The third strike is not meant to conquer.
It is meant to provoke.
Aurora knows that before the scout finishes speaking.
"Western treeline," he pants. "Obsidian Wing units breached outer perimeter. Testing defense."
Testing.
The word sits wrong in her chest.
You test walls.
You test loyalty.
You test resolve.
You do not test lives.
"Casualties?" she asks evenly.
"Two injured," the scout replies. "Non-fatal."
Ilyra exhales sharply beside her.
"They're poking," she says.
"Yes," Aurora replies.
The web hums, not fractured, not panicked.
Alert.
Kade steps to her side.
"They want you to overextend," he says quietly.
"I won't."
"You'll want to."
"Yes."
Silence.
"They're daring you to respond with full force," he continues.
"Yes."
"And if you do?"
Aurora's jaw tightens.
"Then I validate their narrative."
The bond hums, tight, steady.
This is the difference between power and reaction.
And she cannot afford to blur it.
