Chapter 87: Darrow: Casus Belli

Summary

• A holographic communication begins on the bridge of the Lightbringer, where hundreds of Golds and a leader named Lysander are present.
• Lysander, injured and bloodied, recounts his efforts to help the Moon Lords by putting aside past betrayals and rallying allies to their cause.
• He accuses the Moon Lords of plotting war and betrayal, specifically targeting the narrator, Darrow, as the enemy harbored by them.
• Lysander reveals the body of Cassius, a friend of the narrator, claiming he was sent as an assassin. Cassius is brutally murdered, which devastates the narrator.
• The narrator, Darrow, is heartbroken and reminisces about their past friendship and the missed opportunities for safety.
• Diomedes, another character on the bridge, furiously accuses Lysander of lying about the events and Darrow's involvement.
• Lysander refutes the accusation, insisting his story is credible and painting Darrow as the true villain to the Moon Lords.
• Gaia, a master spy, confronts Lysander about his deceit, but Lysander raises doubts about her intentions and loyalty.
• Lysander then issues an ultimatum to the Moon Lords: hand over Darrow or face the consequences. The Moon Lords, however, stand united against this demand.
• Following the failed ultimatum, Lysander cuts the transmission, revealing his true intent to his allies and confirms his casus belli (justification for war).
• Suddenly, violence erupts as Lysander's forces begin bombarding the Moon Lords with weapons from the skies, causing chaos and destruction.
• The Moon Lords scramble to evacuate as the barriers and structures are barraged, while Darrow assists in supporting a collapsing structure.
• The evacuation continues into underground bunkers for safety, and the narrator, despite being injured, helps carry Gaia as they seek shelter.
• In the bunker, Diomedes, visibly traumatized, indicates a path to safety while taking charge to help those still in danger on the surface.
• The chapter concludes with the narrator carrying Gaia and reflecting on the loss of Cassius, the situation's direness, and the impact of the betrayal and violence.