[Celestial Academy — Side Corridor — 10:49 AM]
Raven knew where Alex was.
Not through the communicators — those had been silent for three minutes since the administrative wing corridor became a combat zone.
"Grim arrived," she said quietly.
"But Alex is still there with that boy and the necklace and corruption at 91%."
"I'm going to him."
---
Twelve Inquisitors in the side corridor.
Not the level 68‑75 ones she had been holding off.
These were different — Cael's reserve squad, the ones he hadn't sent first because he hadn't needed them yet.
Levels 74 to 82.
Closed formation, no gaps between them, occupying the corridor from wall to wall.
Raven evaluated the formation.
She tried to advance.
The center Inquisitor — level 82, scars on his neck that weren't decorative — extended his hand, and a strange energy came out of him.
[Magical Containment Barrier — advanced level]
