The battlefield had long been cleared. What remained now was silence.
Only three of us stood there, away from the others, positioned at the edge of the now-empty sector where the rift had once existed. The void felt calmer here, almost too calm after everything that had just taken place.
I looked at Xeron.
"We're not stopping here," I said.
He turned slightly, his expression already serious.
"I want you to start preparing your forces," I continued. "Not just for defense. I want intelligence, scouting, everything you have. We are going to start hitting the major Grade 4 rifts as well."
That got a reaction.
Xeron's brows furrowed slightly.
"Grade 4 rifts?" he asked. "Why push for that now? We've just stabilized the Grade 3 level. Most would consolidate after something like this."
I shook my head.
"I don't have that luxury."
He didn't interrupt.
