Ares

The dawn was gray, but the air smelled electric. The city hummed, unaware of the storm that had raged through the docks just hours before. I sat in the war room, watching satellite feeds and live updates from Vanguard’s inner circle. Gideon, Evelyn, and Camilla were shaken, but not defeated.

Leon tapped his tablet. “Sir… they’re regrouping. Camilla has hired additional mercenaries. Gideon is reaching out to international contacts. Evelyn is coordinating new attacks on ...