The first light of dawn cast long shadows across the shattered rooftops as Leon and Nora led a mounted escort beyond the northern aqueduct, toward the ancient ruins of the Temple of Echoes. The warlord fleets had retreated at dawn's glare, but one last conspirator remained: Commander Hask, Vorn's former lieutenant, had rallied border mercenaries in the old temple grounds—poised to strike the heart of the capital.
“We ride while the city rebuilds," Leon said, cloak billowing. “This ends now."
Nora rode beside him, the Canglan sigil glinting on her breastplate. “We must move swiftly and quietly. Hask trusts only his mechanized vanguard." She tapped her dagger hilt. “My strike team will flank through the southern sally-port. Elsa's militia holds the outer gate."
Leon nodded. “And the main
