Hundreds of Keepers began to burn.
The basin darkened.
Every black robe standing on the inner slope placed a hand over the place where a heart should have been, and the bent array answered them.
Their bodies cracked open.
The six instructions spread from them like black veins, reaching toward the empty center of the basin.
The final array prepared its next heartbeat.
Across the battlefield, every allied formation felt the pressure gather.
Lucien stood at the front.
"All rings, hold formation."
His voice echoed.
"Celestials, protect the living first. Do not waste strength contesting the full pulse."
The Celestials adjusted immediately.
Light withdrew from outer ornaments and banners, then condensed around healer lines, wounded zones, and exhausted assault teams.
"Lunarians, still the ground beneath our people. Do not still the pulse itself."
Moonlight tightened.
The basin continued shaking, but the allied positions stopped sliding.
