The alarm didn't stop.
It echoed across Haven, cutting through every street, every structure, every controlled space.
Kai forced himself to stand.
"…what's happening…?"
Riven didn't answer immediately.
His gaze was fixed outward.
Sharp.
Focused.
"…multiple breaches," he said.
"…outside the Veil."
Mira's flames dimmed slightly.
"…Devourers?"
"…no," Riven said.
A pause.
"…something worse."
Kai's chest tightened.
"…again with that…"
The building trembled slightly.
Not from inside—
From outside.
"…they're testing the barrier," Riven added.
Kai frowned.
"…they?"
Silence.
Then—
A voice echoed through the system.
Calm.
Controlled.
Familiar.
"—All active Echo users report to Sector Gates immediately."
Kai froze.
"…that's—"
"…Vlad," Riven said.
Mira turned toward the exit.
"…we're going."
Kai followed instinctively.
"…wait—what about—"
"…this fight isn't over," Mira said without looking back.
"…not even close."
Kai clenched his fists.
"…I know."
They moved quickly through the corridors.
The calm structure of Haven—
Now shifting into controlled chaos.
Echo users moved with urgency.
Guards positioned.
Energy barriers flickering to life.
Kai felt it.
That pressure again.
But this time—
It wasn't just one.
It was many.
"…there are a lot of them…"
Riven nodded.
"…too many."
They reached the outer sector.
And Kai saw it.
Beyond the Veil—
Shapes.
Dozens.
No—
Hundreds.
Moving.
Watching.
Waiting.
His breath caught.
"…those are Devourers…?"
"…some of them," Riven said.
Kai's stomach dropped.
"…then what are the others…?"
Silence.
Then—
Riven answered quietly.
"…the ones that lead them."