The air in the Arkhe vaults was quiet, but it wasn't still. There was something pulsing behind the silence—like the Tower itself had started paying closer attention. As if, now that Leon had broken into the Sovereign Core Circle, the Tower wanted to see what he would do next.
He passed the registry wall without glancing at it. Titles, ranks, legacies—all of them felt secondary. What mattered now were the names written in pressure. Not visible, not spoken, but felt. Etched into the arena stone, carved into every step he took.
Roman caught up with him near the lift. "What's the plan?"
Leon answered without turning. "We find the next gate."
"And if it's another concept-tier freak with their own personal rules of reality?"
Leon gave the faintest grin. "Then we learn their rules. Break them. Move forward."
Milim skipped ahead, arms swinging, her usual smile sharper now. "You're starting to sound like a Sovereign."
