The message arrived at dawn, carried by a raven with eyes that glowed like embers.
Alex was in the command center, studying the ancient texts with Sebastian, when the bird landed on the windowsill. It cawed three times, then dropped a scroll sealed with the Council's mark.
Sebastian unrolled the scroll and read it. His face went pale.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"The Council. They're summoning you. Immediately." Sebastian's voice was tight. "They say it's urgent. They say the Old Guard has made their move."
Alex felt a chill run down his spine. "The Old Guard? They've already started?"
Sebastian shook his head. "They don't say. But they want you at the fortress by nightfall."
Alex nodded slowly. "Then we go."
The journey to the Council's fortress took the entire day. The terrain was
