The ground shook violently as the cave exploded, debris raining down. Yara shielded her face, feeling the heat of the dragon's flames at her back. As the silence descended, an eerie calm enveloped them, but it was punctured by the ragged breathing of the survivors.
Dust hung in the air, particles swirling slowly as Yara and the villagers crouched low, and took stock of their surroundings. The once-grand altar lay in ruins, a gaping hole where it once was.
Yara coughed, her throat raw from the dust. She struggled to sit up, her muscles screaming in protest. Her heart thudded as she surveyed the destruction. "Are you two alright?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she turned to the two villagers who had hidden behind her. Their faces were pale, shock etching lines into their features, but they nodded, albeit hesitantly.