The central plaza was already being cleared when Alexander arrived with Olivia and a small security team. Workers moved barriers into place. East Horizon banners hung from the surrounding buildings. A raised platform stood in the middle of the open square.
Olivia checked the perimeter. "Our people control every entrance. No Alliance uniforms inside the plaza. If they want to watch, they can do it from the outer streets."
Alexander looked at the empty space. "How many civilians are we expecting?"
"At least twenty thousand if the weather holds," Olivia answered. "Word spread faster than we planned. Refugee groups are coming from three different districts."
Vanya walked up from the far side, cigar between her fingers. "I just came from the southern belt. Two factory owners agreed to stay quiet. One of them tried to play both sides. I made sure he understands that won't work."
Alexander glanced at her. "Any trouble?"
"Nothing worth reporting," Vanya said. "They talk tough until they realize their next shipment depends on us."
Tianya arrived a moment later, accompanied by two East Horizon escorts. She wore a simpler white dress this time, though the quiet pressure of her presence still made nearby workers step aside without thinking.
Alexander turned to her. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"I am," Tianya replied. "I will not create a giant form again. A closer display will be enough. The people need to feel the flux, not just see it from a distance."
Olivia stepped closer. "We've prepared a short sequence. You appear, speak briefly, and release a controlled wave of god flux across the plaza. Strong enough for everyone to sense it, but not enough to cause panic."
Tianya gave a small nod. "That will be sufficient."
A young officer approached quickly and held out a tablet. "Guild Master, urgent report. The Alliance council just passed a temporary restriction. Any public gathering involving 'unverified high-level entities' now requires their approval."
Alexander took the tablet, scanned the message, and handed it back. "They can write whatever they want. We're not asking for approval."
The officer hesitated. "They also moved additional hunters into the capital. Level forty to forty-five. Officially for 'crowd safety.'"
Vanya let out a short breath. "Crowd safety. That's one way to put it."
Alexander looked at the three women. "We continue as planned. If they try to block the plaza tomorrow, we turn it into proof that they're afraid of the people seeing the truth."
Olivia already began adjusting the security plan on her own tablet. "I'll double the inner perimeter. Our strongest available teams will stay in civilian clothes inside the crowd."
Tianya's gaze moved across the open square. "If they send hunters, I will handle them. Quietly. There is no need for another public spectacle unless they force one."
Alexander nodded. "Good. I want the focus on the civilians, not on a fight."
The group stood in the middle of the plaza as the last barriers were locked into place. Across the city, Alliance-backed channels had already started questioning the legality of the event. At the same time, independent channels kept replaying the earlier sky appearance and the growing number of eastern survivors who publicly supported Alexander.
Vanya crushed the end of her cigar under her boot. "Tomorrow will show who actually controls this city."
Alexander looked toward the far end of the plaza where people had already started gathering in small groups. "Tomorrow is only one step. We still have weeks before the vote. But if we win the plaza, the rest becomes easier."
No one argued. The final preparations continued under the fading afternoon light.