The Garden of Echoes was quiet again, a stark contrast to the chaos from earlier.
Professor Gertrude stood at the outer edge of the maze with Professors Darenn and Irving at her side, the three of them surveying the lingering traces of mana that clung to the air like smoke after a fire.
"This shouldn't have happened," Gertrude murmured, her brows drawn together in concern. "These games were not designed to trigger something so volatile."
"And yet, here we are," Darenn muttered, crouching down to inspect a blackened scorch mark on the stone floor of the entrance path. He pressed a hand to the ground and closed his eyes. "There's residue... but it's old. Familiar magic, yes, but stronger. Almost ancient."
