Chapter 72: Rallying the Troops
The camp was a shadow of its former self. Fires smoldered in the wreckage, casting a haunting orange glow on the faces of the survivors. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid scent of destruction. Bodies lay strewn across the battlefield, some unrecognizable, others clutching weapons as if they'd never surrendered. The aftermath of her brother's attack was a stark reminder of the stakes they faced.
Alex stood in the heart of the devastation, her cloak tattered and stained. Her hands trembled as she gripped the hilt of her sword, still slick with blood. Around her, what remained of her faction looked to her for answers, their eyes hollowed by grief and exhaustion. She felt the weight of their gaze, each one a silent plea for hope.
