Selena stood by the large window of her residence, her gaze fixed on the night sky above Myrta. Flashes of orange and red lit up the darkness as volleys of fire magic rained down, only to be swallowed by the void barrier outside. The glass trembled with each impact, but her expression remained cold, controlled.
Her fingers curled against the windowsill. Her voice came out low and steady.
"They're not even trying to hide it anymore. They've finally thrown away their masks."
Behind her, the shadows moved. A line of her most trusted people stood ready near the center of the room, armed and waiting. One of them, a woman with short silver hair and two curved daggers strapped to her thighs, stepped forward and bowed her head slightly.
"We are ready, Lady Selena. We only await your orders."
Selena turned away from the window. She took a slow breath, then spoke, her voice sharp and clear.
