CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
Peace had lasted for many years under Salvatorem Bestiis's guidance,
1.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
but it eventually began to wane.
2.
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A passing of a monument, Salavatorem.
3.
As threats reemerged,
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
the sense of tranquility that had once seemed solid now appeared fleeting.
4.
Despite the celebrations
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
and public affirmations of unity,
the harsh history of conflict between the communities lingered in the collective memory,
5.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
and without their unifying leader,
who had passed away due to natural causes,
6.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
a sense of direction was sorely missed.
7.
Salvatorem's death left a void that was difficult to fill,
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
and the delicate balance he had managed between the Splicers and Mergers began to unravel.
Petty conflicts escalated as old wounds
8.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
and war scars were reopened, leading once more to outright hostility.
9.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
The desire to disrupt the established order—
motivated not always by hatred but sometimes merely by a drive for change—
10.
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11.
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ignited chaos,
12.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
and from chaos inevitably came conflict.
13.
The peace,
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
once robust and hopeful,
seemed increasingly like a brief interlude in a longer narrative of turmoil.
14.
As hostilities reignited, the divisions between the old cities and their dissidents deepened.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
Those who felt restricted by the old cities left,
taking with them technology that was less susceptible to manipulation by urban centers.
15.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
These individuals sought freedom in the wilderness, continuing a cycle of migration influenced by conflict.
16.
Meanwhile, those known as "Naturals,"
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
who had fought in the wars without significantly altering their outcomes,
retained the freedom to navigate between the urban and wilderness areas.
17.
CHAPTER 14 - Echoes of War
Their ability to move freely spoke to the enduring complexity of community alliances and historical grievances that still shaped their world.