The rest of the year passed in a strange, almost surreal sense of normalcy- or, at least, normal by Genvah Academy standards.
There were no assassination attempts lurking around corners, no deadly cliff falls, no betrayals disguised as friendships. For once, Aiden could breathe without feeling like the next step might be his last.
It was strange to wake up in the morning and have only classes and homework to worry about, and not surviving the day.
Strange, but good.
It wasn't perfect, of course. His body still twinged and ached, especially on rainy days when old injuries whispered reminders that he wasn't as invincible as he looked. But he could walk now- really walk- even if he still had to be careful about pushing himself too hard. Nights were quieter now and the darkness no longer brought the crushing weight of dread.
Instead, Aiden had started dreaming again.And not the cold, brutal dreams of falling, of blood, of Lopt.But dreams of the tree.
