The war council chamber was filled with tension.
Maps covered the long stone table, marked with red ink and scattered tokens representing Orc movements. Generals, mages, and captains argued in low, urgent voices, their faces drawn from exhaustion.
Hilga stood among them, her golden armor dimmed but still radiant. She listened.
"We cannot hold the southern wall for more than two days at this rate," one captain said. "Their numbers keep increasing."
A robed mage slammed his staff lightly against the ground. "It's not just numbers. The Rift is still active. They are not coming from our world alone anymore."
General Varos turned to Hilga. "My Lady, we need your judgment. You have seen the outside. How bad is it?"
Hilga's eyes hardened.
"Worse than you think. The Orcs are not acting like beasts. They are coordinated. Something is leading them."
Murmurs spread across the room.
"A commander?" someone asked.
