A Bloody Welcome

Lyon stretched as he landed on the shore, his body relaxed despite the significance of the place. Maria, Cecile, and Selena followed suit, their movements graceful and confident. Behind them, Lyon's former students—five pillars of the Empyrean—descended: Liu, Harvestasya, Graham, Assid, and Kesya. Each one carried an aura of strength and purpose, their presence a testament to their formidable abilities.

The shore where they landed was rugged and wild, a stark contrast to the majestic floating empire of Empyrean. The air was thick with an unfamiliar energy, different from both mana and anti-mana. It was Ley, the pure source of energy of the Mortal World, a primal force that predated the cultivated energies known to them.