The Crimson Dawn Raid

The boy—what was once a boy—let out a low groan. His eyes were pale and lifeless, his jaw twitching as he crawled forward on broken limbs. The father beside him followed, blood still dripping from his face. Neither of them screamed anymore. They didn't need to.

The faithful stepped back and made room, bowing their heads as the newly risen were led away by the Wakers. No tears. No hesitation. This was not death to them. It was deliverance.

High Father Elias turned to face his people once more.

"Tonight, the flame burns bright," he declared. "But tomorrow… it shall spread."

He raised his rusted staff and pointed toward the far end of the cathedral, where a map had been nailed to the wall. A circle had been drawn in red—marking a small survivor settlement roughly fifteen kilometers east.

Barangay Luntian.