The return to the Conflux Tower was a blur of exhaustion and grim determination. Jaden's body ached, his head throbbed with the residual pain of the Epoch Loom's power drain, and his system interface still flickered with critical warnings. Yet, as he stepped out of the transport, the colossal structure of the Conflux, still incomplete but now a symbol of both hope and defiance, filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. He had faced the Architects' direct assault at the Hydro-Dam and had not yielded. That victory, however costly, fueled his resolve.
Kaela Rho, her face smudged with dust but her eyes sharp, immediately took command of the security detail, ensuring Jaden was escorted swiftly and securely into the heart of the tower. "Report from Sector Nine indicates the dam is stable, Jaden," she stated, her voice calm amidst the urgent activity. "Emergency repair teams are assessing the damage. It's extensive, but contained. You bought us time."
