The skies over Verdant Hollow churned with unnatural hues—twists of violet and crimson rippled across the clouds as five spatial rifts tore reality apart above the southern cliffs. Like blooming wounds in the sky, each portal exhaled violent energy, distorting the air and drawing distant thunder even where no storms brewed.
Riku stood on the upper balcony of the main tower, his coat fluttering as system alerts flooded his interface.
> [Alert: Spatial Anomaly Confirmed] [Invading Force Count: 24] [Hostile Classification: Tier-S Cadets, Academy Enforcement Units, Arcane Scout Division]
> [System Recommendation: Activate Territory Defense Systems | Engage with Caution]
Kira burst through the door, dual daggers already drawn and gleaming with runes.
"They're coming in fast. I saw teleport sigils activating mid-air. Air-drop assault." She looked over her shoulder. "They're not pulling punches."
