[Realm: Álfheimr]
[Location: Heart Kingdom Outskirts]
The forest thinned abruptly as the wind blew.
Beyond the myriad of blackened trees the land opened into a broad, unnatural clearing. There in the desolation, stood a forward encampment. It was not a haphazard gathering of tents and wagons—it was organized. Everything about it contrasted the ruined environment of the surrounding forest.
The soil was dry and compacted by marching feet and wheels—trodden down to dust. Structures of dark steel and reinforced materials jutted out at clean angles. Sleek black tents formed neat rows around a central command pavilion. Each tent was marked with red diamond-shaped insignias. Torchlight flickered dimly along the perimeter, but the majority of the lighting came from seemed like crystal pylons.
