A loud crash jolted Lara awake. She sat up, her heart pounding, and looked around. The room was empty, Mira, Seralyn, and Liam were gone.
She rose from the bed and went to the window. Sunlight poured in, bright and hot, and she realized it was nearly noon.
She frowned. Why did I sleep so long? she wondered.
She pressed a hand to her temple, still sensing the faint hum of the Guardian's presence.
Another sound came from outside, shouts, running footsteps, and the clatter of metal. Something was happening in the village.
She stepped outside and blinked at the brightness. The air smelled of baked bread and dry grass. In the village square, laughter echoed — children were darting between houses, waving sticks and colorful ribbons.
It was the Harvest Game.
