The dawn light at the Silverfang Hold shimmered through moonstone inlays, painting the courtyard in pale silver. Zephyr Ardent stood before the Council's assembled lieutenants and Gray Court scribes, the primer scroll cradled in his arms like a newborn promise. Around him, the air thrummed with anticipation—this was the moment when healing research and blood-magic would flow back into the world.
Elara stepped forward, voice clear as crystal: "Today, we take the first step in distributing the Covenant's healing prototypes—under Court supervision—to clinics across Aurex Bay."
Rook and Corin stood at her sides, each holding a small crate of prototype vials: Vitae Stabilizer, Symbiotic Cell Matrix, and the apex Prototype Omega. Rennan and Jora flanked the group, rifles slung but at ease, guardians of this fragile dawn.
Zephyr inhaled, tasting promise on the breeze. "We must ensure these gifts never again become weapons," he said. "We establish the Bloodwolf Healing Accord: five clinics—Pack-led, Court-guarded, Covenant-funded—across the city."
A holographic map of Aurex Bay sprang to life above the central dais, markers highlighting strategic districts:
Gray Court Sanctuary (Moonfall Market) – research and public demonstration.
Silverfang Hold Clinic (Grey Docks) – veteran care and blood-magic therapy.
Nightshade Manor Annex (Uptown) – Covenant-sponsored urban health hub.
Harbor Paws Medical Bay (Central Shelter) – community outreach and stray rehabilitation.
St. Helene Satellite Clinic (Old Medical Campus) – specialized hybrid treatment.
Elara tapped each marker in turn, and a cadre of medical scribes and pack healers nodded solemnly. Azah's hologram flickered in agreement: "Under the Council's charter, cross-training will ensure no single faction monopolizes this knowledge."
Hexan, the Silverfang lieutenant, rumbled, "The Pack will oversee Grey Docks and the satellite clinic. We vow transparency in rituals and protocols."
A Covenant envoy—pale, cloaked in deep red—stepped forward. "The Covenant provides funding and training materials, but the Council's wards will prevent misuse."
Zephyr held up the primer. "We bind this Accord with the Codex's Oath." He traced the Binding Glyph in the air, then placed a drop of blood onto a shared tablet of pure moonstone. Each faction's representative followed—blood and moon together sealing the pact.
System Notification: "Bloodwolf Healing Accord ratified. Clinics empowered."
That afternoon, a procession wound from the Hold to the first clinic at Moonfall Market. Lantern-bearers led the way, followed by Phalanxes of Pack scouts, Grey Court scribes, and Covenant healers in white coats. At the clinic's opening, Zephyr uncapped a vial of Vitae Stabilizer and demonstrated its use on a volunteer apprentice—Mina, whose wrist glowed with a gentle lunar sheen as the serum accelerated healing of a shallow wound.
Spectators gasped as bruises faded in seconds, pain eased, and strength returned. Rook oversaw Symbiotic Cell Matrix trials on a scavenged war-dog, its limp leg righted and fur smoothing under Conclave wards.
Elara offered a vial of Prototype Omega to a perforated moonstone receptacle: the serum would be administered sparingly, only for the critically wounded. The crowd murmured respect, understanding the power in their hands.
Zephyr addressed them all: "Healing through unity—blood, moon, mind—will define our future. May none ever again suffer by the Blade of Ambition."
As celebration rippled through the crowd, Zephyr felt a tremor at the edge of his senses: a faint hum—too regular to be wind, too deep to be ground traffic. He nodded to Corin, slipping aside.
They followed the vibration to a disused service tunnel beneath the clinic. There, hidden behind false panels, a dormant Sanguis Node flickered weakly—its energy corrupted by rogue Covenant code. Someone had reactivated it, hoping to siphon healing energy for darker ends.
Corin's jaw clenched. "They never quit."
Zephyr pressed his palm to the Node's valve glyph, whispering a purge incantation taught by Sable:
"Node of blood, cease your lie;Seal your pulse 'neath moonlit sky."
The glyph flared, then stilled. The humming died.
Rook crouched beside him. "We must find who did this—aid from within, or from outside."
Zephyr nodded. "We ride at dawn. Gather the lieutenants—this Accord must be guarded as fiercely as we forge it."
That night, the newly formed Clinic Council met atop the Luna Spire's observation deck—an open platform crowned by moonstone inlays and panoramic city views. Representatives from all five clinics attended, bearing reports and concerns.
Zephyr opened the session. "Our first challenge: internal security. If Nodes can be reactivated, so can old ambitions." He turned to the Covenant envoy. "Who had access codes?"
The envoy's shoulders sagged. "Only High Healers and two senior archivists. I will verify logs."
Malik, pack recon captain, added: "I'll audit clinic wards and staff rosters."
Azah stood. "The Gray Court will place watchers in each clinic for the first cycle."
Elara concluded, "And Rook and Rennan will lead nightly patrols."
Zephyr clenched his fist in relief. "Then we are united in health and in vigilance."
They placed hands together in the center of the table, each symbolizing their faction—blood drop, moon, wolf's fang. The glow of their combined power pulsed in the Spire's summit.
As the Council dispersed into the lantern-lit corridors, Zephyr lingered at the edge, gazing down at the sleeping city. New clinics would open at dawn; ancient wards would be reforged; lives saved. Yet the flicker of that rogue Node reminded him that healing and harm were two sides of the same rune.
Elara joined him, earth and star in one presence. "Your people will see wonders tomorrow."
Zephyr nodded, amber eyes bright. "And challenges. But together, we stand guard."
Rook approached as well. "I'm honored to have a place here—among healers, not warriors."
He smiled. "Your blade will save as many as it would've slain."
Above, the moon drifted behind cloud, its promise a pale arc. Zephyr placed a hand on the primer's cover. Within its pages lay the wisdom to guide a new era.
System Prompt: "Primary directive accomplished: Distribute healing. New directive: Secure internal trust; root out remaining threats."
Zephyr exhaled, breath misting in the night air. Tomorrow, the clinics would heal bodies—but it was the unity of factions, bound by blood and moon, that would heal a city's fractured soul.
As the Council's lanterns faded into the night, Zephyr's silhouette stood resolute against the skyline—a guardian forged in blood, guided by moonlight, and sworn to protect the promise of renewal.