The strategy chamber remained silent after Evelyn's final words.
No one rushed to speak.
The leaders gathered around the circular table simply studied the enormous map before them, each lost in their own thoughts. The floating projection of the Null Realm slowly revolved above the carved Prime Territory, casting shifting shadows across every face in the room.
The atmosphere no longer resembled that of a gathering between allies. It had become what it was always meant to be, a war council.
"When I invited each of you to the Ironheart Settlement," she began, "I explained that our next objective would be the Twelfth Soul Current."
Several leaders gave small nods.
None of them appeared surprised.
