The Sanctum Zero cut through the night sky like a blade of shadow. Its cloak shimmered once, then peeled back, revealing the massive black hull hanging over the city like a storm cloud.
Below, the Thorne Estate lit up instantly. Floodlights snapped awake. Wards etched into stone walls flared gold and red. Towers rotated as heavy cannons locked on, all engines of war now groaning alive. Alarms howled across the grounds—shrill, unending, like the sound of metal grinding bone.
Inside the bridge, none of Class Zero spoke. The whole estate looked like it was preparing for a siege.
Vyn finally broke the silence. She turned her black eyes toward Lucian. "This is what you wanted."
Lucian didn't blink. His gaze stayed fixed on the storm of lights below. His voice was flat, cold, steady.
"Yes."
The ship doors unlatched with a hiss. Lucian walked to the edge, shadow trailing behind him, and stepped into the night without hesitation.
