"Maybe. Just maybe... The first Paragon from Aether Studies."
---
The Novus awakened proceeded back to their dorms, bruised and battered.
Aegon stood before his dorm hall, lifted his eyes to the sky— sparkling stars, Opalescent moon and the tranquil breeze that whisked his face.
It gave him the single piece of calm he'd felt all night.
He pushed through the doors and then to his dorm room. Opening the door to see Eli and Quinn already fast asleep.
He shut the door behind him—softly. The air inside was still, the faint hum of Eli's breathing blending with Quinn's occasional restless twitch.
Aegon stood there, drenched, mud still clinging to his boots, hair dripping over his face like rain on glass.
He didn't move. Just… stood.
His mind was replaying every second of that field.
Cara collapsing.
Collins' eyes when he said "Every limitation you think exists isn't there."
The weight of her body, lifeless under that metal shell.
