The alarms erupted across Firelonia.
At the southern walls, Veylara was already in command—armor on, blades drawn, issuing orders as dark shapes moved through the Ash Plains.
The fire dimmed unnaturally.
"Commander Veylara!" a scout shouted. "The flames won't hold!"
"I see it," she answered. "Hold formation. Mages—prepare light shields!"
She was pinned to her post—exactly where she should be.
In the strategy chamber, Queen Naelith stood over the war map as the alarms echoed through the hallways.
A captain rushed in.
"Your Majesty—the southern wall is darkening. Commander Veylara is already engaged."
Naelith nodded sharply.
"And the Sun King?"
"He hasn't been informed yet."
"Send for him. Now."
She remained in the chamber until Bao Bao arrived—no garden scene, no movement of location. This is the fixed timeline.
Bao Bao entered at once, half-armored, Sunblade glowing.
"What happened? Where is Veylara?"
Naelith saw the reaction.
It hit her harder than the alarm.
"She's holding the southern wall. And the enemy may be something we have never faced."
Bao Bao hesitated only for a heartbeat.
Then sprinted out.
Naelith stayed behind for a moment—hurt, but composed—before she followed with her personal guard.
When the Queen reached the southern battlements, the sky was already filled with swirling smoke-like shadows.
Soldiers cleared space as Naelith stepped onto the wall platform.
"Commander Veylara!" she called over the chaos.
Veylara turned, exhausted and fighting, but saluted when she saw the Queen.
"Your Majesty. The enemy smothers flame. We're barely holding."
Naelith walked closer, voice level but tense.
"You knew the Sun King would rush to your side the moment he heard."
Veylara stiffened.
"He rushed because the threat is real—"
"He rushed because of you," Naelith cut in, without raising her voice.
Both women were now in the same physical location—the southern wall, where the battle was happening. No contradictions.
Their confrontation was tense, quiet, and real.
Before either could speak again—
A wave of black energy slammed into the wall.
Soldiers screamed.
Flames died.
The Starless Legion entered the capital.
Bao Bao landed on the wall seconds later, flames blazing brighter than anything there.
He saw Veylara's unit pushed back.
He saw Naelith defending the left flank.
"Veylara!" he shouted as he fought his way toward her.
She turned, relieved but shocked.
"How did you—"
"I'm not letting you face this alone!"
At the same time, he saw Naelith fighting behind him—alone, furious, and brilliant.
His heart twisted—two flames pulling him apart.
But now, all three characters were exactly where they should be:
• Veylara at the southern wall
• Bao Bao rushing to help her
• Naelith reaching the wall after him
• Their confrontation happening in the same real-time battlefield
No gardens, no teleportation, no contradictions.
---
Council Fracture (Unchanged, but consistent)
Inside the palace, the Council splintered—Sorell leading the rebellion's spark, Jerrin countering, Elder Yura watching it unfold.
None of this disrupts physical continuity.