Moments later,

Author

The warning bell at Obsidian University rang for the third time, shrill and frantic, cutting through the chatter of students packing their bags. The sky above the western gorge had turned the color of bruised iron, and smoke was already curling over the treeline, thick and black.

Chloe stood frozen in the courtyard, her travel pack slung over one shoulder, Julian and Elias beside her.

'SYSTEM ALERT - Hostile force detected. Threat level - CRITICAL. Recommended action - Immediate evacuation to designated safe zone. Follow scripted retreat path.'

The words glowed bright blue in her vision, sharp and impossible to ignore - exactly as they always had....