The Council chamber still smelled of ash.

Broken glass glittered across the floor, and morning haze drifted through shattered windows. Into the ruin rolled Allira Salo, the hum of his wheelchair cutting through uneasy murmurs. Behind him stood Ambessa Medarda, imposing as a drawn blade.

"To think," Salo said coolly, surveying the wreckage, "we nearly extended sovereignty to the creatures who did this."

Silence followed.

"Our people need more than comforting words. They need action." His gaze swept the room. "We flood the Undercity with Enforcers armed with Hextech."

Objections came. Innocents. Diplomacy. Restraint.

Salo dismissed them all.

"How many more councilors must die before you wake up?" he asked, voice sharp as steel. "We are under siege."

The vote was called. Two to one.

"We invade."

Leaning back, Salo let the silence settle. The decision was made. And yet, someone still hadn't spoken.

He could feel the challenge waiting in the room.