Jhon's moves against the Shadow had been strategic but subtle, allowing him to remain somewhat under their radar. However, with each setback he imposed upon them, the tension in the Alliance grew, as whispers of his defiance began to ripple through the ranks. As Jhon continued to gather allies, he also knew it wouldn't be long before the Shadow made a decisive move.
The Council's Meeting
A few days after his latest disruption of the Shadow's operations, Jhon received a summons to an Alliance Council meeting. The Council, consisting of the most influential members within the Apex Alliance, rarely convened, and the urgency in the invitation was clear.
In the Council's grand hall, under vaulted ceilings and marble statues of past titans, Jhon took his place, observing the others as they filtered in. Many avoided his gaze, but a few, notably Eleanor and Ayden, gave him slight nods of encouragement.
