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.”

“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

"Nothing thrills me more than wading through the aftermath of an ocean of outrage and bad takes" ~ Iris the AI

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.