At the outskirts of Canria, Sirvan stood in silence.
His eyes carried a mixture of grief and anger.
The village he had once loved—a green, thriving land inhabited by kind people—had been reduced to silent ruins, bleeding with destruction.
Eyria approached him, looking around with concern.
"The place... it's completely destroyed. There's no sign of anyone. It's as if they all simply disappeared."
Sirvan answered in a low voice:
"Yes... But stay alert. Something about this doesn't feel right."
At that moment, Zeylan approached quickly.
His expression was stern.
"Commander, the soldiers are ready. Should we enter the village?"
Sirvan nodded.
He looked toward the shattered village before them.
"I have a bad feeling about this... We haven't seen a single creature since we arrived."
His eyes narrowed.
"They may have left a trap waiting for us."
Zeylan replied calmly:
"Perhaps they really did leave..."
He looked toward the shadows.
"Or perhaps they're watching us from the darkness."
Eyria pointed toward the map.
"The General's army has surrounded the southern and northern sides. Reinforcements are also coming from Canrio, only seventeen kilometers away."
She lowered her hand.
"They won't be able to escape this time."
Sirvan's expression hardened.
"Alright. Eyria, Zeylan... prepare yourselves."
He drew his weapon.
"We're going in."
The three advanced into the village, followed by their soldiers.
The streets were terrifyingly silent.
The houses had collapsed.
The ground was scorched.
The air was saturated with the smell of ash...
And blood.
Sirvan approached the central square and silently surveyed the area.
There was no sign of the enemy.
"Strange..." he muttered.
His gaze moved across the ruins.
"It's as if they disappeared after finishing their filthy work."
Suddenly, Eyria cried out.
Her eyes were fixed on several small bodies lying on the ground, mutilated and torn apart.
"They ate the children!"
Her voice trembled with rage.
"These monsters don't possess even a shred of mercy!"
Sirvan approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Eyria... I know how difficult this is."
His voice remained calm.
"But anger won't help us right now."
Zeylan looked around cautiously.
"It seems their objective wasn't to occupy the village..."
He paused.
"It was to destroy it completely, spread terror..."
His eyes narrowed.
"And then flee."
Sirvan took a deep breath.
Then spoke firmly:
"Zeylan, send your unit to secure the outskirts of the village. Make absolutely certain there are no enemies left."
He looked toward him.
"And send a signal to the General. Tell him there are no enemy forces here."
Zeylan nodded and immediately departed.
Sirvan remained behind.
He stood before the ruins of the village he had once known...
Silent.
His fists tightened.
And in his eyes burned an unspoken promise.
A promise of revenge.