You step out of the portal, sucking in a mouthful of cold night's air with relish and blinking as you try to make out any details in the darkened scene.
"Careful!"
Your foot catches on a tree root, and you lose your balance, sprawling onto the forest floor.
An enormous hand grasps you by the back of your blazer, hauling you up to your feet, in the process bringing you face-to-face with Max.
"It's Kan!" he announces. "He's back!"
There's a loud cheer from the darkness around you, and you turn around, seeing Michelle, Sonia, Val, Fritz, Romilly, and Will approaching, looking tired but cheerful.
You're soon surrounded by your classmates and the Head Boy and Girl. They seem stunned that you're alive, which you try not to think of as a slight on your capabilities.
"What happened?" Sonia demands. "Did you see Renzfal? Did you kill him?"
"What's hell like?" Will asks, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"Was Madame Cavalcade there?" Val asks suddenly.
You look down at the ground.