The mountain trembled, a deafening roar rolled across the valley as dozens of disciples rushed toward the eastern watchtower, alarm bells echoed through Soul Cross Sect, each strike louder than the last.
"Enemy breach!"
"The barrier has been damaged!"
"All inner disciples report immediately!"
Seraph Skye shot out of his courtyard without hesitation. His robe fluttered behind him as he leaped from rooftop to rooftop. Halo's familiar voice rang inside his mind.
[Warning. Multiple hostile signatures detected.]
"How many?"
[Forty-three outside the barrier. Seven have already crossed inside.]
Seraph's eyes narrowed.
"That's impossible. The defensive formation should have detected them."
[It did. Someone disabled a section from within.]
A traitor.
His expression darkened.
The realization barely settled before a violent explosion erupted near the western residence halls. Flames climbed into the night sky, illuminating terrified disciples fleeing in every direction.
