The central administrative rotunda smelled of burnt copper, pulverized drywall, and the cold draft whistling down from the floating monolith.
Forty feet above the marbled floor, the master lunch-bell horn hung from the vaulted trusses, glowing with dark purple resonance.
In the infirmary annex, Vasa monitored three glowing digital feeds on her tactical console, holding a warm compress against her bruised ribs.
"Relay Node Alpha in the cafeteria is completely silent," the frost specialist reported over the command channel.
"Relay Node Beta in the gymnasium was severed two minutes ago by Kendra and Jax."
"Only Relay Node Gamma remains active above the central rotunda," the First Player stated, looking up at the dangling horn.
"Once this master line is cut, the warden's psychological broadcasts will die across the entire district."
"I am in position on the second-tier balcony," the dark-haired striker whispered over the comms crystal.
