Aiden shook his head. "We barely made it out alive. Whatever Malakar throws at us now will make the Forge's defenses look like a warm-up. We need more than just brute force—we need allies, resources, and intel."
Dren nodded in agreement. "Aiden's right. If Malakar's forces consolidate, we won't survive the next wave without reinforcements."
Nexus crossed his arms, his expression grim. "I've already begun reaching out to other factions. There's one group in particular that could tip the scales: the Celestial Vanguard."
The Celestial Vanguard
The room went silent. Even Myne, usually brash and confident, raised an eyebrow at the mention of the Vanguard. They were a legendary faction, known for their unparalleled mastery of energy manipulation and their ability to harness celestial forces. But they were also fiercely independent, rarely involving themselves in conflicts outside their own domain.
