Maera was waiting as Lycon and Justin dropped down on the other side. Here, the boulevard was lined with destroyed building fronts. The structures had been reduced to rubble-filled husks. The dark essence of daemyn hung over everything like a sopping wet sheet. Ducking low, Lycon and Maera jogged up the street.

"Is there any way out of the city?" Justin asked as he followed.

"When the assault began," said Lycon, "many citizens initially escaped by water, but only the first wave ...