The disturbance came from a warehouse district.

  By the time they arrived—

  Lightning was striking wildly.

  But wrong.

  Chaotic.

  Unstable.

  Artificial.

  Grey activated Appraisal.

  Storm Crystal – Overloaded.

  At the center of the chaos stood a young mage.

  Level 16.

  Terrified.

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  Holding a cracked crystal fragment.

  "Drop it!" Grey shouted.

  The mage didn't respond.

  The crystal detonated.

  Lightning surged outward uncontrollably.

  Grey reacted instinctively.

  Storm Pulse expanded outward.

  Intercepted.

  Redirected.

  Pain lanced through his arms.

  Mana plummeted.

  Lyra moved behind him.

  Her palm pressed between his shoulder blades.

  Not unleashing.

  Stabilizing.

  The lightning bent.

  Curved.

  Coiled around Grey's control.

  The artificial storm collapsed inward.

  Silence.

  The mage dropped to their knees.

  Crying.

  Grey staggered slightly.

  Status window flickered.

  Experience Gained: Major Event ResolutionLevel Up!Level 13 → 14

  New Skill Available at Level 15.

  He exhaled.

  The crystal fragments on the ground bore a familiar insignia.

  Argent Veil.

  Lyra's voice was low.

  "They're testing urban overload scenarios."

  "With storm fragments."

  "Yes."

  Grey looked toward the city center.

  Selric wasn't here.

  Kael wasn't here.

  This was deliberate.

  He clenched his fist.

  "They're escalating."

  Lyra met his gaze.

  "So must we."