Scarlett could feel someone's insistent gaze behind her, a familiar presence, making her click her tongue. "Follow me." Her voice weary, carried the unmistakable ring of authority. Her emerald eyes, sharp, despite the fatigue etched around them, swept over the chaos that still simmered across the academy grounds.
The last of the monstrous creatures had been dealt with, their bodies dissipating into foul, black smoke, but the air still tasted of ozone and miasma, a lingering stench of decay and unnatural energy.
Trixtan, his own body aching from the strain of holding down Shade and battling the monstrous creatures, swiftly moved to help his friend. Shade struggled to his feet, his limbs heavy, his movements uncoordinated. His eyes, though cleared of the deepest miasma's influence, still held a haunted, half-open look, flickering between exhaustion and a burning, desperate resolve.
