The Council Hall of New Asemeri stood high above the lower districts, an imposing structure of reinforced metal and stone, its holographic banners shimmering in the dim underground light. Within its sterile halls, the voices of the city's ruling elite rose in a chorus of fear and self-preservation, echoing off the curved walls of the chamber.
At the center of the circular council room, Governor Rasnar sat upon his high seat, his fingers clasped tightly together. His expression was drawn, weary, the deep creases on his forehead betraying the burden he carried. But it was not the burden of war or duty—it was the burden of fear.
Before him, an emergency transmission played on a hovering holo-screen, displaying the aftermath of Chieftain Va'katl's victory at Boulderkeep. The charred remains of Ixtielan hovercrafts, the bodies of fallen raiders, and the unmoving form of Asemeri warriors standing resolute against the night.
The battle had been won.
And yet, no relief passed over Rasnar's face.
Instead, his grip on his chair tightened. To him, this was not a triumph. It was a provocation.
The Council's Decision
The council members—New Asemeri's wealthiest and most powerful elites—spoke in hushed urgency, their voices a flurry of concerns, none of which involved aiding Va'katl.
"This is reckless," said Councilor Varos, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. "Va'katl's defiance only draws the eye of Cosmus closer to us. If the Defiance Vanguard turns its weapons upon New Asemeri, who will protect us then?"
"We should have distanced ourselves from him long ago," muttered Councilor Jirath, adjusting the folds of his ornate robes. "We are not his army, nor his kingdom. Va'katl fights a war he cannot win. His victories are illusions, delaying the inevitable."
"This is precisely why we must act now," said Councilor Veya, one of the few among them who did not completely cower at the thought of Cosmus. "If Va'katl holds Boulderkeep, we have a chance to fortify the front lines—"
"And make ourselves targets?" Jirath scoffed. "We must defend our own, not play hero to a lost war!"
A murmur of agreement rippled through the chamber.
Then, the moment they had all been waiting for.
Governor Rasnar exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples before raising his hand for silence.
"We will not send aid to Boulderkeep," he said, his voice firm despite the wavering in his eyes.
A moment passed.
Veya narrowed her gaze. "You're abandoning him?"
"We are ensuring the survival of New Asemeri," Rasnar replied. "Va'katl's war will lead to nothing but destruction. If Cosmus sees us as an enemy, there will be no future for this city-state. The Defiance Vanguard is the most powerful warship in existence—we cannot risk drawing its fire upon our walls."
Silence.
Then, Councilor Varos leaned forward. "Then I assume we move forward with the barrier?"
Rasnar nodded. "Yes. Immediately."
A series of holo-projectors lit up in the center of the chamber, displaying the schematics for an immense energy barrier—a dome of impenetrable defense that would shield New Asemeri from all external threats.
"Within weeks, the energy barrier will be activated," Rasnar continued. "New Asemeri will be untouchable."
Councilor Jirath sighed in relief. "Finally, some sense."
Councilor Veya shook her head. "You mean we will be prisoners."
"A protected people," Jirath corrected. "Would you rather we die at Cosmus' hands?"
"No," Veya whispered. "I would rather we had the courage to fight."
Rasnar pretended not to hear her.
The decision was made.
The Velik'Ashar React
While the council chamber celebrated their "wise decision," not all of New Asemeri's defenders agreed.
In the barracks of the Velik'Ashar, the city's elite military force, whispers spread like fire through the ranks.
"We let Va'katl fight alone, while we hide behind walls?" "We should be out there, meeting the enemy in the fields." "Governor Rasnar has no warrior's heart. This city was not built to cower."
One of the Velik'Khan (War Captains), a hardened soldier named Commander Tovarek, watched as his soldiers spoke among themselves, their loyalty to New Asemeri shaken.
He had served under Va'katl once, years ago. And now, he was expected to turn his back on him.
He stood, his voice carrying through the barracks.
"We are Velik'Ashar," he said. "We do not defy orders. We serve the city."
Some nodded. Others did not.
A younger soldier, a Shieldbearer named Kareth, clenched his fists. "And if the city has chosen to abandon our kin?"
Tovarek had no answer.
Above them, the construction of the energy barrier had already begun.
Tlandar Learns the Truth
Elsewhere, deep in the lower districts of New Asemeri, Tlandar sat among a gathering of refugees, listening as they whispered of the council's decision.
"No aid will be sent," one of them muttered.
"They would rather hide behind a shield than lift a sword."
Tlandar said nothing, his fists tightening at his sides.
Va'katl had fought for them, for all of Val'katl.
And New Asemeri had turned its back on him.
Saryna, sitting beside him, watched his expression carefully. "You're thinking too much again."
Tlandar exhaled slowly. "They should have sent help."
Saryna shrugged. "The council's always been like this. Protect themselves first. Never mind the rest of the world."
A long pause.
Then Tlandar stood.
"This isn't right."
Saryna sighed. "Nothing ever is."
She saw something in his eyes then—a decision being made, even if he didn't realize it yet.
"You thinking about doing something stupid?" she asked.
Tlandar's answer came without hesitation.
"If no one else will stand with Va'katl," he said, "then I will."