The moment the crushing pressure weighing down on the city finally lessened, countless people collapsed in relief. Many instinctively gasped for air. Others clutched their chests as though they had narrowly escaped drowning.
Children who had been crying moments earlier broke down completely, throwing themselves into the arms of their parents or the closest person they could find. Many simply sat or lay on the ground, their minds still unable to process what had just happened.
Relief swept across Brightgate City.
But almost as quickly, that relief gave way to sorrow.
Tears began appearing throughout the city. Some cried after realizing they were still alive. Others cried because the person standing beside them only moments ago no longer was.
Emergency sirens echoed continuously through the streets. Collapsed buildings had buried countless people beneath concrete and twisted steel. Smoke rose from several districts where the waves of scorching heat had ignited fires.
