The castle buzzed with subdued energy as the morning light spilled through the high windows of the war chamber. The recent victory against the Syndicate had given Kade and his allies a moment of respite, but the tension in the air remained palpable. Every victory, no matter how decisive, seemed to pull them deeper into a labyrinth of uncertainty.
Kade sat at the head of the table, his fingers drumming against the polished wood. The war chamber was empty save for Vask, who stood at his side, his crimson eyes scanning a freshly delivered report.
'Another outpost eliminated,'
Vask said, his tone calm.
'But the Syndicate continues to operate deeper in the western territories. Their reach is extensive, even by Verath's standards.'
Kade sighed, leaning back in his chair.
'We just can't catch a break, can we?'
'This is the nature of war, my lord,'
Vask replied.
'Every battle won reveals new fronts to defend.'
