The mountain range stretched endlessly beneath a gray, war-heavy sky. Peaks overlapped like jagged teeth, their ridges cutting through drifting mist. Between them, military tents had been set up in careful formation, banners snapping in the wind as officers coordinated movements along the front.
Then a flare shot up from one section of the mountainside.
It burned bright red against the dim sky.
Inside the command tent, several officers looked up at once.
"That's from the scouting party."
Within moments, orders were barked and soldiers mobilized. A small unit advanced toward the flare's origin, weapons drawn, healers close behind.
---
A few hours later, the area had fallen into uneasy silence.
Bodies were laid out in rows. The injured were being treated near makeshift stretchers.
"What happened to the others?" the commanding officer asked sternly.
