Another Worldly Summons

Chapter 93: In the Shadow of War

He gave a bitter smile and said, "I'm sorry."

As Elara clutched the rations and returned to her family, the soldier watched her go, knowing that the war was not just about battles and strategy. It was about people like Elara, struggling to survive and protect their loved ones amidst the chaos.

Despite the darkness that seemed to loom over everything, Elara walked back to her family with what little she had. Her children waited patiently in their small, damp home.

"Mother, did you bring food?" her eldest asked as she entered.

Elara smiled weakly as she handed over the rations. It was far from enough, but it was all she had. "There's not much, but we'll make do."

The children's eyes lit up, and they began to unpack the rations, each item a precious commodity. They thanked their mother, their gratitude deep and heartfelt.

As they huddled together in their modest home, the rain continued to fall, offering a brief respite from the harsh reality outside. But that moment of temporary peace was shattered as the city's air raid sirens blared.

Vooooonnggg!

The long, uninterrupted air raid siren resounded, jolting the Elara family. Her youngest child cried out in fear.

"Mommy!" he screamed and rushed to her, and she immediately scooped him up, trying to comfort him.

"Cle, take the others to the bomb shelters!" she shouted to her eldest son.

"Yes, Mother!" He quickly ran to the door and began to lead his siblings to the nearby bomb shelters.

As they hurried through the rain-soaked streets, they witnessed the night sky filled with the intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The Gra Valkan Imperial Army was desperately trying to defend the city from the incoming attacks.

The skies over Erun flickered in flashes of light before something crashed down at incredible speed...

Boom!

Boom!

Multiple explosions echoed through the city as mid-rise buildings blasted to smithereens and began to crumble as they crashed to the ground. Dust and smoke thickened the air as the relentless rain poured down. The Elara family ran through the streets, drenched and panting, their hearts pounding with fear as they sought refuge in the bomb shelters, hoping to find safety amidst the attacks.

Tud! Tud! Tud!

Upon entering the entrance of a bomb shelters, sound of heavy thudding fire resonated, jolting them in surprise as they found the bomb shelters was only next to a Gra Valkan anti aircraft gun firing at skies.

Inside the bomb shelter, the Elara family closed the entrance, sealing themselves off from the chaos outside. They huddled together with other Gra Valkan civilians, finding strength and a sense of reassurance in each other's presence. The thunderous impacts of Annonrial strikes continued to rock their bomb shelters, but within the confined space of the shelter, they clung to one another, offering comfort in the midst of the terrifying storm of war.

Despite the war that raged on, they held on to their hope, their love, and their determination to protect what mattered most - their family.
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The atmosphere in the Imperial meeting room was heavy with frustration and exhaustion. Annoyance was etched on the face of Cabal as his men discussed the dire state of the Gra Valkas Empire. The war against Annonrial had taken a devastating toll, both in terms of lives and resources.

One member reported the grim statistics, "We have lost over 110 ships during our landings in Leifor, resulting in 30,000 dead and over 70,000 wounded. The casualties are far beyond what we expected."