By the next day, everything was in place.
We stood on an open platform just outside the capital, the sky above calm and clear, the air dense with Essence. Steve and North stood beside me. All three of us wore the black robes of the Order of Absolute, the emblem resting over our chests.
I exhaled slowly, then lifted my hand.
Red circles flared to life around me. One after another, they ignited, glowing with a deep crimson light before stabilizing. From within them, figures began to step out.
My summons.
In seconds, they had all gathered, forming a loose circle around us.
I looked at them.
"I hope everyone is well rested," I said calmly. "Because we're not going for a walk."
Knight stepped forward slightly, his usual calm expression unchanged.
"Well," he said, "I was planning to take it easy today, but I suppose saving the galaxy will have to fit into the schedule."
Steve let out a short laugh.
"Really?" he said. "That's what you came up with?"
Knight shrugged lightly.
