The Blood Price

Elira

The fire is finally out now, but the village lies utterly in ruins. Smoke curls thickly into the night air, the stench of burnt wood and ash fiercely clinging to everything nearby.

Charred rooftops sag heavily, their edges faintly glowing, while broken beams crack loudly beneath the immense weight of what has been completely lost.

People scatter through the streets, some crying, others loudly shouting, their voices instantly tangled in sheer chaos.

Children cling ...