The land began to change.
Slowly. Subtly.
The sand grew lighter. Firmer. Wind carried the scent of old stone and salt. The twisted formations of the Forgotten World gave way to fractured pillars and sunken ruins — remnants of what might have once been an outpost, or a marker left behind by someone who survived.
Selene spotted it first.
A shard of black stone jutting from the ground, carved with a single glowing symbol: a spiral, crossed by a line of gold.
"Academy-made," she said, brushing sand from the base.
"Warding post?" Kieran asked.
Selene nodded. "They place them to keep weaker threats out. If we're seeing one now…"
Nova stepped past them. "Then we're close."
The day passed without a serious fight.
A few Dormant-class scavengers circled them from afar—strange lizardlike things with hollow throats and sharp tails—but none came close. The scent of old wards still lingered in the wind. Even the beasts knew better than to push too far.
Rei walked at the front this time, steady but silent. Talon limped beside him, leaning less now. His wound had sealed almost completely, thanks to Selene's careful attention and time.
"You ever take time off?" Talon asked, glancing sideways.
Rei raised a brow. "From what?"
"Being this intense."
"I don't like surprises."
Talon smiled faintly. "Maybe next Trial we'll throw you a birthday."
Rei snorted. Didn't say no.
Later, Calla walked beside Sera, handing her a waterskin without a word.
Sera took it. Drank.
Then, quietly, she said, "Thanks."
Calla blinked.
It was the first word she'd heard from her since the ruins.
She didn't press. Just nodded.
They kept walking.
Nova wandered ahead of the group, scouting terrain. Kieran caught up, walking in silence beside her.
"You think this is over?" she asked.
"This leg of it."
She nodded. "You're good at seeing when things aren't done. Guess we'll know when something's about to fall on us."
"I'll try to call it next time," Kieran said, almost smiling.
Nova didn't smile back. But her hand brushed her blade lightly, as if checking it was still there.
"You carry it well," she said. "That power of yours."
"I don't know if I'm carrying it," he replied. "Feels more like it's waiting."
"Just don't let it bury you."
Kieran nodded.
By nightfall, they crested a small ridge of rock and sand.
Ahead, the sky shimmered.
Not like heat. Like meaning.
A thin wall of light wavered in the distance — not bright, not loud, but distinct. A boundary.
The edge of the Forgotten World.
Selene stopped beside Kieran. "There," she said. "The gateway."
No one cheered. No one ran forward.
They just stood.
Breathing it in.
Alive.
They made camp that night in the shelter of the ridge, within sight of the gateway.
The stars overhead were soft and full. The wind was dry but kind.
And for the first time in days—
No one kept watch.
They slept.
Not like survivors.
But like people walking home.