The fracture does not end the war.
It clarifies it.
Half of Obsidian Wing now stands under provisional governance within the Stability Council.
Half has vanished west.
And vanished wolves are more dangerous than visible ones.
Aurora feels it the moment the ridge empties.
The web hums, lighter in one direction.
Heavier in another.
Belief did not dissolve.
It relocated.
The western territories go silent first.
Trade routes report no patrol sightings.
Coven scouts return with nothing but ash where minor radical camps once stood.
They didn't disband.
They mobilized.
"They're consolidating," Darius says during emergency council.
"Yes," Aurora replies.
"They'll need demonstration of strength after Kael's split," Selene adds.
"And they'll choose symbolic target," Ilyra says grimly.
Silence stretches.
"They will not strike sanctuary first," Kael says quietly from his seat.
All eyes turn to him.
"Why?" Mara asks.
