Star Gazing Settlement.
Founded upon the slope of an ordinary mountain, near the central regions of the Western region.
The Settlement was built from the base of up, reaching about midway up the mountain, surrounded by a vast forest that overlayed the lands.
It was the third hour of Falling Hour, when the stars were dim and shed a dull hue over the world.
Then, the Settlement was abruptly kicked into frenzy by a sudden attack.
Like a terrifying dragon's breath, a flood of crimson fire was cast over the sky. Falling, the flames met with fierce retaliation and scattered, but even the licks of flames ignited all they fell upon.
"What was that sound? The air—!"
"Look above, the sky is burning!"
"What is going on? All the buildings are catching on fire!"
"Help—!"
"..."
The people were sent in a frenzy; all sorts of panicked shouts resounded in the air.
Fire crackled yet no smoke rose, but a scent similar to ash and decay pervaded the air, carriaed by the wind; it assaulted one's nostrils.
Far above in the sky, a lone golden light clashed against the fiery torrents above.
Even through the chaos, two voices could be heard, shaking the lands and people below.
"I will have your Settlement burned to the ground! Your people will be stripped to their bones as my flames consume them all!"
"Demonic scoundrel! I'll have your head before you can take any more lives!"
All of what the people heard furthered their own panic.
Amidst the terrifying roars above and raging flames, another voice began to call to the nearby people.
A familiar voice of authority, yet like a gentle wind on the ears.
Yellow robes flail behind her running figure, as does her loose black hair.
Fair skin with striking, golden eyes, her presence alone seemed fierce and reliable.
In her hand is a peculiar weapon. A spear that had a total length of two meters, the main blade was curved and a flat 'lotus flower' sprouted from its base. The red tassel attached to that lotus waved like a war flag.
Just an instance after her appearance, everyone turned her way.
"Run towards the Western Gatehouse down the mountain!"
"Head down and avoid the fire!"
"Don't look up! Gather at the Western Gatehouse!"
Dawn shouted as she ran through the Settlement.
She gave out orders as she moved around, desperately trying to navigate these people and draw them out of their panic.
Dawn was at the highest point of the Settlement, gradually making her way down the slope.
Along the way, she encountered various Guards and Warriors of the Settlement.
"Spread throughout the Settlement and help as many people evacuate as you can!"
Although they were clearly fear-stricken, they listened to Dawn's commands and quickly spread outwards.
The higher areas of the Settlement were swallowed by an unstoppable flame; its crimson heat cast a malevolent hue down the slope.
Winds were kicked up, and threatened to blow the flames downwards.
The people had no idea what was attacking them, but it resembled nothing less than a natural disaster.
…
The wall of crimson reaches almost one hundred meters into the sky.
Having already swallowed over half the Settlement, if this 'wall' fell over, it would undoubtedly flood the rest of the Settlement.
Standing at the mountain's base, at the border of their Settlement, hundreds of people gathered.
They were being ushered out of the Western Gatehouse as orderly as possible.
'Where could they be…?'
Dividing her attention between the people and her personal worries, Dawn searched through the crowds of people.
Her eyes scanned hurriedly, unrelenting in their pursuit of finding something.
Closing her eyes, Dawn exhaled turbid air as she calmed herself.
'…'
'…'
'…'
Silence seemed to ensue in her mind as she stilled, pausing for a few breaths' time.
'There!'
"Remain here and continue to bring people out!"
Delegating her duties to the other guardsmen, Dawn ran off towards the central area of the Settlement.
Up the stone roads, she arrived at a residential district.
"You can't carry her like this. Just leave her behind!"
"It's fine! Just tie her to my back... or something!"
Welcoming her was the sight of a handful of fainted people.
A tall blonde man carrying a child in each arm, he was trying to carry an elderly woman on his back.
Next to him was an 'ordinary-looking' girl, a head shorter than Sun, who was trying to help settle the fainted elderly woman on Sun's back, to no avail.
"Dawn?"
Lightly surprised, Dawn raised a brow at Sun.
"Is there anyone else?"
"No. Just this family should be all, but can you check just to be sure?"
Dawn nodded and approached the elderly woman, picking her up in a bridal carry.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she paused before easing her expression.
"This district is clear. We'll head to the Western Gatehouse. Are you two unharmed?"
"Yeah. I'm doing fine."
"Same here... I'm glad you are here too, Dawn"
That last bit was spoken under Selene's breath as she sighed.
Assured of their well-beings, they hurriedly made their way down the Settlement.
Arriving, once again, at the Western Gatehouse, Dawn and Sun pass the others off to a few guards to handle.
"Sun?"
Without hesitation, the tall blonde was ready to head off before having his name called and sleeve snatched by Selene.
"What are you doing?"
"I need to search for anyone who may be struggling. We can't leave anyone behind!"
"There's no time for that. Those flames have already ravaged the majority of the Settlement, and it isn't slowing down. You've seen what it does, one lick of fire and it's over!"
Gritting his teeth, the blonde man, named Sun, grits his teeth as he turns around to rebuke.
"I think Selene is right, Sun..."
"What...?"
"I've searched through the lower districts, so I can confidently say that they are clear, but there is nothing to guarantee that you'll find people in the upper districts. With the crimson fire unrelenting, you might be risking your life to no avail."
"Dawn... Then... can't you join me? You should be able to find anyone who may be struggling!"
"That is true, but... we must leave. There isn't enough time to search the upper districts effectively, nor can we withhold the people for too long. They are already restless as is, adding 'stagnation' onto that will ruin the order I have so precariously set up."
Dawn's tone was firm but gentle, and her argument was sound and irrefutable.
Sun could only grit his teeth as he let go of his intentions.
"..."