger. The citizens could sense the magnitude of the catastrophe merely by bearing witness to the devastation strewn across the land.
Once-sturdy trees, buildings, roads, and even the town walls now lay in ruins, reduced to unrecognizable rubble. Grief hung heavy in the air as people mourned their fallen brethren, who had stubbornly clung to their homes only to lose their lives. For others, the loss of their houses and shops cast a shadow of uncertainty over their future. Even the most basic needs like food became an immediate concern.
