Chapter 142

• As I stood outside, the unsettling silence enveloped me, punctuated only by distant voices and the faintest sounds that almost resembled furniture being moved within the building. The absence of gunfire was alarming, but the atmosphere weighed heavily with the remnants of chaos. I couldn't shake the feeling that this scenario epitomized the essence of a true battlefield. The sight before me churned my stomach; I averted my gaze from the lifeless bodies that glared back at me with vacant stares, even as I fought against the urge to look away. I knew I had to scan the scene for any familiar faces, even though I dreaded the possibility of discovering those I hoped to never find among the fallen.
• When I finally located the hauntingly familiar gaze of Alice Cain, my heart twisted painfully. It was evident she had endured unimaginable torment—three gunshot wounds marred her body, alongside cuts that traced their way across her arms and face. I could see that she had fought fiercely for her life. In that moment, I sent a silent plea to the goddess I held dear, asking her to honor Alice's remarkable bravery and the righteousness of her heart. Alice had been one of her most devoted followers, and I silently expressed my gratitude for everything she had done. "May your soul be worthy to Ascend," I whispered, reciting the traditional farewell meant for a fallen shifter. Though this phrase was often shared with friends who had departed, I desperately meant it as I bowed my head in respect over Alice's lifeless form.
• As I reluctantly turned my attention back to the grim task at hand, I continued my search through the sea of faces that lay motionless around me. Gradually, I approached the entrance of the courtroom, where sounds resonated from within. The noises were markedly different than those I had just experienced outside, hinting that the fierce fighting might have ceased, possibly indicating that one side had gained the upper hand. With a mixture of trepidation and urgency, I sought to discern the body count and identify the voices that echoed through the threshold, each clue allowing me to piece together the fractured puzzle of who might have prevailed.