The Dark Radiance

After another year of gruesome battles, Adam stepped through the fourth layer's city. The icy wind battered his bare torso as his eyes narrowed on the ruins.

Most buildings looked like warehouses rather than habitations. Round ovens filled the streets as though the few souls who had lived here desperately fed someone or... something.

Drawn by the dark fire burning atop a tower, he pushed amidst the devastation before his brow creased.

Not a single speck of dust tarnished the white stones. No rot was visible either, and the tower looked brand new. How?

He inhaled the rare fresh air and pushed the doors open. A burning sensation struck him immediately, like a tongue licking his skin, followed by the sharp threat of gnawing teeth.

Warily, he scanned the place, his confusion deepening. Not a soul moved in the silent streets, and the sky was empty. The only sound that broke the silence was... the crackling dark fire.