As the portal shimmered behind them and collapsed into nothingness, the four found themselves standing in a realm unlike any they had ever seen.
The air was dense with life—but not ordinary life. Liquid mana streamed through the roots of trees like veins under translucent bark, glowing softly in shades of violet and azure. The ground pulsed with a gentle heartbeat, the soil itself alive with arcane rhythm. Above them, floating motes of light danced between branches of massive trees that stretched beyond sight.
"This place…" Guinevere breathed out, stunned. "It's… alive."
Ethan bent down, brushing his fingers against a patch of glowing moss. "There's more mana in the soil here than an entire academy vault."
Lila narrowed her eyes. "We're not in Arcanis anymore."
Morris frowned, scanning the perimeter. "Where the hell did Aether send us?"
They didn't have to wait long for an answer.
A sharp whistle cut through the silence, followed by the subtle twang of bowstrings.
