The journey down the mountain was far smoother than Kian had expected. The winding trails were familiar, etched into his memory after months of relentless training. Nia walked beside him, her eyes wide with excitement, while Chandler led the way, his pace brisk despite his age. He moved with the sure-footedness of someone who had walked these paths a thousand times over.
Kian couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia as they descended. Memories of the bustling streets, the scent of fresh bread, and the distant hum of market chatter flooded back. It had been so long since he had seen anything but the mountains, the endless stretches of trees, and the isolated peace of Chandler's domain.
Nia nudged him playfully as they walked. "Excited?"
Kian raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You seem more excited than me."
"Obviously!" she replied, twirling once with her hands stretched out, her laughter ringing out over the valley. "I can't wait to see all the shops. I'm definitely getting us new outfits. That jacket of yours is going straight into the trash."
Kian chuckled. "I'm not that bad, am I?"
She gave him a pointed look. "You look like you raided an ancient hermit's closet."
Before he could respond, Chandler's voice boomed from ahead. "Keep up, you two! The city ain't gonna wait for you to finish your little love spat!"
Kian's cheeks warmed slightly, but Nia just giggled and jogged forward, leaving him to catch up. His eyes wandered to her, noticing the change in her stride more confident, more graceful. It was hard to ignore how much they had both grown. He was taller now, broader, with muscles built from relentless training. His powers had sharpened, his control improved, and with it came the quiet confidence that hummed under his skin.
The trees thinned out, revealing the cobblestone path that led to the city gates. Chandler stopped just before the crest of the hill, turning to face them. His expression softened, his eyes glimmering with something unspoken. "We're here," he said, gesturing forward.
Kian stepped up beside him, and his breath caught in his throat.
The city sprawled out before him, far larger than he remembered. Towering spires of steel and glass reflected the sunlight, casting shimmering glows across the winding streets below. People bustled along the roads, carriages and electric transports weaving between the crowds. The markets were alive with colors and noise, stalls overflowing with goods and laughter ringing out from every corner.
"Welcome back," Chandler said softly, clapping a hand on Kian's shoulder. "Figured it'd be a good place to celebrate."
Kian swallowed hard, his eyes taking in everything. He didn't realize how much he missed it until now. "Yeah... it's perfect."
Chandler grunted, nodding to the distant market square. "I've got some business to take care of. You two go on ahead, have some fun. We'll meet back here by sundown."
Nia's eyes lit up with glee, and she grabbed Kian's arm, practically dragging him forward. "C'mon! We have so much to do!"
Kian threw one last look over his shoulder at Chandler, who simply waved them off with a grin. "Don't get into too much trouble," he called after them.
Kian just smiled. "No promises!"