Night settled over the Inner City, the cool wind moving through its stone corridors and whispering along the high ramparts. Beneath the shadow of the northern wall, five figures emerged—silent, uniformed, and deliberate.
Elara and Alina led the formation. Behind them followed Mino, Sophia, and Agni Moon, each dressed in tailored combat uniforms that blended into the muted stone. Tonight's mission was simple in concept, difficult in execution: conduct a surprise infiltration drill against the city defense army. The goal was to test their vigilance—and to remind them that complacency was a luxury Black Tortoise City could not afford.
Elara crouched low and signaled toward Alina with two fingers, then motioned to the others to hold position.
We go first. You follow after.
Luciel's training echoed in all their movements. Every hand signal, every shift of weight had meaning—directions, numbers, movement, halt. The team needed no words now.
