The training ground was in ruins. A massive crater marred its center, and at the very bottom y Percy—battered, unconscious, and decidedly defeated.

  Rak began cpping slowly, a wide grin on his face. “What a spectacur show of strength, young Percy. Truly, just… chef’s kiss. Ten out of ten.”

  The clone, still standing over Percy, slowly dissolved into bck mist, fading back into nothingness.

  Rak csped his hands behind his back and strolled over to the crater’s edge, peering down at Percy’s limp body. This kid’s going to be a real asset one day. Sure, his loss was inevitable, but he actually managed to enrage my clone. I didn’t think that was even possible.

  He sighed, shaking his head. Well, that’s a conversation for another day. Right now, I need to get back to the pace before Lorna decides to write an entire hymn about how te I am.

  Just as he turned to leave, a familiar figure appeared in front of him. Rak froze mid-step. Sinith stood there, her gre sharper than any bde.

  “Ah, little sister Sinith!” Rak greeted, his tone suddenly overenthusiastic as he nervously patted her shoulder and nudged her back. “Fancy seeing you here. You know, I was just on my way to the Divine Pace. No need to worry about me!”

  Sinith’s gaze shifted past him to the wreckage behind. Her eyes narrowed, then she sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Big brother Rak… Sister Lorna has been looking for you all day. Do you know how long she had to push back the meeting because of your absence?”

  Rak straightened, smoothing his suit and. “Of course, of course! Please inform Sister Lorna that I’m on my way now. No more deys.”

  Sinith gave him a pointed look, bowed her head, and vanished.

  Rak remained frozen for a moment, then exhaled deeply. “Sheesh, that woman’s gre could probably cool a sun.”

  He cpped his hands sharply, and a group of celestial knights were summoned, standing at attention.

  “FIRST COMMANDER, SIR!” they barked in unison, their voices echoing across the shattered arena.

  “At ease,” Rak said, waving a hand. “Here’s the deal: I need you to clean up this mess for me. Also, get Percy to a healer before the second commander hears about this and adds it to her next sermon… Do this very discreetly”

  “As the Commander commands!” the knights replied, saluting crisply before getting to work.

  Rak vanished heading towards the pace.

  Meanwhile, Rorak and Drenok strolled through the pace halls, making their way to the meeting in Carter’s throne room. Drenok, in his ghostly childlike form, floated quietly beside Rorak, faint whispers and eerie screams drifting from his shadowy figure. Rorak, the towering goliath, walked with all four of his massive hands csped behind his head, leaning back casually.

  Rorak gnced down at his silent companion. “Think the meeting’s started yet? I mean, Lorna did say we could take a break since it got deyed, but I’d hate to miss anything.”

  Drenok didn’t respond, continuing his silent stride.

  Rorak tried again, his tone light. “Hopefully we’re on time. You know how Lorna gets when—”

  Drenok cut him off by pointing ahead with a shadowy tendril. Standing in front of the throne room door were Jirak and Zha, both looking rather bored. Rorak and Drenok approached them.

  “So… we’re not going in?” Drenok asked, his voice quiet but ced with curiosity.

  Jirak shrugged, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “We can’t. Lorna rushed us out here and said to wait. Apparently, she’s got something important to handle.”

  “It’s been a while now,” Zha added, tilting her head thoughtfully. “I wonder what’s taking her so long.”

  Before anyone could specute further, Sinith materialized between them, appearing out of nowhere.

  Rorak raised a brow. “You know, you could just walk like a normal person.”

  Sinith ignored him, her sharp gaze fixed on the throne room door. “We don’t have time for this. I’m opening the door.”

  She strode forward and, with a single push, sent the gigantic golden doors sliding open with a light hum.

  “Alright, let’s—” Sinith froze mid-sentence, her voice trailing off.

  At the far end of the throne room, perched atop Carter’s Chrysalis orb, was Lorna. She clung to it, her arms wrapped tightly around its gleaming surface, her wings trembling with what could only be described as… enthusiasm.

  “Oh, my lord,” Lorna cooed, nuzzling the orb as if it were a precious treasure. “Your little Lorna has kept our home safe in your stead. I wish you were here to see me now, but soon—soon—I can boast of my accomplishments to you personally.”

  The group stood in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of horror and secondhand embarrassment. Lorna’s voice grew softer, almost sultry. “And when the lord returns… perhaps I could accompany the lord in b—”

  “Wha’d I miss?”

  Rak’s voice cut through the room like a bde. He appeared behind the group, his casual grin fading as all five of them lunged at him, cmping their hands over his mouth.

  “Shhh!” they hissed in unison, frantically gesturing for him to stay silent.

  “I’m gd you all could make it.”

  The group spun around, startled. Lorna stood behind them, serene and composed, as though nothing out of the ordinary had just transpired.

  They quickly scrambled to their feet, brushing themselves off as if they hadn’t been seconds away from bolting. Sinith stepped forward, her tone calm. “I brought them, as you asked, Sister Lorna.”

  Rorak’s eyes darted around, his confusion growing. Are we just going to pretend that didn’t happen? he thought, staring at the others, who were expertly avoiding his gaze.

  “So we’re just gonna—” he began, but a heavy arm dropped onto his shoulder, cutting him off mid-sentence.

  Rak leaned him down, his voice low and threatening. “If you enjoy having four arms, I highly recommend shutting up before Lorna hears you.”

  Rorak blinked, gnced at Rak, then at Lorna, and promptly straightened up without another word.

  Lorna approached, her footsteps echoing through the grand hall. Her wings folded gracefully behind her as she looked them over. “Let’s get down to business.”1