Traveling to Warth Woodlands~

Stretching, Eve Furey watched the sun slowly rise, wondering how she had ended up unscathed in a destroyed town. The entire situation was more than odd, and she couldn't piece the puzzle together. Dragons... Cities destroyed... Dragons... She had heard whispers that other towns had been attacked, and that increased her heart rate tenfold. "If Hargeon's been hit..." Biting her lip, Eve picked up her walking pace and trudged onwards.

About a half an hour passed, and since the dirt had kicked up from the dusty road, Eve took to flying on her scythe, Vortex. The wind had a few tendrils of hair flapping about, inevitably flashing images in her mind of ashes and debris floating in the skies of Hosenka.

Did that really happen? It all seemed unreal - a dream - a nightmare. Shivering, Eve shook her head and focused on where she was going. No need to hit a tree, Eve! Still, guilt tugged at her heart. She had left Hosenka in ruin, not even bothering to help those in need. What kind of mage am I? Her violet eyes glazed over once more, this time because she began thinking about Lamia Scale once more. How she hadn't returned since she departed for the tourney. How everyone was waiting on her with smiles and alcohol.

But I let them down, Eve told herself, another shiver coursing through her. I didn't win the tourney - I left hundreds of people without homes or food or other necessities - I'm traveling ALONE and have maybe five jewel to my name... Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hammer upon nail. Looking up, Eve's eyes widened at the sight before her.

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Crumpled heaps of brick and wood were scattered in Eve's path as she slunk towards the remains of the once-brilliant city of Era. She could see tiny figures in the distance standing atop ladders and moving lumber to and fro. Stepping over a cement chunk, she slowly made her way towards a man directing others.

"You there! Quit dilly-dallying and bring that water the children at camp!" The man's face was stern - he looked like he could squish Eve with a clenched fist. Putting on her flawless poker face (what gambler could exist without one?), she approached the man and tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me," she began, looking up to catch his eyes. "I was wondering..."

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Rather than acknowledge the young woman, the man roughly shoved her aside and began his march towards the town.

"Sir!" Eve said forcefully, trailing behind him. It only took her a matter of seconds to catch up, when she normally wouldn't have even made it three feet without tripping. Eve didn't notice this minor change, however, and took to stepping in front of the man. "Excuse me, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would listen to what a lady has to say rather than briskly walk off. Quite rude."

The man's scowl was now directed at Eve, but he soon found himself intimidated by her stare. "'Scuse me," he muttered, his aged eyes flickering away from her face. "Whut yu need?"

Exhaling, Eve crossed her arms. "What happened here?" It was a ridiculous question, really. Eve already knew the answer, but the confirmation... That was what she needed. To hear that a magnificent, well-guarded place such as Era was ravaged by those vile creatures... That was what she sought. To think Hargeon could be in such a state...

She hadn't been listening to the man's babble, nor did she bother wishing him any type of farewell. Instead, she moved onwards - toward home.

Or, at least, what she thought was home.

Her eyes grazed the surface of everything as she passed, not leaving anything untouched. Broken glass littered the sidewalk, and its faint crunch under her shoes sent a tingle down her spine. The incessant drum of her heart filled her ears; the image or Era was an exact replica of Hosenka. Images flashed through her mind for the second time that day, and Eve had to physically shake her body to force them away. Not now, she told herself. I have to get home.

So on she went - one footstep at a time - her heart leading her home.

Or so she thought.

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