Seris gathered them all.
"We don't wait," she said. "We prepare for engagement."
Riven smirked. "Finally."
Kael didn't react.
Seris pointed to the map.
"They'll strike in waves," she continued. "Refined units first. Then controlled flamebound."
Lira frowned. "They're escalating."
"Yes," Seris replied. "Which means we do too."
Her gaze landed on Kael.
"You're not just defense anymore."
Kael met her eyes.
"…I know."
Nyra spoke softly, "Then we move together."
Aelira nodded. "No separation."
Silas added, "If he breaks, we stabilize."
Riven scoffed. "Or we finish it."
Kael looked at him.
"You won't need to."
Silence followed.
The war line had been drawn.