[Level Four — 2:31 PM]
The point was behind the Veil.
Alex looked at it.
The Veil looked at him.
Neither moved for two seconds.
Then Alex looked at Maya.
Maya looked back at him.
No words were exchanged.
None were needed.
---
Maya made a gesture to Akari.
Just one.
Akari extended all nine tails.
All nine tails extended in a position that showed she was ready to attack.
Level Four wasn't the best terrain for Nine-Tails Inferno — enclosed space, limited oxygen, a structure that could give way. Maya knew that.
That's why she didn't release it fully.
She held it back.
[Nine-Tails Inferno — CONTAINED — 40% output]
Infernal heat without visible flames.
The air on the north flank compressing, becoming dense — the kind of heat that doesn't burn directly but makes being in that space unsustainable.
The Heralds on the north flank retreated.
The Veil felt the change in temperature.
He turned slightly — one degree, his bearer's instinct evaluating a new threat.
Enough.
