"Huff... Huff..."
Thalia's chest rose heavily as the inferno pouring from her mouth finally ceased. The blazing stream of phoenix fire faded into smoke and molten embers, leaving behind scorched metallic corpses twisted beyond recognition.
Steel dripped across the shattered ground like burning wax. Entire armoured bodies had melted together into grotesque lumps of glowing alloy, sparks still crackling from exposed inner circuits.
The smell of burnt metal mixed with roasted flesh spread through the battlefield.
Whatever remained inside those suits no longer resembled living beings.
Golden-red flames reflected within Thalia's narrowed crimson eyes while smoke escaped slowly from between her fangs.
Her gaze swept across the ruins before settling on the surviving soldiers of the Aurora Empire. Most stood covered in blood and soot, weapons trembling slightly from exhaustion, yet not a single one lowered their guard.
Thalia turned fully toward them.
"How many?"
