They stepped out of the portal and onto the academy's smooth floor.
The change in the air was instant and refreshing. No fog. No toxic bite.
Students stumbled out in clusters, blinking against the bright indoor lights. Some collapsed on the spot. Others laughed so hard they cried.
Medics rushed in from the side corridors. The injured students got pulled aside first. One girl had a deep cut from a claw on her arm. There was also a boy who could hardly walk on his left leg.
Renna stretched her arms overhead until her shoulders popped.
"Finally, real ground. It's stable and fog-free. I could kiss this floor. I won't, but I could."
Emric adjusted his glasses, keeping a close eye on the medical response. "The response time is forty-seven seconds," he noted. "That's good enough. The academy's emergency procedures is clearly well-built."
Lyra slid her spear onto her back and turned to Holden.
"You're not hurt," she said. It wasn't a question.
"Never was."
