They followed the main road through town until it ended at a wide stone staircase.
At the top stood Town Hall — a large timber building reinforced with stone beams, warm light spilling from tall windows onto the snow below.
Steel slowed as they approached.
"Town's too quiet," he muttered.
Stark glanced around the square. Snow fell gently. Lanterns flickered along wooden posts. No panic. No visible fear.
"The lights are nice though," Stark replied. "Almost makes you forget demons are nearby."
They pushed open the heavy wooden doors.
Inside, a long polished table stretched across the center of the room. Around it sat a group of town officials dressed in dark suits, far more formal than the rest of the rustic settlement suggested.
Steel turned to the squad behind them.
"Me and Stark will handle this. You guys wait outside."
The soldiers filed out.
Steel and Stark stepped forward and took seats at the table.
Steel leaned in slightly.
"We received reports of demon activity in this region. We'll need everything you know."
An older bald man at the head of the table folded his hands.
"Yes… during the day, there is nothing. No sightings. No disturbances."
He paused.
"But at night… they come."
Stark's expression hardened.
"Come how?"
"They gather individuals from the outskirts of town," the man said quietly. "Randomly. Or at least that's what it appears to be."
"For what?" Steel asked.
The leader swallowed.
"There are rumors. They take people north. To a stone tower. During the day, they force them to fight."
Stark's eyes narrowed.
"Fight who?"
"Each other."
The room went silent.
"If you survive… they say you are given your freedom. But most never return."
Steel leaned back slowly.
"Do you know exactly where this tower is?"
"North of here. Several miles. It rises out of the cliffs. You can't miss it."
Steel nodded.
"We move at first light."
Outside, the soldiers had gathered at a nearby café, small wooden tables, steaming cups, tension lingering in the air.
Steel and Stark joined them.
One of the younger soldiers hesitated before speaking.
"Sir… how did you two even get to this position?"
Steel smirked slightly.
"That's a long story."
He glanced at Stark.
"We grew up together. Planet not far from the capital. Normal neighborhood. Normal schools. Played football. Nothing special."
He paused.
"Then the Third Great War started."
Stark picked up the story.
"We enlisted. Didn't think much of it. Just two guys trying to do our part."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Optimus noticed us during a battle. Took us in. Trained us himself."
Steel nodded.
"We rose through the ranks during the war. Got invited into the STF. And eventually…"
Stark finished it.
"…became the Seventh and Eighth Greats."
A few soldiers stared at them, impressed.
Steel chuckled.
"It was crazier than he's making it sound. But yeah… it's been one wild ride."
The tension eased slightly around the table.
That night, they checked into a modest hotel. Snow tapped softly against the windows.
Steel stood by his room window, staring north toward the mountains.
Somewhere out there,
A stone tower waited.
And tomorrow, they would find it.