Kora reactivated slowly.
Its systems had been scattered across hardcode backups buried beneath the old civic vault.
But now, it returned.
With it came a reward.
Protocol AUR-REZ ActiveReward Granted: Phase II Structure Module – "Seed Tower"
Function: Rapid-deploy infrastructure based on existing civic model.
Hidden Feature: Adaptive signal shield capable of masking from Sith-level scanners.*
Mira studied it.
"This… we can build again."
Toren's voice was hoarse.
"We never stopped."
Within days, engineers began work.
Not above.
Below.
Aurex's second incarnation would not be visible from orbit.
The Seed Tower's heart pulsed with clean, force-reactive energy—capable of linking itself to any planet-wide structure in moments.
This new Aurex would live inside the world.
Tarn called it "the Buried Crown."
And Toren approved.
Because empires looked for flames.
Not roots.
At the final council before surface retreat, Mira stood at the head of the hollowed room.
"This is no longer the Aurex they attacked."
She looked at each of them—those who survived, those who stayed.
"This is something else."
Linae asked, "What do we call it?"
Toren spoke, slowly:
"Call it… Cindar."
Mira's eyes met his.
"The city beneath the ash."
Back on Coruscant, Arven watched the data returns stop.
No transmissions.
No Aurex energy readings.
Just… silence.
Again.
Only this time—
He didn't smile.
Because silence no longer meant death.
It meant someone was waiting.