Far from the military compound.
Several kilometers away.
A massive crater had been carved into the earth like a wound.
The surrounding terrain was devastated.
The ground itself had collapsed inward, forming a deep pit at the center of the impact zone.
And at the bottom of that pit…
Two figures lay buried in rubble.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then the debris shifted.
Stone cracked apart as an arm forced its way free first.
Caelum.
His uniform was torn in multiple places.
Blood stained the side of his face, trickling down from his temple.
One of his shoulders had been partially dislocated from the impact.
He exhaled sharply, dragging in a breath that tasted like iron and dust.
A few meters away, the old military officer pushed himself up as well.
He looked worse.
His chest had caved inward slightly from the strike.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he coughed violently, forcing air back into his lungs.
