A sharp siren noise tore Nathan from a deep sleep.
For a quick, confusing second, he thought it was a dream. The loud wail cut through the apartment like a knife, rising and falling in the exact pattern of a TCA emergency alarm. Then his system screen flashed to life. Red warnings filled his vision, and he was on his feet before his mind fully woke up.
[CRITICAL ALERT: Multiple Tower Collapses detected across the outer regions.]
[All active Climbers report to their guild halls immediately.]
[This is not a drill.]
[Repeat: This is not a drill.]
The room was a mess of rapid motion. Lucy was sitting up in bed, her eyes wide with fear next to her blinking nightlight. Mirko, Kuro, and Shiro had already changed into their human forms. Mirko's green armor locked into place, Kuro's daggers caught the red alarm light, and Shiro's golden eyes locked onto the danger.
"Master!" Mirko's voice was sharp. She was totally awake. "The alerts—"
