Milo nodded, his heart a tempest of fear and exhilaration.
All the challenges until now had been laughably simple, almost disappointing. But this... this was something else entirely. It was real, dangerous, and utterly terrifying.
Yet here he stood, ready to hurl himself into the void for a reason he was only beginning to grasp, following a leader he knew primarily through whispers and legends.
"Training begins at dawn," Selene announced, yanking Milo back to the present. "Rest well tonight. You'll need it."
As they filed out of the hall, Milo felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Taron.
"Listen, kids," the veteran said, his voice low and grave. "What we're about to do... it's not a game. It's dangerous... But it's also necessary. Von Elio wouldn't ask this of us if it wasn't crucial for the city's survival."
Arnaud, standing nearby, nodded silently, his expression somber.