Chapter 428: The Aftermath of Fire and Fear
The clearing was heavy with the scent of blood, sweat, and cold air, and the echoes of battle still hung faintly in the frost-bitten silence. Gregory moved briskly among the fallen trainees, his hands steady and precise despite the exhaustion that weighed down his own limbs. Beside him, Ethan, Jeffrey, and Darek worked in tandem, checking pulses, adjusting bandages, and offering whispered words of reassurance.
None of the trainees could stand upright. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, hearts pounding, and muscles shaking from both fear and adrenaline. Dren's chest rose and fell violently as he tried to calm himself, sweat dampening the front of his tunic despite the cold. Ethan chuckled quietly at the sight, kneeling beside him and resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You did good, Dren," Ethan said, voice light, almost teasing.
