The canyon winds howled.
Not with cold—but with weight. History. Violence. Secrets long buried in blackened soil.
Rivan stood at the southern rim of the battlefield-to-be, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The war camp buzzed behind him — training drills, weapon sharpening, scouts filing in and out with updated terrain maps. Everyone prepared.
Everyone except him.
He was waiting.
[System Update: Strategic Support Unit Missing – Final Allied Faction Pending]
[Time Remaining Until Awakening: 67:01:52]
Selina stepped up beside him, her hair pulled back, her weapons glowing faintly with sealed sigils.
"They're late."
"They're deciding," Rivan said. "They don't pledge easily."
Kael approached from the high ridge. "Camp morale is holding. Barely. Your name's holding it together."
Rivan didn't respond.
Because they weren't ready.
Not without the Obsidian Guard.
