( Elena's POV )
"Master!" I shout, my bubbly energy completely evaporating as absolute panic takes over. I look at Master Kaelen, and for the first time ever, I see a flicker of genuine concern shatter his stone-wall face. He gives me a sharp, urgent nod.
"Move!" he commands.
We break into a full sprint, our boots hammering against the stone floor as we rush out of the training arena and tear toward Big Brother Lucian's wing of the palace.
Mirael, seeing our terrified expressions, tucks her wooden sword under her arm and scrambles to keep up right behind us.
"What could it possibly be?!" I wheeze out, my heavy red armor clanking loudly with every stride.
Master Kaelen's pace never falters, but I notice his hand tighten slightly around the hilt at his waist.
His expression stays calm, yet the pressure radiating off him feels suffocatingly sharp.
