The ruined capital was a labyrinth of melted marble and drifting toxic ash.
High Ranger Celeste led the way. She moved with absolute silent precision and her boots made no sound on the scorched earth.
She avoided the wide destroyed avenues where the Abyssal bombardment had leveled entire city blocks.
Instead, she navigated through the shattered husks of noble estates and collapsed market stalls.
Lucifer and Elara followed closely. The Warlord's dark armor absorbed the ambient gray light, making him nearly invisible in the gloom.
The Twilight Sovereign kept her violet-flaming spear lowered and her golden eyes pierced the thick fog.
"The ambient corruption is thickening," Elara whispered and stepped over a puddle of glowing green slag. "The Abyss isn't just occupying the city. It is terraforming it."
"It's trying to," Lucifer corrected her smoothly. "But it hasn't established a permanent anchor yet. The World-Eater is dead, and the Vanguard is scattered. This is residual rot."
