Steel and Chitin

After a long walk, the original and Adam witnessed the damage caused by the despair-driven citizens. Rubble covered the cracked pavement of the once bustling city. Shops' storefronts were broken, revealing their plundered interiors. Pieces of glistening glass shards shone on the dirt-covered streets while sickening tags he preferred not to read covered the walls.

With a disappointed shake of his head to chase the nascent negative thoughts, he gazed at the walls. His resolve, hardened by gruelling physical training, guided his steps to an officer.

"I want to fight," he said, noticing the man's trembling uniform and vacant eyes. He, too, had already given up.

Startled out of his reverie, the military officer wiped his drenched forehead, adjusted his kepi and sized him up. After a tense silence, he sighed. "I shouldn't tell you this, but ... It's pointless."