The Sound of Death

The helicopter's low roar cut through the night as it neared the ruined kingdom of Zyriel, its blades churning the ash-filled air. Below, on the south, in the narrow passage, survivors stumbled toward mountains, their shaky figures lit by the moon's pale glow. Sola, inside the cave, scanned the horizon, her heart pounding with excitement. Suddenly, she jumped, a joyful shout bursting from her throat.

"Luna! Luna! I see them, come quick!"

"Finally, it's about time," Luna said, standing up, her fingers gripping a cylindrical detonator, its red button glowing like a hot coal in the dark.

"Where are they? It's too dark, I can't see anything," she asked, squinting into the void.

"Here, take this. Keldo calls it 'night vision goggles,' " Sola replied, handing her the device with a smile. "It lets you see far, even in the dark." Luna put them on, the world turning a ghostly green, and scanned the bridge.