Kian didn't sleep.
Not since the raid.
The Codex surveillance constructs hovered like silent fireflies above the ceilings, their lenses glowing faint blue. Every whisper, every movement, every detail was recorded — stored, logged, analyzed.
And last night, one of them saw everything.
[Surveillance Playback – Time Index: 03:12]
Subject: Bryke
– Seen adjusting Codex relay node
– Inserted unauthorized shard sigil
– Whispered command: "Zareth Echo. Phase Complete."
Result: Internal Mapping Sent to External Source
Culprit Confirmed
System Suggestion: Eliminate or Isolate Immediately
Kian stood outside Bryke's quarters, spear in hand.
Veyna joined him silently, cloak pulled tight.
"You sure?" she asked.
"Yes," Kian said.
"No trial?"
He looked at her, eyes dark.
"This is war."
Bryke didn't resist.
Not when the door opened.
Not when Kian raised the spear.
Only when the Sentinel Construct — a hybrid creation of bone, steel, and ash — emerged from behind and pressed its blade to her throat, did she flinch.
"Why?" Kian asked.
Bryke looked tired. Older than her face.
"I was born in the Empire," she whispered. "They offered my sister clemency. If I marked your gates. If I sent them your maps."
"They won't spare her," Kian said flatly.
She nodded.
"I know."
[Codex Judgment Protocol Activated]
Action: Exile (Voluntary) or Execution (Recommended)
Warning: Exile will result in high probability of return as hostile.
Execution will reduce Settlement Morale (-2) but secure Loyalty (+12)
Kian didn't hesitate.
"Take her to the trench."
The Sentinel complied.
He didn't watch.
But Veyna did.
And she didn't speak.
Not for the rest of the night.
That same night, Veyna dreamed.
But it wasn't memory.
It was revelation.
A city of towers made from glass and emberstone — floating above a sea of light. A palace wreathed in golden flame. And herself, not human, not quite — with burning eyes and a voice that commanded stars.
"They called me Elun'thar's Heir," she whispered in the dream.
"Flameborn of the Everlight Citadel."
She stood on a balcony as a hundred thousand fell to their knees, chanting her name — not as a mage, but as a divine weapon forged in rebellion.
Then the flames consumed the world.
And she woke screaming.
Kian found her curled near the hearth, drenched in sweat, skin glowing faintly violet.
"I saw it," she gasped. "I remembered."
He held her shoulder. "What did you see?"
"I wasn't just born with this fire," she whispered. "I was the fire. They built me for war. I think…"
She looked up at him, horror dawning.
"I think I destroyed that city."
[Codex Alert – Mythic Identity Fragment Retrieved]
Subject: Veyna
Classification: Legacy-Grade Entity
Entity Purpose: Planetary Cleansing Protocol / Flameborn Construct
Cycle: Broken. Stability: 31%
Codex Recommendation: Containment Impossible. Bonding Required.
Predation Protocol Update: Entity = Compatible / Unstable Ally. Cannot be Consumed.
Ashfall Bastion was quiet the next morning.
The traitor was gone.
But everyone could feel what Kian had done.
He walked to the center of the settlement and planted a new banner — a simple stone slab, etched with three lines:
Shelter. Judgment. Flame.
Those who stayed knew what they were choosing now.
Those who feared it… would leave.
And those who threatened it…
Would not get another warning.
[Codex Upgrade – Settlement Tier II Achieved]
New Structures Unlocked:
Council Hall BlueprintDefensive Wardline ArrayConstruct Stable (Tier I)
New Passive Bonus:
"Ironhold Rule" – Enemy morale reduced during siege by 20% when inside reinforced Bastion
Kian stood atop the central tower, eyes scanning the gray horizon.
From this height, he could see the smoke trails of distant warbands.
From this height, he could feel the world beginning to stir.
"Veyna," he said, not turning.
She stepped beside him, still pale, still glowing faintly.
"Yes?"
"We're no longer alone."
She nodded.
"No," she said. "They're coming for the flame."
End of Chapter 9