Location: Tavara – Underground Safehouse, Raven District
The dimly lit safehouse buzzed with quiet tension. Nora sat at the steel table, the Aether Disruptor resting in its containment case beside her, pulsing steadily. Damien leaned against the opposite wall, arms folded, eyes locked on the ticking device. Every second brought them closer to an unavoidable storm.
"I've sent the data to Victor's command," Nora said. "He'll coordinate the satellite calibration. We've got one chance to make this count."
Damien didn't respond immediately. Instead, his gaze lingered on her, not the weapon. "Why do I feel like you're holding something back?"
Nora hesitated. Her fingers tapped against the metal surface, a silent war drumming beneath her skin.
"Because I am," she finally admitted. "There's a failsafe built into the Disruptor—one only I can override. If something goes wrong…"
She didn't finish the sentence. Damien pushed off the wall, stepping closer.
"You're not dying for this war, Nora."
Her eyes flicked to him. "Someone has to. If Requiem unleashes his full power, not even the Disruptor will contain the fallout unless someone manually primes the detonation core during deployment."
Damien's jaw tensed. "We'll find another way."
"There isn't one," she replied softly.
The silence between them stretched, weighted by the stakes and the unspoken things that never found their moment.
Finally, Damien reached out, fingers brushing hers.
"If this is the last favor you're planning to do for the world… then let me stop you."
Nora looked up, vulnerability crackling in her gaze. "What if it's too late to stop me?"
Damien's grip tightened slightly. "Then I'll fight the universe itself to change your mind."
Before either could say another word, the encrypted communication terminal beeped.
Victor's voice came through. "We're ready. Coordinates locked. Dominion's war fleet is advancing toward the capital. You need to move. Now."
Nora stood. "Then this is it."
Damien nodded. "Let's go write the chapter they'll never forget."
---
Location: Dominion Command Vessel – Inner Core
Caine sat calmly, reading a leather-bound book as Dominion officers reported the latest intel. Requiem stood near the viewport, watching the war unfold in scattered flares across the landscape.
"They're deploying the Disruptor," an officer reported. "Based on satellite readings, it's being positioned just south of the capital."
Caine smirked. "Let them."
He closed his book, stood, and poured himself a drink.
"This war was never about weapons," he said. "It was about fear. They still fear us. And fear... always obeys."
---
Location: Hidden Transport Aircraft – En Route to Drop Zone
Nora sat strapped into the jump seat, oxygen mask secured. Damien sat across from her, staring straight ahead, their hands still linked between the space of battle armor and gear.
The pilot's voice cut in. "ETA 6 minutes. Prepare for deployment."
Damien squeezed her hand. "Whatever happens down there—"
"I know," she whispered.
They were falling through the sky moments later, cloaked by radar-scramblers and silence, heading into fire and legend.