Outside the castle, the sounds of buzzing machinery filled the air. Construction units, androids, moved across the fortified courtyard, carrying massive steel frames and rune-etched pylons. Smoke, steam, and faint light from hovering sigils could be seen all over the place in shifting hues of gold and blue.
In all the organized chaos, a man in a long black coat embroidered with silver ash-gear symbols knelt beside a glowing array etched into the ground. His dark hair was roughed up, his sharp blue eyes moved between lines of script and mechanical nodes that were giving off faint energy.
Quinton exhaled, watching his breath curl in the chill air. "Tch… why do I suddenly feel cold?" he muttered, rubbing his arms. "Someone must be talking about me."
Before he could smirk at his own joke, a cold voice suddenly spoke up.
"Human, eyes here."
