“Darius Kael,” she said, her voice even, measured. “Welcome to Haven Point.”

The lesson, Elior explained, was not in the triumph but in the resilience of those who fought beside him.

The following day, Darius was escorted to a stark conference room within the prison’s administrative wing. Elior was already there,...

Athena countered. “But recognizing past flaws is the first step to rising beyond them.”

Lena’s tearful testimony became the cornerstone of his guilt, but it was far from the only burden Darius carried.

The thrill of the heist made him feel invincible, as though he was rewriting the rules of Erevania’s corrupt society.

Darius discovered the underground network of hackers who called themselves the Crypt. Their world was intoxicating.

“The past isn’t exactly a selling point, Athena. They’ll see a thief, a hacker, a liar. Nothing more.” ~ Darius Kael

Security forces scrambled to contain the growing unrest. But Erevania was already a nation divided, nearing its breaking point.

The exchange grew increasingly heated. Liora leaned forward. “You call this progress? Handing the reins of our nation to a thief?"

"If it’s about me, you might as well spill. I’m not going anywhere, after all, I'm just a convict stuck in the middle of it." ~ Darius Kael

Selena exhaled slowly, pushing back the memories. Her job wasn’t to judge Athena’s choice—at least not yet.

The sun rose over Athenon with an uncharacteristic solemnity, its golden rays casting long shadows across the towering spires

For decades, Erevania’s leadership has been chosen by Athena with precision—until now.