The heavy iron grate groaned loudly under the pressure. Kael pushed it upward with his incredibly strong shoulders. The rusted metal gave way with a loud and terrible screech. A harsh red light spilled down into the dark stairwell. It was not the light of the morning sun. It was the light of a dying city.
Valeria climbed out of the sewer access tunnel and stepped onto the cobblestones of Ashbourne.
The Western Duchy was burning to the ground. The beautiful white marble architecture of the White Lotus headquarters was heavily stained with soot and blood. The purple smog of the Demon Realm pressed down heavily from the sky. But the ground level was entirely illuminated by mundane fire. Buildings were collapsing in showers of bright orange sparks. The air was thick with the smell of burning wood and the metallic tang of fresh blood.
"Get the machine out," Valeria commanded over the deafening roar of the flames.
