The ground split open three miles from Bloodfang territory.

Marina felt it through her shadow magic before the sentries' warning howls reached them. A tear in reality itself, ancient power bleeding into the world like poison from a wound.

"He's here," Obsidian said, his voice tight with something Marina had never heard from him before. Fear. "The First Wolf is manifesting faster than any prophecy predicted."

Silvain was already moving, barking orders to his warriors, organizing evacuation protocols for the elderly and young. But Marina grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"This isn't something we fight with warriors," she said. "Listen to what Obsidian isn't saying. This is a judgment, not...