The sea wind carried the scent of salt and smoke as the Stormcleaver limped into harbor. Zephyr stepped onto the pier, boots heavy with seawater, the Abyssal Gate's shadows still clinging to his mind. He barely had time to catch his breath before the system pulsed again.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Warlords Remaining: 4/7
Current Realm Stability: 82%
Status: High Threat — Enemy Coordination Detected.
Directive: Prepare for simultaneous assaults.
Mira's expression darkened as she read the projected glyphs over Zephyr's shoulder.
> "They're uniting," she murmured. "It's never happened before."
> "Good," Zephyr said flatly. "Makes it easier to hit them all in one place."
> "No," Seraphina corrected, stepping up beside him. "It means they're done underestimating you. This will be war on their terms."
---
Cut to the Warlord Council
