As the first light of morning crept over the horizon, Purewood lay in shambles, a city broken but not defeated. The survivors, weary from the night of terror and the gruelling search and rescue efforts, were finally beginning to rest. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and ash, mingling with the faint tang of blood—a grim reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.
The streets, once bustling with life, now carried an eerie stillness. People who had spent the night in hiding slowly emerged from their shelters, their faces pale and drawn. Among them were Lady Anastasia, the daughter of Mayor Kingsley, and her mother, Lady Milena. They had taken refuge with the elderly and children within the relative safety of the castle during the attack. Now, they stepped onto the streets, their eyes wide with a mixture of shock and curiosity as they took in the scene before them.
