The ring shimmered at the far end of the hall, golden light curling outward in soft pulses. It flickered like a warning, or a whisper.
Areum was already moving before the last flicker hit the floor.
She'd been patrolling the west wing, pacing the outer halls on instinct more than rotation. Ever since the monster sightings in the distance, the school had been sealed tight. No one came in. No one went out.
So when the light appeared, sudden, silent, wrong, she didn't hesitate.
"Who's there?" she shouted, a glass shard forming in her palm in a breath. It grew instantly, shaping into a blade with a quick shimmer and settling into her grip like it had always belonged there. "Step forward! Now!"
No answer.
Then a footstep.
She raised the blade higher, until the ring of light rippled, and a figure stepped through.
She almost let the blade fly.
Almost.
Then her breath caught. Her arm wavered.
"...Jin?"
Her voice cracked slightly.
