The Exiled Legion's hideout buzzed with a newfound energy, a sense of purpose that had been absent for far too long. Cain's orders had been clear: capitalize on the chaos in Blackthorn, find Elena, and secure their dominance.
Nick stood apart from the rest, leaning against a stone wall with his arms crossed. His mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the night. The two siblings—Gerald and Mia—had been a stark reminder of the collateral damage that came with power struggles. He had saved them, yes, but for how long?
Blackthorn was a warzone, and innocent lives were being crushed under the weight of the chaos.
"You're brooding again," a voice said, pulling Nick from his thoughts. He looked up to see Archer approaching, his usual smirk plastered across his face. "What's eating you this time?"
Nick shrugged, his expression dark. "Just thinking about how many more kids are going to die out there while we sit here planning our next move."