A week had passed since the night of battle at Misty Mountains.
In that time, the world hadn't slowed at all - not on Earth, and certainly not in the Magik Realm. But for the first time since everything began, there was a fragile sense of direction… a path forward that didn't rely on guesswork or blind survival.
Rune finally returned. After days of handling the aftermath of Carter Thown's defeat - securing the underground base, overseeing interrogations, coordinating with the High Lord, and ensuring no remnants of that hidden organization slipped through the cracks - he had stepped back through the portal.
Now, the five of them were gathered in the living room.
Grace sat at the center of it all, looking calm but attentive, while Davian leaned back against the arm of the couch with his arms crossed and eyes narrowed in focus.
