The clearing changed the moment Nymarielle accepted. Not violently.It changed the way an ocean changes when the tide turn, inevitable and absolute.
Luna stepped back first, already weaving sigils through the air with calm efficiency. Golden-green runes flared briefly around the perimeter of the clearing, sinking into the soil, the trees, the stones themselves. Layered containment arrays. Spatial reinforcement. Mana redirection.
"Academy-grade wards won't survive what she's about to do," Luna said lightly, though her eyes gleamed with anticipation, "So I brought my own."
Albedo felt it then—, he boundaries locking into place, the space subtly separating from the rest of the world. Sound dampened. The air thickened. Even light bent differently, as though the clearing had become a pocket reality loosely stitched to the Academy grounds.
He rolled his shoulders once, Havoc and Ruin materializing at his sides more out of instinct than intent. "Friendly," he reminded himself.
