We went to the gym.
The Academy's training facility was already alive with activity despite the early hour. Raphael was already there, his explosive power leaving scorch marks on the reinforced walls. So was Celeste, practicing her ice constructs with mechanical precision in the far corner. Noah stood like a statue near her charge, amber eyes tracking every movement in the room.
Skylar sat on the weight bench, scrolling through her phone with that perpetual look of bored disinterest. Even Emi showed up with a medical kit slung over her shoulder, her blue hair still mussed from sleep but her eyes bright with concern.
"Group effort?" I asked, genuinely surprised by the turnout.
"Shut up and get on the mat," Natalia said, already stretching.
The next twelve hours were hell.
