He glanced briefly over the city behind Caelus, then back at him.
"You have people. Resources. Structure."
His gaze sharpened just a little.
"And I can use that."
Caelus' expression hardened.
"So what are you saying?"
Aiden met his eyes directly.
"Submit."
The word landed heavily.
"I don't need to wipe you out," Aiden continued. "Work under me instead. Pay what you owe every month, and I let this place stand."
Murmurs spread among the soldiers.
"Is he serious…"
"He wants us to surrender?"
Caelus didn't look away.
"…And if we refuse?"
Aiden's expression didn't change.
Behind him, the undead beast let out a low, hollow growl, its presence pressing down on everyone nearby.
Below, the sound of fighting continued to rise.
"You already know the answer," Aiden said calmly.
Silence followed.
The tension between them tightened.
Two leaders.
Two sides.
Standing face to face above a battlefield that had not yet decided its outcome.
Caelus didn't answer right away.
