A young boy began to whimper and sob. The woman placed a gentle hand onto him and, stroking his cheek, lied to him that there was nothing to be afraid of. It was the only comfort she could offer.
Agonized screams and clashing metallic sounds echoed down the ancient tunnels. It wouldn"t be long. Many of the children were sobbing openly, staring with wide-eyed horror at the lights coming down the passageway towards them. Malleus, unable to watch any further, dispelled the images with a flick of his hand. It was easy, so very easy, to make it all go away. His gazed moved to nanosensors drifting high above the city, remote, no individuals in sight and no screams to be heard.
Beyond the city, the sands of the Golden Sea shimmered in the heat haze, dwarfing the great city with their endlessn
