The Academy’s Heart Seal shattered.
A wave of energy pulsed outward—runes flickering, walls groaning. The Crownless had found the main ley anchor.
Lilith gathered the professors.
"The central core must be defended," she said.
Valmira nodded. "If it breaks, the entire realm folds."
We stood in the war room, blood on our robes, maps torn and half-burned.
I took a breath.
"We fight in three rings," I said. "Yuria, Seraphina, Lysara—outer defense. Valmira, Lilith—inner seal. I’ll stay at the core."
"No," Lilith said sharply. "We stay together."
I shook my head.
"We win this by letting go."