The wind screamed as Asmodeus tore through the sky.
Clouds split around his body, his black and grey wings cutting through the morning haze with enough force to scatter the gulls circling above Vel'Ashera. The capital vanished behind him, replaced by green fields, broken cliffs, and the distant silver line of the western sea.
Yet the closer he flew towards Baltimore, the worse the air became.
Thick with salt, smoke and a strange, rotten stench that reminded him of spoiled milk and beneath it all, something foul and metallic, like blood left inside a rusted bucket.
'Something isn't right here.'
Soon, the grand spires of the city appeared beyond the cliffs, surrounded by high, brilliant white stone walls and watchtowers flying Lumeria's banners.
Normally, Baltimore was loud before noon with dock bells, fishmongers, and sailors screaming insults over cargo prices.
But right now, the lower harbour resembled a kicked anthill.
