the field was silent, soot and ash drifting over the ground as the wind swept through. elijah opened his eyes slowly, his ears ringing.

everyone was on the ground. the ground at the center of the field was ruined, charred through with a massive crater. no one was there. he could only assume they’d all been turned to dust.

outside of that main wasteland was a ring of soldiers that had been all looked to be half-incinerated. the black soil was dark and wet with crimson accents. part of his own hand was already blistering with severe burns, the bones of his knuckles partially visible under the painfully red muscle.

he felt warmth soaking his hair, the boulder by his head splattered with fresh blood. there was a piece of shrapnel lodged in his thigh. elijah groaned in pain as he sat up, shakily ripping it out of his flesh. blood bubbled from the wound.

elijah coughed as he inhaled smoke, pulling his shirt up to cover his mouth and nose. he was slowly getting his bearings. he could see a few of the other soldiers starting to rouse, as well. he recognized general blanchet as he helped up one of the lieutenants. he winced as he moved. his thoughts were being drowned out by the pain.