The attack came thirty-six hours later, exactly as Seria had predicted.
Not the location she'd calculated – the demons had apparently learned that human tactical analysis was improving – but close enough that response forces could deploy rapidly.
The eastern merchant district. Peak trading hours. Maximum civilian casualties if not contained quickly.
Seria was coordinating guard response from the command center when the runner arrived, breathless and terrified.
"Captain! The demons – there's hundreds of them – organized formations – they're cutting through the market guard like paper – "
"How many hundreds?" She was already moving, grabbing her swords, her armor.
"At least three hundred. Maybe more. And Captain – " The runner's voice shook. " – there's something else. Something bigger. Leading them."
[MAJOR DEMON ATTACK: INITIATED]
[THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME]
