The familiar forsaken village had changed beyond his memories—the people who used to sing and dance were packing up, boarding their homes and sharpening weapons and tools.
It was a dreary and dark place with their eyes filled with black rings, and the former vibrance began to fade.
Alexander thought these people had survived many such apocalypses, yet, this time—it felt different. The huge crystal in the centre of the village was filled with huge cracks, now closed off by several well-armoured guards.
People shouted to get rid of their things and earn as much coin as possible before dashing into the church and other places to buy whatever they could.
"What's going on?" Alexander asked, seeing the horrible state where even the main part of the village seemed like a desolate slum.