The city was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Ash fell like gray snow through the ruins of what used to be the Central District. The Tower’s remains jutted into the sky like broken bones — smoke curling from its hollow ribs. The storm had passed, leaving behind only silence and ghosts.
Leon walked through the debris, his boots crunching over glass and burnt steel. His coat was torn, his ribs wrapped in bandages, his left arm trembling with every movement.
[Health: 63%. System Integrity: Unstable.]
[Warning: Apex Residual Energy Detected — 8.3%.]
He ignored the alerts.
Behind him, Nova followed in silence. Her face was streaked with dirt and exhaustion, but her eyes never left him.
They passed what used to be the plaza — now just a crater of twisted metal. Bodies lay scattered everywhere, bo
