(20 hours before the war, Planet Ixtal, Leo's POV)
Leo sat across a long metal table, a recording camera placed in front of him, as the soft hum of the device filled the otherwise silent room, its lens already glowing faintly to indicate that it was active and waiting.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
He simply stared at the camera, shoulders relaxed but posture straight, hands resting flat against the cold surface of the table as if grounding himself, as the weight of what he was about to do slowly settled over him.
'This is harder than facing a God.'
The thought came uninvited, sharp and uncomfortable, as he exhaled slowly through his nose and reached forward to adjust the angle of the lens, making sure it was steady.
Once satisfied, he leaned back slightly.
"This message is for my family."
Leo said calmly, his voice steady despite the tension coiling beneath it, as he looked directly into the camera without flinching.
