It is 8:00 in the morning. Soft sunlight slips through gaps in the drifting clouds that fly across the sky. The wooden alarm dings. Sen is awakened by his clock, rolling over to silence it with a groggy hand. He looks out the window next to his bed. He takes a moment to absorb the sight in front of him: trees, grass, and warm light shining on the open blue sky painted by scattered clouds. After a moment of quiet reflection, Sen gets up and changes into a black sleeveless shirt and matching...

Sen and Dain sit as a nurse channels a gentle blue glow over their wounds, mending the injuries in just a few minutes. By then, the Zagon’s body has completely dissolved, leaving no trace behind. A passing soldier drapes a white sheet over Ken’s corpse. The area is crowded with first responders, and those gifted with water-based Intergy work swiftly to douse the remaining flames. Sen : This is crazy. Ken’s dead. Dain : I know. I’m having a hard time taking in what just happened too. Is your...

Zarnem stands at a gravesite, his expression vacant. His gaze is fixed on the stone that bears the name “Penim,” his face a mask of emotionless detachment. Zarnem : Are we all here? Four other military leaders arrive. Ira, a brunette woman with a single streak of blue in her hair. Fex, a man with short black hair and piercing green eyes. Bayz, a nearly bald man. And Analee, an older woman with brown hair, now graying with age. Analee : Just waiting on you to pay your respects. Zarnem : You...