Fragments of Dawn

The moon’s fragments hung in the sky like scattered embers, their eerie glow casting long shadows over the ruined city. Kai felt every aching muscle in his body as he trudged forward, supporting Juno’s weight. The underground parking structure had given them a temporary reprieve from the Iron Fangs, but he knew they couldn’t stay there forever.

They needed allies.

And there was only one place left to go.

Kai’s jaw tightened as he considered their destination—The Hollow Bastion, a stronghold controlled by a faction that barely tolerated his existence. If he was going to convince them to help, he had to tread carefully.

Juno stirred against his side, letting out a quiet groan. “Tell me we’re not going where I think we’re going.”

Kai glanced at her. “You have a better idea?”

She sighed. “Yeah. Collapsing in a ditch sounds nice right about now.”

“Not an option.”

She winced as they took another step. “Damn it, Kai. The Hollow Bastion hates you. They barely let you leave last time.”

“I know.”

“And now you’re marching straight back into their territory?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

Juno huffed but didn’t argue further. She knew as well as he did—without reinforcements, they wouldn’t last long. The Iron Fangs were still out there, hunting them. And Ava…

Ava was getting stronger.

Kai clenched his fists.

He wouldn’t let her win.

Not again.

The fortress stood like a monolith against the ruined skyline. Unlike the rest of the decaying world, The Hollow Bastion had been reinforced—thick steel barriers, makeshift towers with armed sentries, and floodlights scanning the wasteland for threats.

As Kai and Juno approached the entrance, the lights snapped onto them.

“Halt!”

A voice rang out from above. A guard, clad in reinforced scavenged armor, leveled a rifle at them. “State your business!”

Kai took a step forward, keeping his hands visible. “We need to speak to Captain Reyes.”

The guard hesitated. Then, recognition flickered across his face. “You.” His grip on the rifle tightened. “You’ve got some nerve coming back here, Voss.”

Kai’s expression remained unreadable. “It’s urgent.”@@novelbin@@

“Turn around. You’re not welcome here.”

Juno scoffed, leaning weakly against Kai. “Really? You’re gonna turn away two half-dead survivors? Real hospitable.”

The guard hesitated again. Clearly, he wasn’t comfortable leaving them out here to die. But The Hollow Bastion had strict rules—and Kai had already tested their patience once before.

“Wait here,” the guard finally said before disappearing behind the wall.

Kai exhaled. That was a start.

Juno shot him a look. “Think they’ll actually let us in?”

Kai didn’t answer. Because honestly, he wasn’t sure.

Minutes passed before the doors creaked open. A group of soldiers stepped out, weapons at the ready. And at the center of them was Captain Reyes.

A towering woman with a scar across her cheek, Reyes had built The Hollow Bastion into a fortress of survivors. She was ruthless, calculating—and most importantly, she did not trust Kai.

Her sharp gaze swept over them before she crossed her arms. “You must be desperate if you’re coming back here.”

Kai met her eyes. “We need your help.”

She let out a dry chuckle. “You say that like we’re friends.”

Juno, still leaning on Kai, muttered, “If we were friends, you’d already have let us in.”

Reyes glanced at her before sighing. “Bring them inside.”

The soldiers lowered their weapons, and the doors shut behind them.

For now, they were safe.

The interior of The Hollow Bastion was a stark contrast to the wasteland outside. Fires crackled in barrels, survivors moved through the makeshift corridors, and stockpiles of food and weapons were guarded with precision.

Reyes led them into a dimly lit chamber that served as a war room. A large map of the city was spread across the table, marked with different faction territories.

She turned to face them. “Talk.”

Kai didn’t waste time. “The Iron Fangs are expanding. They ambushed Juno. They’re going to make a move soon, and if we don’t stop them, they’ll take everything.”

Reyes arched a brow. “And why should we care?”

“Because once they consolidate power, they’ll come for you next.”

Silence.

Reyes studied him for a long moment. Then, she smirked. “You’re assuming we can’t handle them ourselves.”

Kai exhaled. “Ava’s involved.”

That made Reyes pause.

She wasn’t stupid. She knew what Ava was capable of.

Juno sat up straighter. “We need a counter-offensive. And like it or not, we can help.”

Reyes tilted her head. “What makes you think I’d trust you in my army?”

Kai stepped forward. “Because whether you trust me or not, you need me.”

More silence.

Then, Reyes let out a short laugh. “You’re either the dumbest bastard I’ve ever met or the most stubborn.”

Kai didn’t flinch. “Maybe both.”

She regarded him for another long moment before sighing. “Fine.” She turned to one of her lieutenants. “Patch them up. Get them food. But they don’t get full access to the Bastion. They’re still outsiders.”

Kai didn’t argue. This was the best deal he was going to get.

For now.

Night fell over The Hollow Bastion, but rest never came.

Kai sat on the edge of his cot, fingers tracing the Moon Fragment embedded in his wrist. The power within it pulsed faintly, a reminder of what he had lost—and what he still had to gain.

He wouldn’t fail again.

A knock at the door broke his thoughts.

Juno’s voice came through. “We’ve got a problem.”

Kai stood immediately.

When he stepped outside, Reyes was already there, along with several of her soldiers. Their expressions were grim.

“The Iron Fangs are moving,” Reyes said. “Scouts spotted them a few miles out.”

Kai’s pulse quickened. “How many?”

“Enough that this isn’t just a raid.”

Juno exhaled. “They’re trying to wipe us out.”

Reyes nodded. “Looks like it.” She turned to Kai. “You wanted to prove yourself?”

He met her gaze.

“Then get ready for war.”