Chapter 10. Now: Luca

Luca and his newly assigned tribune traverse a wrecked route from the Illyrium toward the city gates, passing New Legion insignia that immortalize Luca’s killing of Vitrasian. Luca weighs how the symbol inspires yet burdens him, while the tribune warns that desperation may erode Lower City loyalty as losses mount.

At a barricade before the gates, Luca announces himself. Roskia’s soldiers, marked by blue sashes, receive him with formal respect that feels brittle. Luca notices his tribune’s constant readiness, reflecting a shared unease about Roskia’s growing factional identity.

Inside Roskia’s tent, Luca observes disciplined stores, a Loyal Legion godsblood sword at Roskia’s hip, and the centurion’s confident control. Roskia greets Luca without rank, needles him about multiple fallen tribunes, and smirks about the “gift” of bodies on the bridge—confirming Luca’s fear of uncontrolled reprisals.

Luca delivers Commander Saturian’s summons to the Illyrium. Roskia publicly accepts, orders Demás to prepare a contingent, and pointedly misnames Vale as Saturian before Luca corrects him. The exchange exposes Roskia’s careful, deniable disrespect and his secure influence among his men.

As Luca departs, Roskia predicts that within days the rebels will become rulers and implies divine attention is not Luca’s alone. Luca recognizes the looming transition from rebellion to governance—and the internal power struggle it may ignite just as the New Legion readies to cross the river and seize the Citadel.