Chapter 41: Act III: Make love, not war | The aftermath, part 1

Alessia knew when to step away and merge with the shadows. She knew this time was now even before Ginevra's body fell to the ground.

So when it did, Alessia's spell was already complete. Dark purple smoke poured out of her palms—unreal, but still completely opaque to the light. It spread in a line, following Alessia's will, blocking the line of sight between Nuvoloso's and Oliveira's troops.

"Soldiers! Do not panic! We shall retreat together! Take those who can't walk—leave no one behind!" she shouted, doing her best to save those who still could be saved.

Too few for her liking. Too few…

Only a half of Ginevra's original troops, in Alessia's estimate, still were in condition to walk; from those, about a half heard and listened to Alessia's call.