Chapter 322: Equals at the Map (Part 1)
The war room deep inside the Bastion Seven Academy was quiet.
Draven stood alone over the massive central table. The polished wood was covered in physical charts, handwritten ledgers, and a scattering of heavy metal markers. A single overhead lantern cast a low, yellow glow across his face. He had not slept in two days.
CRUNCH.
CRUNCH.
Astraxion lay curled in a loose circle directly over the northern mountain range of a paper map. He had shrunk to the size of a large house cat, and his sleek neon-purple scales caught the lantern light.
His glowing purple eyes were half closed with contentment. He was chewing happily on a solid Star-Iron deployment marker. A deep, rhythmic purr rumbled in his chest, vibrating against the wooden table.
The heavy oak door creaked open.
Estella stepped into the room. She wore a soft gray sweater and loose trousers. Her violet eyes caught the lantern light. She carried two steaming ceramic mugs.
