Renald, Lani, and Felix sat around the bonfire, bowls in hand.
The soup was thick, filled with chunks of meat and steak—nothing fancy, just what they needed. A heavy dose of protein to keep their strength up, but light enough not to knock them out before the mission.
It was the usual camp meal before action—warm, filling, and practical.
The three of them ate in silence. Around them were more soldiers, all part of the Ascended ranks like themselves.
Across the other side of the camp, the Transcendents had gathered in their own circle, deep in strategy talks.
Lani, usually the one with the loudest laugh, was oddly quiet tonight.
Felix noticed it and gave her a sideways glance. "What's up with you? Your brain finally short-circuited or something?"
She nudged him with her elbow and mumbled, "I don't know... Now that the mission's so close, I'm getting nervous."
She paused and looked up at them. "Everything's gonna be fine, right?"
