The dawn's light spilled into the war chamber, painting the stone walls with a faint golden hue. Kade sat at the head of the table, his mind buzzing with Selyna's report. Her words about the ritual and the summoning orb lingered like an unspoken threat, one that refused to dissipate.
"A message."
Kade thought.
"What kind of message needs blood and dark magic to deliver?"
He tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze distant as the room filled with his commanders. Thadric stomped in first, his massive frame nearly blotting out the light from the doorway. Elvara followed, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight. Rynor's calm presence was next, his ember-tipped staff faintly glowing. Vask entered last, his crimson eyes scanning the room with a calculated intensity.
Selyna was already seated, her posture straight despite the fatigue etched into her features. She had cleaned up, but the faint traces of her earlier ordeal clung to her like a shadow.
