Chapter 82: Trial Of Convergence! (3)
Lyra’s alert shot through the team’s communication network with urgent intensity.
"Everyone, we need to meet now. Big problem developing. Come back immediately."
The effect was instant. The scattered team members began flowing back toward the central platform with the smooth coordination that had made them Block A’s most respected unit. No time was wasted on questions or confirmation—when Lyra spoke with that tone, everyone moved.
Ren stayed in his surveillance position but shifted his attention to watching his own team’s response patterns. The sisters’ leadership abilities were about to be tested under real pressure for the first time in the trial.
Vera arrived first, her Guardian-enhanced body allowing her to cross the bridge network with surprising speed despite her increased size. She immediately began setting up a defensive perimeter around the central platform, her enhanced magical senses scanning for potential threats.
The eldest sister—Ren had heard others calling her Elena—arrived moments later with three collected fragments secured in specialized carrying equipment. Her Runner modifications had allowed her to keep collecting even while responding to the alert.
"What’s the situation?" Elena commanded as the remaining team members gathered at their position.
Lyra’s expression held the distant focus that showed active Oracle processing. When she spoke, her voice carried the weight of enhanced perception analyzing multiple probability streams at once.
"The arena is changing how fragments spawn. It’s forcing all the teams to fight each other by making fragments appear in places where we’ll have to battle for them."
She gestured toward the various islands scattered across their section of the battlefield. "Right now, there are only four really good spots to collect fragments, and all the teams will have to fight over them. We can’t just hide and collect safely anymore."
The arena was deliberately creating what military strategists call "chokepoints"—narrow areas that everyone has to pass through, guaranteeing conflict. It was like if there were only four working water fountains in a school of a thousand thirsty students—fights would be inevitable.
Elena nodded approvingly. The analysis confirmed her own tactical observations while providing additional strategic context. "How long do we have?"