His breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps as he reached the edge of the forest.
Above the treetops, thick black smoke coiled into the sky like a serpent, blocking out the sun and casting a heavy shadow over the land. His heart pounded against his ribs, each beat reverberating with growing dread.
He didn't stop. He ran with urgency.
The acrid scent of burning wood stung his nose, mingling with something far worse, a metallic tang that turned his stomach.
Breaking through the tree line, he stumbled into the open, his eyes widening in horror as the village came into view.
Everything was ablaze.
Flames leaped from rooftops, devouring homes and casting flickering shadows across the scorched ground. Entire buildings collapsed under the weight of the fire, their wooden beams snapping with sharp, agonizing cracks.
The air was thick with heat and smoke, clawing at his throat with every breath.
