Shredica's POV
I walked through the courtyard at an unhurried pace, the stone tiles beneath my boots faintly cool despite the morning light spilling down from above. The air carried the familiar scent of dust, steel, and lingering mana. From where I stood, I could already see them. The heroes, I mean.
They were back.
Back in the open grounds, back under the sun, back where they belonged, weapons in hand and bodies in motion.
They had returned to training.
At first glance, it almost looked normal, as if nothing had happened. Blades clashed. Magic flared briefly before being reined in. Shouts echoed across the courtyard as well as commands, corrections, as well as encouragement. Their movements were stiff in places, cautious in others, but undeniably real. They were training again.
It had been a full week since that incident.
A week since everything had gone wrong.
And yet, here they were.
