private bool m_castInterrupted;
private string m_castLockKey;

protected override void Fire() // REPLACE
{
    // Instead of immediately firing, do an optional cast first.
    StartCoroutine(CastThen(() =>
    {
        // What used to happen directly in Fire()
        m_animator?.SetTrigger(m_fireAnimationParameter);
    }));
}

private IEnumerator CastThen(Action onCastComplete) // ADD
{
    float cast = activeAbilitySheet.castTime;

    // No cast time? Just go.
    if (cast <= 0f)
    {
        onCastComplete?.Invoke();
        yield break;
    }

    // Optionally lock actions while casting
    if (activeAbilitySheet.lockMovementWhileCasting)
    {
        // Reuse the sheet's Disabled Actions mask
        m_castLockKey = m_character.LockActions(activeAbilitySheet.disabledActionsWhileCasting);
    }

    // Optionally interrupt on damage
    m_castInterrupted = false;
    void OnDamage(CharacterBase target, DamageInputDescriptor _, EEffectVisualFlags __)
    {
        if (target == m_character) m_castInterrupted = true;
    }
    if (activeAbilitySheet.interruptOnDamage)
        GameManager.NotificationSystem.damageApplied.AddListener(OnDamage);

    // Wait out the cast
    while (cast > 0f)
    {
        if (activeAbilitySheet.interruptOnDamage && m_castInterrupted) break;
        cast -= Time.deltaTime;
        yield return null;
    }

    // Cleanup
    if (activeAbilitySheet.interruptOnDamage)
        GameManager.NotificationSystem.damageApplied.RemoveListener(OnDamage);

    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(m_castLockKey))
    {
        m_character.UnlockActions(m_castLockKey);
        m_castLockKey = null;
    }

    // If not interrupted, continue with the ability logic
    if (!(activeAbilitySheet.interruptOnDamage && m_castInterrupted))
    {
        onCastComplete?.Invoke();
    }
    else
    {
        // Cast was cancelled – stop here
        TerminateCasting();
    }
}