Chapter 1455: Chapter 1455: Shattered Unity

The dawn was a pale sliver on the horizon when Kael stood before the gathered leaders of the Academy. Around him were the fractured remnants of what had once been a unified council. Arathis and Elira, the most senior members, had called this emergency meeting to address the emissary's attack. Tension was thick in the air, heavier even than the shadows that had assaulted them the previous night.

"This is no longer a question of if the True Shadow will strike again," Kael said, his voice steady but edged with exhaustion. "It's a question of when. And next time, we might not have the strength to repel it."

Arathis, his graying beard twitching with every word, folded his arms. "You're asking us to risk everything on the hope that the enclaves and the Arcanum will join us. They haven't trusted the Academy for centuries, Kael. Why would they start now?"