The air outside the portal was clearer than the stifling tension within it—cool, tinged. The shimmering veil behind Caspian gave a low hum before dissolving with a faint hiss.
The portal closed behind him.
A soft breeze rustled the long coat on his back, now stained faintly with sweat and dried blood.
He glanced to his side—Fianna was already stretching her arms, her breath steady. Her hair was slightly tousled, a few strands stuck to her cheek.
Neither of them said anything.
Caspian's eyes flicked toward the color-coded emblem still glowing faintly of the portal: Green
"Three months," he muttered under his breath.
Fianna glanced at him. "Hmm?"
"Green rank portals… they stay dormant the longest," Caspian said. "About three months before they collapse. Longest delay before the monsters start pouring out."
"Oh," she said. "And that's why most guilds don't care about them early?"
