Escalation

"I think it is better if we assume the worst."

The worst being that Anvil had known all along about the irreconcilable hatred Nephis had harbored towards him and Ki Song, and was fully expecting her to try taking revenge on them at some point. 

Perhaps he simply did not care, not even considering her a threat. Perhaps he did not mind making use of Nephis and her talents before eventually disposing of her.

In any case, today's events were bound to change things. 

Cassie frowned. 

"...Our timetable needs to be accelerated, then."

She was right. 

They had to hurry, anyway. 

Now that the Song Army had lost a decisive battle, it would be pushed back off the Breastbone Reach. The power of Ki Song's Domain would diminish, and Anvil would gain an advantage — which was a problem. 

In truth, today's battle had brought another benefit to Sunny, Nephis, and Cassie… albeit quite a morbid one.