INVASION DAY - DAWN + TWO HOURS - THE EASTERN WALL
The first wave hit like a TSUNAMI.
Two thousand soldiers. Siege ladders. Battering rams. MAGIC.
Our defenders held the wall—barely. Arrows flew. Oil burned. People SCREAMED.
I stood at the command post with Valeria, coordinating defenses through both conventional means AND the anchor connection.
*"Western wall is holding,"* one anchor—Council Member Helena—reported through the network. *"But they're concentrating forces. Testing for weakness."*
*"Southern gate under HEAVY assault,"* Marcus's thought. *"We need reinforcements—"*
*"Sending third battalion,"* Valeria responded both aloud and through thought. The anchor connection made coordination INSTANTANEOUS. Perfect communication. No delays. No miscommunication.
It was our ONLY advantage against superior numbers.
"They're pulling back!" a soldier shouted.
The first wave RETREATED. Leaving bodies. Broken equipment. BLOOD.
We'd held. Barely.
"Casualties?" I demanded.
