The walk back to the ship was quieter than before.
Aurelian did not rush, and neither did Lysara. The corridors of the bastion still carried that faint, dormant hum, as if something vast were only half awake and waiting for direction.
It was different now, though. Before, it had felt abandoned. Now it had a semi-invigorated feeling, like it had been given a reason to start moving again but had not fully done so yet.
Behind them, Seris and Meren had already turned back toward their people, toward the work that would decide whether this place would rise or fall under his control, and whether the structure he had offered would actually hold.
"You gave them a lot," Lysara said as they moved through the last access corridor.
"I gave them structure," Aurelian replied. "The rest depends on whether they use it or waste it."
