As the sun set in the west, Malin strolled down the street, his eyes comparing the ancient map with the possible past of each building he saw, until Salis's call alerted him. Raising his head and turning his back to the sunset, Malin saw the towering memorial pillar standing among the ruins.
The stories of the past had long been obliterated by Chaos and time, leaving the long street filled with cracks where weeds grew, and even small, tenacious trees took root among them; the ruins had become unrecognizable as to what they once were.
As Malin drew closer, the memorial pillar became increasingly clear, its surface marked by time's tiny damages, eroded and mottled words and reliefs, and the steps piled high with heaps upon heaps of dog tags.
Malin felt his heart was about to stop, yet he still smiled as he took off his luggage from his back.
