The morning sunlight streamed through the cracks in the curtains, waking me before the alarm could. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft light, and glanced over at Lise, who was still curled up beside me, her breathing slow and steady.
A small smile tugged at my lips; it was rare to see her so peaceful. But I knew she'd kill me if I lingered too long and skipped my morning routine.
Carefully sliding out from under the covers, I grabbed my workout clothes and quietly left the room to avoid waking her.
The cool morning air hit my face as I stepped outside, invigorating me instantly. The campus grounds were serene at this hour, the chaos of the tournament momentarily replaced by calm.
I set off on my 5 km walk, the rhythm of my steps grounding me as I focused on my breathing. The events of the past days swirled in my mind Ciara's overwhelming strength, the rogue demons, the surprise rankings but I let those thoughts drift away.
