territorial-fragmentation

Gordon prepares for and embarks on a perilous expedition from Corvallis through increasingly dangerous territory toward southern Oregon, accompanied by a Council-mandated escort including Bokuto. Along the way, they encounter signs of brutal conflict, devastated towns, and wary southern settlements, revealing the fractured and hostile post-apocalyptic landscape shaped by Holnist invaders and survivalist factions. Gordon's journey highlights the tenuous hold of civilization, the psychological toll of war, and the regional divisions that complicate efforts to resist the encroaching barbarism.