Hardly had the dust fallen in the Black Citadel courtyard. Amid the rubble stood Gabriel, Ethan, Lydia, and Amarus, their features stern and resolved. Though their failure was obvious, they realized they had to persevere.
Despite the agony inside of him, Gabriel spoke first, his voice steady. "We have to reassemble and devise a fresh approach. Too strong a relic for the Order of Shadows to handle."
Set jaw, Ethan nodded. Recepted. They cannot use it to demolish all we have worked so hard to preserve."
Grief and resolution mixed in Lydia's gaze. And somehow we have to get Ava back. She gave up all for us.
Looking about the damaged courtyard, Amarus had a serious look on his face. "We are pressed for time. We have to get moving before they can combine their strength."
A personage, nearl
