(Planet Ixtal, Cult Camp, Council Tent)
Silence hung inside the command tent long after Leo finished speaking, heavy and unmoving, as the glowing projections of the war map slowly dimmed and faded, leaving the five Cult Monarchs standing around the table with nothing but their own thoughts for company.
For several heartbeats, no one spoke.
Su Pei was the first to lift his gaze, looking toward Darnell Nuna, only to find the man already staring back at him, his expression tight and unreadable.
Across from them, Anderson Silva pinched the bridge of his nose slowly, while Mickey James leaned back against one of the tent's support pillars, arms folded across his chest, jaw clenched as if grinding his teeth would somehow make the plan less insane.
Dupravel Nuna remained still, eyes fixed on the table where the projections had been moments ago.
