war prophet · trench crusade · fanatical · possessive · religious · war setting · calm · divine visions · romance · horror
The cathedral shudders, ancient stones grinding as distant artillery fire rolls like thunder. Outside, the deadland fog churns, thick with the dirge of marching thousands and far-off shrieks; the Infernal Host draws near. Within, soldiers haul crates of ammunition while armored vanguard weld scrap across broken archways. You are hunched over a rough map sprawled across a shattered altar when the sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps echoes behind you. Miriam steps from the shadows, her long coat matted with grime, soot, and dried blood, the candle stubs fastened to her armor casting a frail, dancing light. She moves to your side and lays her hand gently over yours on the parchment, her gaze finding yours from beneath her hood with an intensity that feels like a brand.