Palace of the Suns, Central Coordination Office, 6:47 AM
The light of dawn streamed through the windows of the Palace of the Suns. That ancient structure, restored stone by stone by workers from every corner of Norgalia, stood imposingly as a witness of the new beginning. In one of the main halls, modestly decorated with old tapestries and maps spread across oak tables, Pablo sat at a wrought-iron desk. He still wore his simple clothes: a dark linen shirt, worn boots, and a traveling coat. His face bore the marks of months of intense work.
At his right, a young secretary with round glasses and ink-stained hands held a thick folder bearing the seal of the National Transition Council.
"Your Majesty… forgive me," he corrected quickly, "Mr. Pablo, the full report has arrived. All states have delivered their final balance of the last six months, as you ordered."
Pablo sighed wearily.
"Good, León. Let's begin. How is the country?"
The young León Carrus nodded and began to read.
⸻
1. Trasporium
"The monorail lines are fully operational," he said. "The interdimensional transport system has been stabilized with the help of engineers from Cintekis and… what remains of the Umbrallya staff. The dimensional port is functioning normally."
"And the portals?" Pablo interrupted.
"Stable. They've shown no alterations. Traffic has been restricted as you ordered, limited to government and scientific operations only."
Pablo nodded.
⸻
2. Communicare
"Information flow has been restored. National broadcasts resumed two months ago. Networks are fully functional. A parallel emergency network is being developed for military use. Communications with Infernara and Umbrallya… remain complicated."
"Because of the differences in code and frequency," Pablo said, recalling an old document.
León smiled faintly.
"Exactly, sir."
⸻
3. Cintekis
"They have developed three new construction materials based on vidrium alloys with synthetic carbon. They also managed to stabilize transfer matter for alternative energies. Since last month, Fortis and Carnaria are using energy generated by micro-imploders. The progress is… incredible."
Pablo did not answer. He simply took a pen and underlined something on his map.
⸻
4. Agrobia
The name was spoken in a lower tone.
"The land is beginning to heal. The ashes were treated with a formula developed in Mediavare. Surface crops have begun to flourish. Families who survived the disaster have slowly started to return."
Pablo lowered his gaze.
"The monuments with the names of the fallen?"
"They're already placed in the Plaza of the Burned Tree. One for each confirmed name."
Silence.
⸻
5. Gray City
"Progress was surprising. The new monorail turned the city into a key point of exchange. The number of inhabitants doubled in five months. The former rural villages nearby are voluntarily annexing under its jurisdiction."
"And the transport factory?"
"Operational and mass-producing Aerus-7 model trains. No accidents reported."
⸻
6. Fortis
"Completely restructured. The new main headquarters, the Base of the Fallen Souls, is operational. The new land and air divisions have been trained by Agrobian veterans. The first dimensional defense brigade has been activated."
Pablo raised an eyebrow.
"Dimensional?"
"Yes, because of the possibility of extraplanetary threats, according to Infernara's surveillance reports."
Pablo frowned. That was new.
⸻
7. Mediavare
"Advanced quarantine technology has reduced the spread rate of terminal diseases. The mortality index in critical zones dropped 62%. The Transition Hall is fully operational for patients choosing conscious cremation."
Pablo paused.
"And the criticisms?"
"Minor. The transparency of the system, its ethics, and the laws you signed have prevented any kind of scandal. The population accepts it."
⸻
8. Laboris
"Unemployment dropped to 2%. The rebuilt factories now use hybrid technologies. A law has been proposed to automate certain production chains without affecting human jobs."
"And the union's response?"
"Accepted. A shared oversight committee has been created."
⸻
9. Carnaria
"Production restored to 110%. The national food reserves are at their highest point since the year 800. They are working with Fortis to develop regenerative field rations."
Pablo arched an eyebrow.
"Regenerative?"
"Food that self-repairs with ambient moisture. Cintekis technology."
⸻
10. Hospedare
"Seventy thousand housing units have been rebuilt. Mobile shelters are being raised in regions of extreme climate. The program 'One Family, One Roof' has housed over 300,000 people."
Pablo smiled—for the first time that day.
⸻
11. Dinaria
"The central bank doubled its emerald reserves. A parallel virtual currency was imposed for external transactions. Inflation… nonexistent."
"Good."
⸻
12. Infernara and Umbrallya
"They have become strategic bastions. Their governments agreed to maintain shared control with the High Council. The hostile zones of Umbrallya have been pacified by 65%. Infernara established its first Dimensional Parliament."
"Interesting."
⸻
13. Electrium
"The restoration of the energy core was a success. The Central Lightning Tower is active. All states were connected to a secondary network in case of global failure. The new floating plants will produce energy even without solar presence."
⸻
14. New States
León switched folders.
"The three new states progress at different paces:
• Sportium: 60% of the Olympic Stadium completed. The design will change national tourism. Northern athletes are already training for the first Games of the New Era.
• Comertion: The foundations of the World Trade Center are finished. It will have 43 levels and 10 underwater sublevels. Umbrallya's Night Market has been integrated as a cultural attraction.
• Hospitale: Progress is slow, but precise. Medical staff from all dimensions are being trained. It will be the world's first interdimensional medical center."
⸻
Pablo remained silent for a long while, staring at the map before him, studded with markers, lines, and notes.
"Thank you, León. You may leave. I want to be alone."
"Yes, sir."
When León left the room, Pablo kept looking out the window toward the palace gardens. The wind carried golden leaves, and for the first time in months, he felt something close to hope. But deep down… he also knew that all this was not the end.
It was only the calm before the next storm