The descent from the ridge was calm, almost uneventful. The forest paths leading away from the ruins felt clearer than before, as if the island itself no longer needed to watch them so closely.
Lyra walked point, alert but relaxed. "No pressure. No hostile presence."
Sophia glanced around, sensing the flow of mana. "The ambient energy is stable. Star Island has returned to a dormant state."
Caria let out a breath. "I'll take quiet over dramatic any day."
Aria adjusted her pack. "That doesn't mean it's done reacting. It just means we're no longer part of its active process."
Puddle floated beside Rhys. "Island sleeping now?"
"For now," Rhys replied. "But it remembers us."
They reached the shoreline by midday. Their transport waited where they had left it, untouched. No signs of interference. No traps.
Caria tapped the side of the vessel. "Still here. That's a relief."
Sophia boarded first and checked the systems. "Everything is functional."
