The ruckus continued. The ground trembled incessantly, shaking as if the earth itself was terrified. The cacophony of destruction outside was relentless, unyielding, a grim symphony that resonated within the walls of the room. Maria's eyelids fluttered open.
She lay on an old but well-kept couch, the cushions firm yet oddly comforting. Her vision was blurry, her mind hazy, as though she had woken from a long dream that refused to fully release her. Slowly, she took in her surroundings—a moderate-sized room filled with people moving about, their voices sharp and hurried. Some gave orders, others responded, their words blending into a disorienting hum. The air buzzed with urgency, but Maria could not make sense of it.
