Chapter 91: Welcome Awakened
We move steadily toward the academy, every step feeling easier than the last. The landscape around us is a vast, sprawling plain of lush, rolling fields, dotted with scattered trees that sway gently in the breeze. It’s a stark contrast to the icy hellscape we’ve left behind vivid green grass stretching endlessly, unbroken by snow or frost. The air is warm here, almost balmy, and I can feel the weight of fear pressing against my chest evaporate. We’re finally nearing the academy.
Lucian falls into step beside me, his eyes flickering with quiet intensity. Without a word, he initiates the link his presence slipping into my mind like a shadow. I blink, allowing it. How funny we’ve grown accustomed to this telepathic link we have.
Do we mention the monster? Lucian’s voice echoes softly inside my head, the question clear.
I sneer, a cold, bitter smile curling my lips. "Of course," I reply. "How else are we going to explain our injuries? Not to mention that eighty percent of our house is dead." The words taste like ash in my mouth, and I feel the weight of them settle into the silence between us.
Lucian’s mental nod is almost imperceptible but solid. Thought so. Just wanted to check with you first.
I smile, a little grim, a little cold. "Yes, I appreciate that," I say, ending the connection as we keep walking.
Imara, on the other hand, is practically buzzing with excitement. She’s chattering nonstop her voice high and animated, her eyes shining with happiness. "Can you believe it? We actually made it! The dragons still live, the academy’s really in front of us! After everything, we’re finally here!" She’s practically bouncing on her heels, her hands gesturing wildly as she babbles about how incredible it is that they survived the mountains, that they’re still alive. Her joy is contagious, even if I’m still trying to process the flood of emotions inside me.