The first casualty came from Kael's side.
---
A core fighter.
---
Not weak.
Not careless.
---
Just—
outmatched.
---
The Null entities moved together now.
---
Coordinated.
---
Learning.
---
Adapting.
---
Dren roared.
---
"Hold the line!"
---
They did.
---
Barely.
---
Because now—
this wasn't control.
---
This was—
attrition.
---
And Kael—
understood something new:
---
This war—
would cost.
