They reached the deeper trial gate before the cult could mark burn dens. The war pact tokens remained warm under skin and gear, and Nyxara had taken forward scout with Vespera while Sable remained near Hades in the rear choke. Athena held center with Zeus and refused to loosen ranks despite the way their local customs had warped their company into something looser than a Continuum unit.
The road into the deeper gate wound through cut terrain of fallen terraces and narrow bridge-spines over ash pits. Useful ground that lent itself better to ambush.
The cult used it.
Termination glyphs brightened at both ridge lines on the run. Projected blades and ending law lashed the bridge-spines, the first volley knocking out the lead charms Nyxara had tossed and nearly taking Hermes with them. He hit the ground hard, rolled, and came up with a scalp wound bleeding down one side.
Contact left and high! Odin shouted
