Gradually, the relentless tumble of rocks slowed. Smaller boulders had been smashed or diverted, larger ones cracked and shattered, and the mountainside fell silent except for the occasional rumble of settling stone. Dust and smoke hung in the air, coating the academy grounds in a fine layer of ash and grit.
Students were scattered across the courtyard, many collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. Some leaned on each other for support, breathing heavily, faces streaked with dirt and sweat. Even dragons, their wings still trembling from exertion, curled their massive bodies onto the stone floors, tails wrapped protectively around themselves as they rested. A few emitted low, rumbling breaths, smoke curling faintly from nostrils, their eyes half-lidded in weariness.
