Chapter 110: Back Again

Tires hummed as three black armored SUVs sped north along the interstate.

In the center vehicle, Evren leaned back, listening to the purr of the engine. Outside, the coastal warmth had faded into cool mountain air and pines.

Amber sat beside him, reviewing emergency reports.

"The broadcast updated," Amber said, showing him the screen. "The S-Rank tear thirty miles out is contained, but the Defense Division locked down all perimeter sectors."

"The city is under Stage Two wartime alert," she added.

Zephyra leaned forward from the opposite seat. "Will they close the gates?"

"Civilians and freight will be backed up for miles," Evren replied calmly. "Guilds without priority clearances will be turned away."

"But we have official business."

He patted his jacket pocket, where the gold summons from Grand Arbiter Kincaid rested.

Twenty minutes later, the trees opened to reveal the towering skyline of the Imperial Capital.

Huge granite walls rose two hundred feet into the gray sky, encircling the metropolis like a fortress. Barrier projectors hummed along the battlements, casting a blue glow across the clouds, while heavy railguns pointed toward a distant purple rift on the horizon.

As the convoy reached the Southern Gates, the highway narrowed into heavily barricaded checkpoints.

Hundreds of civilian haulers and supply trucks sat trapped in gridlock, horns echoing into the cold air. Armored carriers blocked the outer lanes, surrounded by razor wire, while guards turned vehicles away with orange wands.

Nearby, hunter convoys bearing the crests of Silverfang and Tempest Peak waited behind dividers.

The lead Apex SUV drove straight toward Lane One, the military priority lane.

A checkpoint officer stepped forward, raising a gloved hand. Two armed soldiers flanked him with rifles raised.

"Halt," the officer commanded over his communicator. "Lane One is reserved for High Council officials and military command."

"Turn around and join the commercial queue."

The driver lowered the rear window of the center SUV.

Evren leaned toward the opening, holding out a heavy gold tablet. The polished metal bore the double-headed eagle of the Imperial Ministry of Defense, encircled by glowing runes.

The officer leaned down, expecting an ordinary transit permit.

The moment his eyes caught the golden seal and Grand Arbiter Raymond Kincaid’s crest, the man went rigid. His eyes widened behind his visor, and he pulled his hand back.

"Imperial Sovereign Gold Summons..." the officer breathed in a stunned whisper.

Without wasting a second, the officer snapped to attention and saluted.

He keyed his headset and barked into the command channel: "Clear the lane, open the gate, and make way!"

The steel spike strips retracted with a hiss. The barrier arms swung upward, and the soldiers snapped their heels together in salute.

The driver rolled up the window and accelerated.

The three armored SUVs surged forward, cruising smoothly past the long line of stalled traffic and entering the vaulted tunnel of the Southern Gate.

—

Inside the Capital, the bustling streets were noticeably subdued. Military patrols stood at major intersections, and digital billboards displayed evacuation guidelines alongside rift updates.

Yet, as the convoy crossed the river into the Upper District, the noise and tension receded.

The boulevard was lined with silver oak trees, their pale leaves rustling in the breeze. The three SUVs turned into a private drive before The Grand Pavilion Hotel & Suites.

The eighty-story marble tower gleamed against the overcast sky, surrounded by crystal fountains.

The moment the vehicles stopped, the hotel’s glass double doors opened.

The head concierge walked down the marble steps in a sharp charcoal suit, flanked by doormen in gold-trimmed uniforms.

A doorman opened the door with a bow, and Evren stepped out, followed by Amber and Zephyra.

"Welcome back to The Grand Pavilion, Chairman Evren," the head concierge said, bowing deeply. "It is an honor to host you again."

"Good to see you," Evren said with a faint smile.

The concierge offered a gold-embossed keycard folder.

"Your arrival notice was received thirty minutes ago," the concierge said. "Per your standing directive, the Presidential Penthouse on the eightieth floor is fully prepared, and your private elevator is waiting."

"Thank you," Evren nodded. "Have the staff bring the luggage up."

"Right away, Chairman," the concierge replied, gesturing to the waiting bellmen.

Evren led Amber and Zephyra through the revolving doors into the lobby. As they walked past the central fountain toward the private elevator, Zephyra slowed her steps, her violet eyes lingering on the bronze doors ahead.

Evren paused, noticing her silence. Amber stopped as well, turning to look at her.

Zephyra stood with her hands at her sides.

Looking at those elevator doors, the memory returned with vivid clarity.

The last time they had been here, she had been terrified to lift her head. Her damaged veins had burned with venom, her hands had shaken violently, and a white RX-9 medical droid had glided silently behind her to help ease her pain.

Back then, she had felt like a broken stray on this clean marble floor. She had been so overwhelmed by the wealth and kindness Evren showed her that she could barely whisper his name.

Now, she was standing here in her own clothes, strong, healthy, and walking beside them with her head held high.

Amber stepped beside her, bumping Zephyra’s shoulder playfully.

"Thinking about the first time we came here?" Amber asked softly.

Zephyra looked at Amber, then glanced up at Evren, who was watching her with a calm, reassuring gaze.

A faint, genuine smile curved Zephyra’s lips.

"Yes," Zephyra murmured softly. "Back then, I felt like I was trespassing, like I didn’t deserve to be here."

"You were never trespassing, Z," Evren said gently. "You belong here just as much as we do."

Zephyra’s heart tightened with emotion, and she nodded firmly. "I know," she whispered. "Thank you, Evren."

Amber smiled and linked her arm through Zephyra’s. "Come on," she said with a warm grin. "Let’s go check out our view."

—

The private express elevator rose eighty floors in near-total silence, the smooth ride taking less than twenty seconds.

When the gilded doors slid open, they stepped directly into the ten-thousand-square-foot Presidential Penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls wrapped around the living area, offering a panoramic view of the Imperial Capital.

To the south and east, the metropolis stretched toward the horizon in gleaming towers and sky-bridges. To the west, heavy storm clouds hung low over the mountains, where the purple glow of the S-Rank rift barrier pulsed against the dusk.

Amber set her tablet on the marble island, stretching her arms with a sigh. "After four hours in an armored car, this feels incredible."

"The air is definitely cooler up here than down by the beach," Zephyra said, walking toward the terrace glass to look out over the city lights.

Evren pulled his phone from his pocket and checked the clock.

The countdown timer for the emergency High Council session sat at forty-six hours. He had two full days before the National Assembly convened.

Sitting around an empty penthouse waiting for politicians was never his style.

Evren walked over to the center table, looking at the two women.

"Unpack whatever you need and take a quick breather," Evren said. "We’re not staying in the room for long."

Amber turned around from the counter, raising an eyebrow with an amused smile. "Already planning our next move?"

"Mikay mentioned Master Tridon moved his mobile workshop to an annex forge here in the Capital’s Artisan Quarter," Evren said calmly. "Instead of sitting here waiting for the Council to get their act together, let’s go find the old smith."

Zephyra turned around from the terrace glass, her violet eyes wide with surprise. "Master Tridon is in the Capital?"

"He is," Evren said with a warm nod. "And it’s about time we get you your own weapon."

Zephyra hesitated, looking down at her open palms.

"A weapon?" Zephyra asked softly.

"My veins are healed, but my core isn’t unsealed yet," she added quietly. "I can’t channel external mana into a weapon."

Evren walked over and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You don’t need mana to wield steel, Z," Evren said gently.

"You’ve got your speed, your footwork, and your combat instincts. We’re going to forge a blade that fits your grip and your assassin style right now. You can fight with it using pure physical skill."

He tapped the spatial ring on his finger, where the pulse of the S-Rank Shadow Core rested inside.

"And when the time comes for your core to unseal," Evren added with a confident smile, "the blade’s true power will wake up right alongside you."

Zephyra stared up at him, warmth blooming in her chest as a brilliant spark lit up her violet gaze.

"I’d like that," Zephyra whispered with conviction. "Let’s go see Master Tridon."