The village lay desolate under the dim, oppressive sky. A chilling wind swept through the empty streets, rattling loose shutters and dragging along stray bits of debris. Once a lively haven for merchants and travelers, the settlement now stood as a hollow shell of its former self. The smell of ash and despair hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the chaos that had swept through not long ago. Doors hung ajar, creaking with every gust, and the eerie silence was punctuated only by the occasional howl of the wind.
Three figures trudged through the abandoned village. At first glance, they seemed unremarkable: a young girl, a woman whose aura radiated holy energy—a rare phenomenon in the planes—and two men who carried themselves with an air of quiet dominance. The stark contrast between their appearances and the desolation around them painted a picture of quiet power, enough to make the faint-hearted flee without a second thought.
