“People of Arcardius,” Nor said, and the crowd fell silent at once. “I come to you this evening in the wake of a message sent out by a monster. A man who hides in the shadows, who threatens the well-being of many others. He calls himself Arachnid. He dares defy the truth I was sent here to spread across every system in Mirabel, the truth that you now all know: that if you follow me, I will bring new order and new light to this galaxy. I will wipe away the bloodstains of the past, and remove the need for war and terror and destruction.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd at the mention of Arachnid.

Still, the adoration hung like a perfume in the air, thick with Valen’s compulsion. His head buzzed from the noise, but also from the effort of commanding all of them. He needed sleep—sleep, and time to dwell inside his mind and compel more people.

Valen tried to focus on Nor’s voice as it rang across the Academy grounds like a song.

“I refuse to hide the way Arachnid does. The message that I have shared with you, since the beginning of my reign, still remains. We must carry on building Nexus, our shining beacon in the sky. We must dedicate every ounce of our energies to ensure that it is completed on time.” Nor paused a moment for effect, then added, “But there is another mission I must now call upon you to complete.”

Her gaze swept across the crowd as they roared.

As her name formed again on all of their lips.

“Arachnid is our enemy. But there is another who dares to defy me and my name. Androma Racella, known widely as the Bloody Baroness, has spread a reign of terror across this galaxy for far too long. She is my enemy—the only other person standing in our way as we aim to bring peace to Mirabel.” Nor lifted her hands to the sky, smiling triumphantly. “I implore you, my beloved people, to rise up with me, and bring this young woman forth. Anyone who has intelligence on Androma, or who delivers her to Averia, will have my favor until the end of my days.”

Valen watched as Nor directed her gaze right into the cameras, smiling to himself as she spoke her next words. As she laid the trap for their enemy.

“Androma, if you are watching, I offer you a gift in exchange for your compliance.”

She glanced back at Valen then. He motioned for the girls to step forward from the background, into full view of the camera droids.

Breck, towering over everyone, held her chin high as she moved to stand by Nor’s side. Gilly bobbed excitedly on her toes, the very same way she always had, but now her excitement was for Nor. And Lira, delicate but brave, simply stared ahead, face expressionless as she looked at the cameras.