A series of warm-ups, stretches, and laps around the training grounds burned the night from their muscles. No one was sent to fetch water. No one asked why. The drum stayed empty.
Lucian hadn't seen any creatures. Hadn't heard any wails in the dark. His shoulders loosened by a fraction. Then tensed again when the wind shifted. Fear didn't leave. It just learned to wait.
Now they were marching toward the cliffs for climbing drills. No formation. Just a loose, tired bunch.
Lucian and Sapphire walked far apart, with Kealor and Nirro between them like a buffer zone. Since the fight, words had dried up. They just existed in each other's space and pretended it didn't burn.
Instructor Ryven waited at the ropes. He didn't greet them. He didn't have to. He pointed. They climbed.
Kealor went first, hauling Sapphire up behind him. First climb for Sapphire. Lucian watched Sapphire's boots slip twice before Kealor locked his arm and pulled him over the edge.
When Sapphire reached the top, Lucian stepped forward. Jex was his partner again. Jex wasn't crying this time. He just stared at the wall like it might stare back.
Lucian picked up the dropped ropes, handed one over.
"Don't look down," he said.
Jex nodded.
Lucian began ascending. Jex followed behind, breathing too loud.
At the top, Sapphire and Kealor stood at the edge, taking in the view. Mountains, valleys, sloping forest. Kealor's hair danced in the wind.
Then Kealor shot upright.
"Kira. It's Kira!" He beamed, arm shooting out.
Lucian froze mid-pull on the rope. He followed Kealor's finger.
A small figure was moving toward them across the training field. Kira.
Sapphire didn't hesitate. He turned, descending the otherside, boots hitting dirt before Lucian could blink.
Kira stopped before Ryven. Eyes down. Quiet. The same Kira who had been thrown into the crevices for three days and a half.
Ryven scaled her for three seconds, then jerked his chin.
"Go join them."
Kira nodded and moved toward the group. Nirro was first. He gave her a small nod, a small smile. "Glad you're back," the smile said.
Kira smiled back, small and real.
"Kira!" Sapphire crashed into her with a hug that nearly knocked her over. Her head barely cleared his chest. His arms locked around her like he was scared she'd dissolve if he let go
"You're okay," he breathed. To her. To himself. Lucian couldn't tell.
Kira hugged him back just as tight. Tears hit her eyes and stayed there.
Before she could breathe, Kealor yanked her into another hug. He rubbed his cheek against her hair like an overgrown cat.
"Kira! I— we were so worried. I thought we'd never see you again."
Kira laughed through it. Watery, but real.
"And Lucian?" she asked, looking past them.
Sapphire went deaf. Kealor laughed too loud. Nirro just tapped her shoulder and pointed.
Lucian was still on the wall. Halfway up. He hadn't moved since he saw her. Jex was below him, shaking in fear. Unaware of what his partner was doing or feeling.
"Stop haggling about and continue your training," Ryven's voice cracked across the yard like a whip.
The reunion died instantly.
The yard snapped back to order. Ropes creaked. Boots scuffed stone.
Kira wiped her eyes fast and stared at the cliff face. She'd never climbed before. Everyone else had at least fallen once. She'd been gone for three days.
"Pair up," Ryven called. "No one climbs alone."
Nirro was still untied. He hadn't gone up yet when Kira arrived. He glanced at Ryven, then at Kira. No words. He just stepped beside her, knelt, and started looping the rope through her harness at her waist.
His fingers were careful. Precise. He tugged the strap twice to check, then tapped her shoulder once. Meaning: ready?
Kira blinked. "I don't— I don't know how."
Nirro didn't answer. He stood, pressed two fingers to the wall, then to the foothold. Copy me. He put his boot there and shifted his weight.
Kira copied him. Her first step off the ground shook. Her second shook worse. Halfway up, her arms started trembling.
She slipped.
The rope snapped taut. Nirro was already below her, one hand locked on the rope, the other braced at her ankle before she even dropped an inch. He didn't yank her up. He just held. Steady. Immovable.
He looked up at her. Met her eyes for one second. Then tapped her calf twice. Breathe. He mimed a slow inhale, exhale.
Kira nodded. Sweat slid down her temple. She inhaled. Gripped the rock again. Inch by inch.
Lucian watched from his rope, Jex still fidgeting below him. He told himself he was watching Jex's form. He was lying.
Sapphire and Kealor stayed below, watching. Worried for Kira, but she was with Nirro. That brought them ease.
Kira finally reached the top and clung to it like it was the only solid thing left. Nirro followed after.
Kira's leg gave out from fright. Nirro sat down beside her. Didn't touch. Just stayed there, close enough that she could feel him. Until she calmed down.
When she finally looked at him, he gave one short nod. Small. Proud. Like she'd moved a mountain instead of climbed three meters.
Kira let out a shaky laugh.
Nirro didn't smile. But the corner of his mouth twitched. He reached up and brushed a fleck of stone dust off her sleeve.
Ryven watched without comment.
Lucian, who had already climbed to the top, sat at the edge. Waiting for Jex as he scrambled up. Lucian's gaze flicked to Kira for half a second. She was flushed, hair stuck to her forehead, looking at Nirro like he was the only solid ground she had.
Lucian looked away fast. Back at the mountains.