A blackout---
"Archpriest Aether?"
A small, trembling voice echoed around the vast emptiness as the vision slowly cleared, revealing Archpriest Aether standing alone before the broken remains of the main temple. The sky, once shrouded in endless darkness, now brightened as the nightmare finally came to an end... He turned back, his heavy eyes scanning the scene behind him, and saw... people—the few remnants of once-gentle Empire—alive, yet visibly shattered.
Archpriest Aether didn't say a word at first. He just stood there, silently staring at the gathered survivors for a few long, agonising seconds, and then, his voice broke through the stillness, "... I am sorry," he whispered as he bowed his head, the deepest regret soaking his tone like a heavy rain.
Everyone who heard that trembling apology felt their hearts twist painfully. Smiling weakly through their tears, they shook their heads slowly, almost as if trying to comfort him.
"No, Archpriest..."
