The first light of dawn spread over Alika City, revealing the damage left behind by the night's rebellion.
Smoke still rose from the artisan quarter, where rebel barricades had burned for hours. Broken carts and damaged buildings lined the streets, but the fighting had finally stopped.
Imperial loyalists had taken control of the city.
Soldiers marched through the avenues, tearing down the black banners bearing Senraki's serpent symbol. Healers and academy cadets worked beside the city guards, carrying the wounded to safety and removing the bodies of those who had died.
On the palace walls, the golden sun crest of the Supreme Mandra had been raised once more.
It fluttered in the cold northern wind.
But the city had paid a heavy price for its return.
Thousands of citizens and soldiers gathered in the Great War Plaza before the Convergence Palace. Some had come to witness the end of the rebellion. Others wanted to get clear instructions from their supreme ruler.
