"No word of the attack on the academy is to leave this room." A grizzled, long-bearded soldier, draped in the crisp insignia of a high-ranking officer, addressed the gathered troops with a voice like gravel over stone.
His piercing gray eyes swept across the group as if daring anyone to defy him. "To the public, this area was attacked by a rogue beast, a large one, which the military defeated decisively. That is the story, and we will ensure it remains that way."
The soldiers exchanged tense glances before nodding in unison, their movements sharp and disciplined. They saluted crisply and marched off, their boots echoing against the cracked pavement, their backs straight with manufactured pride.
