Arden stood there, half-absorbed in the glowing interface still lingering in the corner of his vision.
His mind traced every word, every effect of this new realm he had just stepped into. Life Echo. It hummed faintly through his chest, steady, patient, like it had been waiting for him all along.
He was only pulled out of his thoughts when Rael jabbed him in the side.
"There he goes again. Phasing out after a fight like the rest of us don't exist."
Nyra crossed her arms and shook her head. "He's hopeless. You'd think after a victory like that he'd at least try to look happy."
Zephyra's deep voice rumbled, more a growl than speech. "Always drifting."
Arden blinked, then gave a crooked grin. "Well excuse me for thinking. Someone's got to stay sharp while the rest of you are busy grinning like fools."
But the banter was warm, familiar. They pulled him into the chants that still carried through the square, their names echoing from the crowd.
