Emery had never truly been part of the military, and the constant summons, orders, and formalities were still a foreign experience for him. He had grown accustomed to leading his acolytes with more autonomy, making decisions based on their collective needs rather than some distant commander's whims. But here, in this tense and charged atmosphere of the Citadel, things were different. Every command carried weight, and every summons could mean something significant.
As he walked down the narrow, cold hallway toward the General's chamber, Emery's mind raced. He hoped the meeting wouldn't involve any further complications or additional burdens.
When he reached the door, it opened almost silently, revealing a dimly lit room. Stepping inside, Emery felt an immediate and instinctive tension ripple through him. Something was wrong; an unseen presence filled the air.