A Worrisome Invitation

To say that Zane was bewildered when the emissary from Elysium reached his door, inviting him to visit the largest human settlement west of the Rockies, would be an understatement. This time around, Valeria had ensured not to antagonize Zane, who she recognized during their initial encounter to be a deeply paranoid man.

Displays of force in his own backyard were not welcome, and the last time she tried this, he had exacted a major toll on her in recompense. And since this was the case, she sent a small party of six awakened survivors, who were among her most fearsome and loyal cultists, to give the man the message.

The letter of invitation was not written on any ordinary paper. Rather, it was inscribed on cardstock with golden filigree. As if to show off just how capable Elysium was in terms of production. Zane, of course, had no idea that this letter of invitation was crafted by Lilith as a means to conspire against him.