Inside the sheltered clinic basement, the bronze bands orbiting Hajin's soul separated with a sharp celestial chime while Didi watched from the nearby cot.
Outside the basement, the last clinic sentry dragged a barricade across the stairwell while district patrols moved past the distant fires through the night.
Five shimmering rings converged around the original summoner, while a single radiant ring detached and flared with independent physical manifestation.
From the glowing mist, an identical duplicate stepped onto the flagstones, clad in identical leather vestments and carrying the same steady posture.
"I am dividing my authority for the night watch," the original explained, adjusting his bracers as the squad gathered around the threshold.
"The original five rings follow Didi out to the exposed boundary route, while this single-ring clone remains here."
