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Dawn broke pale and grey over the jagged ridge where the Restoration Council had built their stronghold - ancient stone overgrown with shadow-moss, ringed by seven spires each marking one of the anchor altars that fed the door. The air hummed with thick, thrumming magic, like a plucked string stretched too tight.

Aria stood at the edge of the tree line, her blade drawn, Malphas at her right hand. Below them, the Zodiac moved like shadows - Capricorn and Scorpio leading the infiltration teams toward the altars, Leo coordinating the vanguard, Aquarius relaying signals through the bond network.

“Signal check,” Aria said quietly into the comms rune at her...