Skid. Skid.
Two pairs of boots scraped against broken concrete at the edge of the devastation. Byron and Zane had arrived—Byron's face pale behind his Gold Tier wristband, Zane's eyes wide as dinner plates as he surveyed the cratered street, the collapsed buildings, the lingering haze of residual energy that still shimmered in the air.
Mira stood between them, glasses catching the moonlight, expression unreadable.
"What the fuck happened here?" Byron's voice cracked on the second word. "This looks like a Mana Heart cultivator went on a rampage."
Kael didn't look at him.
"Where's Sage?"
Mira adjusted her glasses. "She's fine. Her bloodline's healing factor kicked in about ten minutes ago. Second-degree burns were already closing when I left her. She'll wake up within the hour."
Kael exhaled.
The tension in his shoulders loosened.
Byron stepped forward, mouth opening, indignation building—
Kael's hand landed on his shoulder.
Byron froze.
