CHAPTER TWO – THE SCAR BENEATH THE CLIFF
The halls of the Harmonic Lyceum were quieter than Zephryn remembered.
Or maybe he was louder now—
the hum threading beneath his ribs, pacing ahead of his steps.
The outer corridor was still soaked from the storm.
Rain pooled in the corners of the floor tiles,
echoing softly beneath boots, bare feet, paws.
The Lyceum's pulse crystals hadn't fully recharged—
their glow flickered unevenly along the arches overhead.
Kaelen muttered,
"They didn't fix the lights again."
No one replied.
A small group of students passed in the opposite direction.
Their uniforms were marked with personalized sigils,
but none wore their glyph openly.
Zephryn didn't recognize them all.
But some—
Torr Varnell, the tall one with the etched collar and red scarf—he always stared like he was studying people for later.
Rhea, the quiet one with the covered hands.
Her veil hung low today. She didn't make eye contact.
Kellian Froststride, ever-smirking, his stride slow like he was waiting for the world to catch up.
And behind them—
A girl with violet-inked sleeves and the steadiest walk of all.
Vessa Caelith.
She didn't look at Echo Squad.
She just glanced once—at Bubbalor—then back to the path.
They passed without words.
Just pulse between silence.
Selka didn't blink.
Yolti's eyes flicked toward Vessa, just briefly.
Kaelen's fists stayed low but tight.
Zephryn didn't look at any of them.
But he felt all of it.