The first rays of morning sun pierced through the clouds, spilling onto the ruins of East City's East District.
Rubble, bloodstains, and scorched craters.
The five bodies had already been cleared away, leaving only dark red stains on the ground that glinted like rust in the morning light.
The patrol team kept their distance, surrounding the area with a cordon. No one dared to approach.
The lingering traces of a dark purple Curse still sizzled in the cracks between the stone slabs, occasionally erupting in a tiny burst of black flame.
"Last night, here..."
A young guard swallowed hard, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of his sword.
"Several High Level Wizards died!"
The old captain crouched down, rubbed his fingertip on a scorched mark, and brought it to his nose.
The faint smell of sulfur mixed with the stench of decaying blood.
He stood up and gazed toward the distant Time Trace Tower, the wrinkles on his face deepening.
