"Sorry, Madam Verena, but Efion didn't make it. His patrol team got swarmed by the monsters, and he ended up lost in the attack."
Verena's face crumpled in anguish. A soul-piercing cry escaped her lips, a raw, haunting sound that seemed to carry the weight of her world.
The surrounding crowd erupted in fearful murmurs, their expressions etched with dread.
Atelion raised a hand, silencing the growing clamor.
"Everyone, listen. The monsters are coming. The first batches will be here in a week or so and we must prepare. Gather your families and return to your homes, and please answer the call when we will make it."
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, with people shouting and pushing as they scrambled to follow the guard's orders.
Sebastian watched, feeling a sense of unease as the city descended into chaos.