Morning light spilled across the courtyard before most of the sect had fully woken. Adams stood on the terrace with his hands resting on the stone railing, watching the forces he had called take their places below. Eren adjusted the weight of his scythe. Garrick checked the string on his bow one last time. Hela rolled her shoulders, the massive blade already resting against her back. The core members of the J's formed up in clean ranks. The Seven Deadly Sins stood apart from the others, each presence distinct and heavy. Anderson waited a few steps behind Adams, heat already rising from his skin.
Mabel, Inara, Akira, Nyx, Lilith, Aveline, and Naomi stood with him. None of them spoke. They had all felt the shift the night before when the summons went out.
Adams kept his voice even. "Eren, Garrick, Hela — you take the first forward zone. The loyal gods reported pressure near the old crossroads altars. Clear whatever has moved in and send a clear message. No drawn-out talks."
