[Steve's PoV]
I stood at the edge of the ruined capital, far from where the palace once stood. Now, it was nothing but rubble and smoke rising into the sky.
"Fucking old bastards," I muttered under my breath. "Can't you see there are weaker people down here?"
BOOM!
Another explosion tore through the air. The sound rattled my bones as a shockwave rolled out like a living wall, devouring everything in its path.
"Brace for impact!" North shouted at my side.
I almost rolled my eyes. As if bracing would help. I could see death itself rushing toward me, a wave of raw force tearing through stone and flesh.
I stepped forward. My hand tightened on the hilt, and with one clean motion, I swung my sword.
The blade cut through the shockwave with a sharp, ringing sound. Essence surged out with the strike, splitting the force apart. The wave broke against me, split into harmless currents that curved around my body before vanishing into the streets around me.
