They moved quietly that night, away from the ruined canyon and its dead winds.
Kade didn't speak much. Marei didn't press him.
By morning, the system sent a new directive.
[Red Crown Protocol Triggered]
[Directive: Locate Primary Command Node – Citadel Zareth]
[Status: Decommissioned. Access Restricted. Location: Sector E-7]
Marei swore under her breath. "Citadel Zareth was sealed during the Reset. If that's reopened…"
"It means the system sees us as eligible to inherit," Kade said grimly.
"Inherit what?"
He looked out at the sunrise—pale red, glitching at the edges like a fractured dream.
"Control," he said. "The throne wasn't just symbolic. It was a terminal. A key. If we reach Zareth, we can end this… or start it all over again."
Marei hesitated. "And what will you choose?"
Kade didn't answer.
Not yet.