The night's chaos slowly faded into the hush of dawn. Ash and smoke lingered in the air, but the shouting had quieted.
The Lumious settlement stood battered, yet strangely lighter, as though the chains weighing on everyone's shoulders had finally snapped.
When the torches dimmed and the soldiers reassembled, Lucian stepped out to meet them.
His companions stood at his back, though he allowed them to remain in the background. This moment wasn't his to take.
The secretary—no longer trembling, no longer shrinking into the corners—stood before the gathered men.
His voice carried a rough edge of inexperience, but the soldiers listened. They weren't just obeying; they were hoping.
When Lucian appeared, all heads turned. The new leader dipped into a deep bow, surprising even himself.
"Lord Lucian, I must apologize. You came here expecting to trade, and instead, you saw the ugliest parts of us. The failures of our leadership… of me, too."
He said, his voice raw but steady.
