Declaration of war

The night stretched on, cold and unrelenting. Lucius remained seated, unmoving, his golden eyes locked on the horizon. His mind was a storm of calculations, yet his body was as still as a statue.

Dawn broke.

Still, not one slave returned.

Lyxor, who had stayed awake most of the night, finally shifted uneasily. He turned to Lucius.

"What happens next?" His voice was quiet, uncertain.

Lucius exhaled through his nose, rising to his feet in a slow, deliberate motion. His expression was unreadable as he finally spoke.

"You stay here."

Before Lyxor could argue, Lucius' body warped.

In an instant, he vanished.

_______________________________________________________

Fort Aegis.

Lucius reappeared high above the military base, his brows knitting together as he took in the sight. A vast crimson-red negative-aether field enveloped the entire base.

Lucius' lips curled.