The capital was already screaming when we rode through the gates.
Smoke rose from the outer districts in thick black columns. Bells rang without stopping. People ran through the streets with children clutched in their arms and whatever they could carry. I kept close to Kairos as we pushed through the chaos toward the main wall. His face was set like stone but his hand stayed locked around mine until we reached the base of the stairs.
A captain met us there, face streaked with dirt and blood, breathing hard.
“My emperor, they hit the eastern section first. The creatures are climbing the walls. We are losing men too fast.”
Kairos’s voice came out hard and flat. “How many breaches?”
“Two small ones so far. We sealed them but more are coming. The main force is still approaching from the w
