Into the Obsidian Desert

Eztein and Vashno sat inside a rundown house, gazing out the window. They saw countless houses and buildings reduced to rubble, debris scattered across the streets, and the once-magnificent castle at the center now in ruins.

This was the capital of the Palleo Kingdom.

"The Palleo Kingdom has fallen..." Vashno muttered.

"I didn't expect this. I was here before, but now..." Franklin trailed off, turning his attention to the map on the table. After a brief pause, he continued, "We can't find the royal family... We haven't confirmed whether they're dead or alive."

"What do you think are their chances of survival?"

"Probably slim. If they had managed to survive, they would have sought help from us, but we haven't heard anything. The enemy is strong, and the fall of the Palleo Kingdom is the greatest proof of that," Franklin said.

"What do you mean?"