"That's not normal," someone muttered.
"Yeah," the scout agreed. "That's why we are here."
Ervin moved between groups, fast but calm. "Outer ring first. No hero moves. You see something shift, you call it. You don't chase."
A Terranox warrior snorted. "Good. Chasing's how people die."
Ren glanced at Nyxa. "You staying close?"
"I'm not going anywhere," she said. No drama. Just fact.
Elara was already with a small unit near the eastern wall, sleeves rolled, posture relaxed but alert. Seroi stood a few steps behind her, speaking quietly to a commander from Solara. Maps were being unrolled on the stone floor, weighted down with knives and gauntlets.
"This isn't an invasion," the Solaran said. "Not yet."
"Doesn't matter," Seroi replied. "If it crosses the line, we treat it like one."
A sharp cry cut through the air.
Everyone froze.
