The violent atmospheric fracture tore through the eastern staging courtyard with the screech of twisting metal.
Sentries raised their shields in defensive alarm as jagged purple lightning spiderwebbed across the morning sky.
A mangled figure tumbled out of the spatial rupture, crashing violently against the damp flagstones in a spray of purple sparks.
It was Agent Cessy, her formal Underworld uniform shredded into bloody ribbons by severe disciplinary brands.
"Clear the triage table immediately!" Vella shouted, rushing across the clinic with a tray of sterile silver needles.
"Do not move her limbs until we stabilize the severed neural links running down her spine!"
Hajin stepped forward, his arms sliding beneath her trembling shoulders to lift her gently from the rough ground.
He carried her into the shelter room, laying her down upon the clean linen pallet under the lantern light.
