Aiden and Myne moved swiftly through the dense forest, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension. The faint traces of blood and the acrid smell of battle clung to the air, but they pressed forward, focused on reuniting with the others. The enemy patrol had been dealt with, but Aiden knew that such victories were fleeting. The Celestial Court was not an opponent to underestimate.
When they reached the fallback point—a secluded hollow surrounded by thick brush and natural rock formations—the rest of the team was already waiting. Kira was crouched near a small fire, her sharp eyes scanning the perimeter, while the others tended to their weapons and equipment. Relief flickered across her face as Aiden and Myne emerged from the shadows.
"That was fast," Kira remarked, standing and approaching them. "Trouble?"
