The general didn't respond right away.
His lips pressed together as if weighing something difficult.
Even with all his experience, even with decades of battles behind him, he was afraid.
It wasn't something he tried to hide either.
Phantom Voice was the kind of creature that stripped away bravado.
Finally, after another minute of silence, the general nodded again, this time slower.
"Be careful," he said, and left.
An hour later, the evacuation was complete.
The Horizon Institute's stronghold—usually a place buzzing with activity—stood quiet and still.
The streets, corridors, and checkpoints were empty.
Everyone had been moved via teleportation portals toward the nearest Sanctum of Masters stronghold.
Everyone except Catherine.
She stood alone at the top of the watchtower built into the city wall.
The tower was tall, higher than most of the buildings in the stronghold, and there were dozens like it all around the outer perimeter.
