The training room stretched wide, reinforced walls bearing scars from weeks of use. Damian stood with his arms behind his back, his crimson eyes tracking across the five figures gathered before him.
Edrin adjusted his glasses, Lysa held her bow loosely at her side, Ariana's hand rested near her katana, Ronan cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing off stone and Zavier gripped his spear tightly.
All of them stood waiting.
Damian walked slowly around them, his boots clicking against the floor.
"For the past few months, I haven't had time to check your progress." His voice came out flat. "Everything just… moved too fast."
He stopped in front of Edrin, meeting his eyes through the glasses, then continued walking.
"I wanted to see how far you've come." His hands remained clasped behind his back. "What you've accomplished while I was occupied elsewhere."
The five of them shifted, glancing at each other with expressions mixing pride and uncertainty.
