The war room occupies what was once the Council’s private chamber.

Maps cover the walls—hand-drawn, updated daily with patrol routes and shadow creature sightings. Red marks show where people disappeared. Blue marks show safe passages. There’s a lot more red than blue.

“Here’s what we know,” the librarian says, tracing the route to the square. “Three Hollow Knights guard the gem directly. At least fifty shadow creatures patrol the surrounding streets. And Varek himself…” She hesitates.

“Varek appears at random,” Corvus continues. “Sometimes at the gem, sometimes elsewhere. We can’t predict where he’ll be when you strike.”

“Then we plan for the worst,” you say. “Assume he’s there. Assume he’s ready.”

Theron leans over the map. “The gem sits on a raised platform. Stairs on four sides. If we can get the resistance to attack from multiple directions—”

“We draw the defenders away,” Mira finishes. “Thin their lines. Create openings.”

“And we slip through,” Wren adds. “Four against three Knights. Not ideal, but possible.”

“What about the gem itself?” you ask. “Once we’re there, how do we actually enter it?”

Corvus’s face is grim. “The relics should show you. According to the old texts, the founders built a way in—a portal that only their heirs could open.”

“Their heirs?”

“You carry their light. Their blessing. Whatever you want to call it.” He meets your eyes. “If anyone can open that portal, it’s you.”

You look at the relics in your pack. Three pieces of three souls, reunited after three centuries. Waiting to be used.

“One more thing,” the blacksmith says. “Neve.”

Your heart stops. “What about Neve?”

“She’s alive. We’ve seen her near the gem. Not as a prisoner—walking freely, apparently unharmed.” His voice is careful. “We don’t know what that means.”

What does it mean? Your closest friend, walking free in Varek’s domain?

“It’s a trap,” Mira says flatly. “He’s using her to get to you.”

“Or she’s playing her own game,” Theron suggests.

“Or both,” Wren adds.

You close your eyes. Neve. Whatever’s happened to her, whatever she’s become or been forced to become, you’ll face it when the time comes.

“Dawn’s breaking,” you say. “Positions, everyone. This ends today.”