[POV: Sofia Lanka]

"You really think a single drop of this... this poison, is going to change anything, Lyon? You think a hidden vial in a forgotten pocket can restart a war that almost wiped out humanity? The world is broken. The cities are gone. People are learning to plant seeds again, to fish in the ocean without a sonic net. We are building a new peace, a slow, painful peace, from the ashes you just survived. And you want to taint it with the promise of power?"

Sofia’s voice was low, a jagged whisper that carried on the salty evening breeze. She stood at the edge of the newly-formed...