The silence in the war room was broken by a single, urgent knock.
Marcus looked up from the maps, his eyes tired, his mind still reeling from the battle against the Prime Architect. The dark energy was quiet, but the weight of its presence lingered, a constant reminder that the war was far from over.
"Enter," he said, his voice hoarse.
The door swung open, and a young woman stepped inside. She was small, her face pale with exhaustion, her clothes torn and dirty. She looked like she'd been traveling for days, her eyes haunted by something she'd seen.
"Marcus Cole?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I need to speak with you. It's urgent."
Marcus stood, his hand moving instinctively to his weapon. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
The woman stepped forward, her hands raised in surr
