The Veil of Deception

<p>The city is breathing lies. I can feel them crawling through the</p><p>streets winding up alleyways twisting into every face every</p><p>thought every whispered question. The Dominion has learned</p><p>how to do more than silence; they've learned how to rewrite</p><p>reality itself. They've painted fear and obedience onto the city</p><p>like a canvas and every citizen is a brushstroke under their</p><p>control.</p><p>I move along the rooftops hood drawn tight against the drizzle</p><p>boots whispering over wet tiles. Below Dominion patrols march</p><p>in rigid lines unaware that we are watching that we are alive.</p><p>Every shadow could be an ally every flicker of movement a</p><p>warning. My pulse is steady my mind sharp. Seven days.</p><p>Fourteen hours. Three minutes. Thirty-three seconds. The</p><p>clock isn't theirs-it belongs to us to the Remnant and the</p><p>countdown of courage has already begun.</p><p>Lyra slides onto the rooftop behind me breath uneven but eyes</p><p>fierce.</p><p><br> </p>