Later that evening, Renzo returned to Nova Tower, bruised but alive.
Kael stood waiting at the landing platform.
"You fought it alone?" Kael asked, scanning Renzo's battered uniform.
Renzo nodded. "Third Wielder level. It was intelligent. It changed mid-fight."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Was it a fractured beast?"
"Not just fractured," Renzo said, locking eyes with him. "It was like… it was made to test us."
Kael said nothing for a moment. Then he turned to the others—Kaito, Azephon, Liora—all already gathered in the command chamber.
Renzo continued. "And after it died… its energy didn't fade. It sent a signal."
Azephon frowned. "Then it wasn't the vanguard… it was a sensor."
Liora stepped forward. "They're checking the waters. Seeing if we're ready."
Kaito added, "And they'll keep sending more, stronger ones, until they know for sure."
Kael looked toward the horizon—toward the stars.
"It's starting."
He looked back at Renzo, pride in his eyes but also concern.
"You did well," Kael said. "But next time… you're not going alone."