The sun was dipping low by the time Rhyka left the temple school grounds The day had flown by, the endless drills, questions, and Emmet's presence cutting the hours down until evening shadows stretched long across the stone paths He moved unhurriedly, hands loose at his sides, golden eyes flicking across the edges of the mountain village
The dojo had been repaired halfway through the day Earth mages from the village had pitched in, raising the shattered walls and reinforcing the foundation What had been torn apart by Nero's glass pillars now stood whole again, new stone mingling with old wood, dust still clinging faintly to the seams
As Rhyka approached, he slowed Someone was there
