Chapter 75: Next Steps

Chapter 75: Next Steps

Silvia's POV

The warmth of the morning sun streamed through the council hall's windows, casting long golden beams across the polished wood floors. Silvia sat at the head of the large circular table, fingers tapping absently against the armrest of her chair as she listened to the latest reports.

The city was growing. More refugees were arriving each day, some seeking shelter, others offering skills and supplies to aid the rebuilding effort. With Titan's rule shattered, pockets of survivors still clung to the old ways, resisting change. Their patrols had intercepted a band of Titan loyalists trying to stir unrest in the western outskirts just the day before.

Tarren dropped a handful of parchment onto the table. "Scouts confirmed another group moving in from the northeast. They've taken over an abandoned supply post, and they're arming themselves."

Garrik frowned. "We should crush them before they get too bold. We can't afford to let them grow into a real threat."

Silvia sighed. "I don't want another war before we even have a functioning government in place. Can we negotiate first? See if they'll surrender?"

Tarren leaned back, crossing her arms. "We can try, but these aren't deserters looking for peace. They're fanatics. If they think Titan can rise again, they'll fight."

Dragon, who had been unusually quiet, smirked and stretched his arms behind his head. "Then let's make them understand that the old world is gone. Permanently."

Silvia glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "We'll send an envoy first, but if they won't listen... we act."

A Growing City

After the meeting, Silvia walked through the bustling streets of the city. The scent of fresh bread and roasted meat drifted through the air as merchants called out their goods. Stonemasons worked on fortifying the walls, and engineers designed water systems to provide clean drinking water to the outer districts. Blacksmiths hammered away at reforged steel, crafting weapons not for conquest, but for defense.

A former Titan barracks had been repurposed into a training ground for new city guards, who drilled with precision under the watchful eye of veteran fighters. The sight filled Silvia with a sense of both pride and relief—people were finally learning to protect themselves.

She stopped at the edge of the market square, watching a group of children chasing each other around the remnants of an old statue. It had once been a symbol of Titan's rule, but now it lay in pieces, its remains used as seating for weary travelers. A potter nearby sold beautifully crafted clay bowls, their patterns inspired by the old world, but adapted for the new era they were building.

Dragon appeared beside her, handing her a small piece of fruit. "You've got that look again."

Silvia took a bite, the sweetness bursting on her tongue. "What look?"

"The one where you're carrying the entire city's problems on your shoulders."

She sighed. "Because I am."

Dragon chuckled. "And yet, it's working. People are laughing. Living. That's because of you."

She exhaled, some of the tension in her body easing. "Because of all of us."

He grinned. "I'm taking partial credit, but sure, let's be humble about it."

An Unexpected Visitor

As they made their way back toward the council hall, a scout rushed toward them, breathless. "Commander Earthstar, we have a visitor. Says she's from the western settlement. She claims to have important news."

Silvia exchanged a glance with Dragon before nodding. "Bring her in."

Inside the hall, a young woman stood nervously, her hands clasped together. Her clothes were dusty, and her face bore the signs of a long journey.

"I'm Elara," she said, bowing slightly. "I bring word from the west. A new force is rising. Not Titan, but something worse."

Silvia's stomach clenched. "Explain."

Elara swallowed. "They call themselves the Remnants. They aren't just Titan loyalists. They're something else. They've gathered deserters, mercenaries, and scavengers. They're organizing. And they have weapons. A lot of them."

The room fell into silence.

Garrik crossed his arms. "How do we know you're telling the truth?"

Elara pulled out a torn Titan banner, now marked with strange sigils in dark ink. "They don't serve Titan's ideology anymore. They want more than control—they want complete destruction. They see your new city as a threat to their rule of chaos."

Dragon sighed. "Well, that's just fantastic."

Silvia straightened, her mind already calculating their next move. "Then we prepare. We won't let history repeat itself."

Plans for the Future

Silvia met with her advisors late into the evening, formulating a response. If the Remnants were more than simple Titan loyalists, they needed to be dealt with carefully. Military force was an option, but intelligence would be their strongest weapon.

"We need to send spies into their ranks," Tarren suggested, spreading out a crude map of their known locations. "Figure out who their leader is, what their endgame is. If they want destruction, we need to know how they plan to achieve it."

Garrik grumbled. "Spying takes time. We might not have that luxury."

Silvia rubbed her temples. "Then we'll do both. We send a small team to gather information while preparing the city's defenses. I want all settlements on alert."

Dragon leaned forward. "You realize you're already leading like a queen, right?"

She rolled her eyes. "Then it's a good thing I have a court."

He grinned. "Just make sure there's room for one mischievous consort."

She smirked, then turned serious. "We don't get another chance at this. If they want war, we'll give them a fight they'll never forget."

The Night Before the Decision

That night, Silvia stood on the city's outer walls, looking out into the darkness beyond the torches. The world was vast and still dangerous. Somewhere in the shadows, the Remnants were planning their next move.

Dragon found her, slipping a warm cloak over her shoulders. "You should get some rest."

She shook her head. "Not yet. Too much to think about."

He leaned against the wall beside her. "You're doing good, Silvia. Better than anyone else could."

She turned to him, eyes soft. "It doesn't always feel like enough."

Dragon reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It is. And you're not doing it alone."

She sighed, then leaned against him just for a moment. The battle wasn't over, but tonight, she allowed herself a brief moment of peace.

Tomorrow, the real fight would begin.