The word "Now" had barely finished echoing from Anvil-Horn's lips when Starforge moved.
The kill corridors awakened. Formation anchors flared in sequence. Healers took two steps back to their assigned cover. Couriers disappeared into routes they had memorized until their dreams could walk them.
And then the Alloykins surged.
Above, Condoriano blocked the breach. His true Sky Condor form filled the air with a shadow that even Celestial Realm Alloykins looked up instinctively and swallowed their pride for half a breath.
Half a breath was all they gave themselves.
A dozen Celestial Alloykins rose in a loose ring around the Condor. Their expressions were still calm, the way experienced executioners grew bored of pleading.
One of them flexed his fingers and metallic filaments unfolded from his forearm like a cloak of blades.
"An Eternal beast," he said, amused. "We will need a minute."
Another laughed quietly. "A minute is generous. Resonance disperses everything. Even your kind."
