"Let us all head back then. Someone call the other teams."
Aurien clapped his hands once, sharp and decisive, as if closing a chapter.
The forest, which had been alive with steel and breath not long ago, now felt almost peaceful. Leaves rustled lightly as the defeated knights gathered themselves. Some limped. Some laughed under their breath, replaying the chaos. Others remained quiet, thoughtful.
It had been nearly an hour.
An hour of running, chasing, ambushing.
An hour of adrenaline.
And that final twist.
Of course it was Aurien who had twisted it.
And apparently, for Ezra.
Now all six teams followed behind them in loose formation, voices blending into a low hum of chatter.
There was no resentment in it. Just energy. Something had shifted.
Aurien walked at the front, posture straight, hands loosely clasped behind his back as if he had merely taken them on a morning stroll.
Ezra walked just behind him.
Watching him.
