Ryu's impossible knowledge hung in the air, a silent testament to a power General Tarik couldn't comprehend.
The General's expression shifted from anger to a cold, calculating curiosity.
He had come for information. He had found a miracle.
He raised a hand to his comm-link, a device that was supposed to be dead in this archive.
"All teams, stand down and withdraw. Return to base."
Kiera and Joric exchanged a look of disbelief.
He had actually done it.
Through his link, Kiera could feel Ryu's exhaustion; sensing and pinpointing that many disciplined warriors had been a massive strain, but he had held it together.
He had faced down one of the most powerful generals in the city without throwing a punch.
"The data-chip, warrior," Tarik said, his tone no longer demanding, but expectant.
Kiera tossed it to him. He caught it and inserted it into a datapad he produced from his coat.
As he read, his face became a storm cloud.
He saw the full scope of the Vanguard's manipulation.
He saw the name of the traitorous general within his own clan. He saw the payments, the supply lines, the chilling efficiency of the conspiracy.
But most importantly, he saw the name of Elder Valerius of the Azure Dragons.
He looked up, his eyes burning with a new, focused rage.
His hatred for the Onyx Serpents had been a tool.
His clan's honor had been mocked.
"They have made an enemy of the Sunstone Jaguars," he said, his voice a low, deadly rumble. "And they will pay the price."
"An open war is what they want," Kiera warned.
"If you accuse Elder Valerius publicly, the Azure Dragons will be forced to defend him. The clans will tear each other apart."
"I am aware," Tarik replied, his mind already working through a dozen strategic possibilities.
"A direct assault is a fool's move. This requires a serpent's touch, not a jaguar's claws." He looked at the three of them, his gaze lingering on Ryu.
"You are traitors to your clan. You have no allies. No resources. You are ghosts."
"We have the truth," Ryu said simply.
Tarik let out a short, harsh laugh.
"The truth is a luxury, boy. Power is a necessity." He paused, his decision made.
"You are a valuable asset. Your... ability is a weapon I could use. I am prepared to offer you sanctuary. Protection under the banner of the Sunstone Jaguars. In return, you will work for me. You will be my secret weapon in the war to come."
It was a devil's bargain.
They would be trading one cage for another, one master for another. But it was also a lifeline.
They would have the resources, the protection, and the military might of a high clan behind them.
They would be able to take the fight to the Vanguard on a new level.
"We are not your soldiers, General," Kiera said, her voice firm.
"We will be your allies. We share a common enemy, and we will work with you to dismantle the Vanguard. But we do not take orders from you. We are partners, or we are nothing."
Tarik studied her, a flicker of respect in his eyes.
A disgraced, weakened warrior, and she was still trying to bargain with him. He admired her audacity.
"Partners, then," he agreed, the word feeling foreign on his tongue.
"For now. Your first mission as my 'partners' will be to verify a piece of this data. According to this ledger, there is a major Vanguard supply hub hidden within a geothermal plant in the Outer Sector. A place they call 'The Forge.' You will infiltrate it. You will confirm its existence. And you will bring me proof. Do this, and you will have earned your place at my table."
He turned to leave, his two honor guards falling in step behind him.
"And warrior," he said, looking back at Kiera.
"When the time comes to deal with Elder Valerius... the kill is yours."