The day had finally come.
Gray light filtered through the common room windows as Ashen Dawn gathered their gear. Backpacks leaned against the couch. Weapons cases were stacked by the door. Derek was doing a mental checklist for the fifth time, his lips moving silently as he counted and recounted. Sera was scrolling through her phone, but her eyes kept drifting to the window, watching the clouds shift. Mason stood by the door, arms crossed, already wearing his travelling boots.
Cora was pacing. Again.
"Will you stop that?" Sera said without looking up.
"I'm not pacing."
"You're pacing."
"I'm thinking."
"You're pacing while thinking."
Cora stopped. Glared. Then started pacing again.
Lucian sat in the corner, his twin blades across his lap, his eyes half-closed. He wasn't meditating—just waiting. The system hummed softly, content to let him be.
The door opened.
