Duel?

The abrupt disappearance of the gate seemed to leave a gaping hole in the sky. The morning felt unnaturally quiet without the soft hum of mana, and even the sunlight seemed dimmer without the swirling bursts of light that had emanated from the gate.

I didn't dwell on the thought for long. With a self-satisfied nod, I motioned for Fable to lower his back, allowing me to mount him. His increased size, even in his condensed form, made it a bit more challenging to climb onto his back, but it also provided a greater sense of security. Whenever he leaped through the air, I no longer felt quite so small and vulnerable. While I would have preferred to walk, the sudden vanishing of the gate was sure to cause a commotion among the soldiers, and I'd rather be gone before anyone came to investigate.

"Wait for me!" Sari cried, scrambling up behind me. I winced as she wrapped her arms around my waist, and she quickly loosened her grip. "Sorry."