Ronan stepped through the final line of trees with the node still pressed against his side.
The river base came into view through the darkness ahead. Several makeshift lanterns glowed between the tents and defensive barriers Class B had assembled earlier that morning.
Students moved around the camp carrying water, reinforcing runes, or tending to injuries from the previous battles.
Then someone noticed his emergence.
And more importantly…
"The node!"
Heads turned.
Relief spread through the camp almost instantly as students rushed toward the edge of the base. The pressure hanging over class B loosened for the first time all day.
"They got it back!"
"We still have it!"
"Holy shit…"
Ronan slowed near the center of the camp while Mira emerged behind him through the trees.
His plan had worked. It went a lot smoother than expected.
