The fires burned long into the night.
Even after the flames had been extinguished, the smell lingered throughout the eastern district.
Burnt wood.
Ash.
Smoke.
Death.
Kai stood beside the remains of a collapsed warehouse as workers and soldiers cleared debris from the street. The attack had happened hours ago, yet the city remained awake.
Nobody was resting.
Nobody was celebrating.
Everyone was waiting for the next disaster.
---
Beside him, Andre kicked a broken crate.
"What a waste."
Kai glanced at him.
"You suddenly care about warehouses?"
"No."
Andre pointed at a pile of ruined food supplies.
"I care about food."
Kai sighed.
"Of course you do."
A soldier approached and saluted.
"His Majesty requests your presence."
Andre stuffed an apple he found into his pocket.
"See? People like me."
The soldier didn't respond.
The three walked through the busy streets of Yggdrasil.
Even at night the city remained alive.
---
Messengers ran between districts.
Guards hurried toward their assignments.
Citizens whispered among themselves.
Rumors had already spread.
Monster attacks.
Demons.
Cultists.
Sabotage.
Every person seemed to have a different version of the truth.
Eventually they arrived at a temporary command post established near the damaged district.
Akshay stood over a large table covered in maps.
Dozens of reports were scattered around him.
Several officers discussed strategy nearby.
The king looked like he hadn't slept.
Again.
"You two are late."
Andre immediately grabbed another apple from the table.
"We're not employed by you."
Akshay stared at him.
"One day."
"What?"
"One day I'm going to throw you off this mountain."