Kael stood at the edge of the forest, her breath hitching as she caught sight of the billowing flames consuming the outskirts of her hometown. The vibrant oranges and reds of the fire painted the night sky in a chaotic dance of destruction. Smoke curled upward, a dark column blotting out the stars. Her crimson eyes widened, the usual calm and calculated demeanor melting into a storm of disbelief and panic.
Her footsteps faltered as she stepped forward, her body trembling with a mix of fear and fury. The earthy scent of the forest was now overwhelmed by the acrid stench of burning wood and ash. Her sharp hearing picked up distant screams, faint but distinct. The sound tore at her, igniting a flame of determination in her chest.
"No... this can't be happening," she whispered, her voice strained, almost breaking. Her sharp nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, the pain grounding her amidst the chaos.
