The forest near Leonora City remained quiet for only a short moment after Erend's arrival. The familiar stillness settled around him long just enough for him to steady his thoughts before the air shifted again.
Space distorted not far from where he stood, folding inward as a second portal tore open. Its edges flicker with controlled brown and gold earth energy before releasing Eccar into the clearing.
Eccar stepped through with a firm stride, though the moment his feet touched the ground his expression revealed more than his movement.
His face carried a grave weight, his eyes sharper than usual as they immediately met Erend's. He did not speak right away but the tension around him made it clear that what he had seen was not something easily dismissed.
A third distortion followed almost immediately after. Aesa emerged from her own portal with far less movement and stepped out into the clearing with a quiet composure that masked the same seriousness beneath.
