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