Garion walked back into the God Gym grounds with the others following behind him.
The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
Rachel, Dahlia, and several disciples who had been resting nearby all turned at once and froze.
There were unfamiliar faces.
Rachel's eyes widened slightly as she counted them. "Garion…?"
She took a small step forward, her voice careful. "Who are these people? Weren't we the only ones on the island?"
She narrowed her eyes at the newcomers. "How can they be here?"
Before Garion could answer, the green-haired woman stepped forward.
She smiled gently.
"Dear Rachel," she said softly, her tone warm and familiar. "Did you forget about me already?"
Rachel stiffened.
That voice.
Her breath caught.
"…That voice," Rachel whispered. "It sounds just like..."
Cindor suddenly leaned in from the side, grinning widely.
"Because it is us," she said, laughing. "Surprise."
Rachel's eyes snapped open.
"…Us?" she repeated.
