Meanwhile up above.
The clang of metal still rang faintly across the temple gaurds training ground, long after Luther and Mariana had left. Dust floated lazily in the shafts of sunlight cutting through the archways, and for a long while, the world below was silent.
Then—
A ripple ran across the air, like a pebble dropped into a still pond.
And high above, beyond mortal clouds, the heavens stirred.
Piern stood at the edge of a floating platform of crystalline glass, his massive wings folded neatly behind his back. The white feathers glimmered faintly under the light of the Empyreal Sun—so bright it could burn mortal eyes to dust.
Below him, suspended like a painting, was the world of men: a tapestry of clouds, mountains, and empires… and right now, one singular idiot lying face-first in the training field with a sword yelling insults at him.
Piern sighed deeply.
