Rose stood at the entrance of the academy gates, the crisp evening air brushing against her skin. The towering stone archway felt both foreign and familiar, the weight of its presence pressing down on her shoulders.
She barely had time to take it all in before—
"ROSE!"
A blur of dark wings and flowing robes shot out of the gates.
Before Rose could even calculate, Elara slammed into her with the force of a hurricane, wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug.
"We missed you!"
The impact nearly sent Rose toppling backward. She staggered, laughing breathlessly as she braced herself against Elara's embrace.
"I was barely gone a month!" she protested between giggles, but her arms tightened around her best friend nonetheless.
Elara finally pulled back—only to hold Rose at arm's length, her eyes scanning her like she was making sure she was real.
"You were gone too long," Elara huffed, her wings twitching behind her.