Hajin stood on the shattered observation platform, leaning on his scabbard while his spiritual duplicate crouched beside the western archway.
The clone checked the western archway's exit line with one hand while Hajin watched the enemy position from the shattered platform.
Between them, the six physical Rings glowed with divided radiance, three resting on the summoner's hand and three on the clone's fingers.
"Incoming patrol from the northern gulley," the clone reported, its voice calm and steady across their spiritual tether.
"Forty heavy infantry, four battle mages, and a lieutenant clad in mirrored plate."
"He sees our divided aura," Hajin remarked with a faint, dangerous smirk.
"He thinks cutting my power in half makes me an easy target for his promotion."
Down on the approach road, the mirrored lieutenant raised his halberd, signaling his detachment to form an echelon wedge.
"Surround the perimeter!" the lieutenant bellowed, his voice amplified by a brass speaking horn.
