Chapter 590: Chapter 590: The Unknown Calling

The early morning sun cast a pale, uncertain light across the Citadel, struggling to penetrate the thick stone walls. The air inside was charged with a palpable tension, a stark contrast to the quiet morning outside. Thorne walked through the corridors with renewed purpose, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategies and concerns.

He found Cedric in the command chamber, studying a map of the surrounding area with a furrowed brow. The usually efficient lines and markers now looked chaotic, a reflection of the uncertainty that had gripped them since the ritual.

"Any updates?" Thorne asked, his voice breaking the silence.

Cedric looked up, his face lined with fatigue but marked by determination. "We've fortified the perimeter and doubled the guard. But there's been no sign of immediate threats. It's as if the whole region is holding its breath."