The day had finally arrived. The sunlight was soft, gently touching everything below.
If someone looked from the sky, they would see a massive black mass on the ground, arranged in perfect formation.
These were the 12,000 elite troops of Aether, all dressed in black uniforms, standing ready for the order to march into the valley—to end the Stampede that was building there.
At the front were captains, majors, powerful transcendents, and above them stood the commanders—Cassian, Sunny, Sophie, and Sarah.
At the very front, leading everyone, was Lord Commander Leo.
He wasn't in uniform.
His battle clothes had been torn apart, so he wore a simple shirt and track pants. He looked more like someone heading for a walk than into war.
Leo looked at the valley ahead and then turned to face his soldiers. He didn't say anything, just stood there quietly, eyes moving across the entire 12,000-strong army.
