As Gerard staggered to his feet, the taste of blood mingling with the metallic scent of magic still lingered in the air. His body ached with the impact of the spell that had struck him, a powerful force that had sent him hurtling through the air like a discarded puppet.
With a groan, Gerard propped himself up on one knee, his eyes scanning the surroundings for the source of the attack. His vision cleared, revealing Leonhard, the once enigmatic researcher, standing before him with a sly grin on his face. The sunlight filtering through the canopy of trees cast an ethereal glow upon the scene, accentuating the intensity of the moment.
They were in Evergarden, Gerard's personal realm, where time seemed to slow and the boundaries of reality blurred. It was a place of respite and reflection, a haven away from the once chaotic and dangerous outside world.