Joshua had just stepped forward, the portal to the Origin Realm glowing like a slowly spinning galaxy, when a voice cut through the silence.
"What home?"
Everyone turned at once.
Three figures stood at the entrance of the chamber. Their silhouettes framed against the fading light from the outer corridor. Adam, Alfred, and Aria. Back from the Taiyu Realm. A little worn, a little dirty, but very much alive.
Adam was the one who'd spoken. His arms crossed. His tone casual but sharp. That usual mix of sarcasm and suspicion that clung to him like his shadow.
"What do you mean 'home'?" he repeated, walking in slowly. "Someone wanna explain why there's a galactic drainhole opening in the middle of this room?"
Joshua blinked. His jaw twitched slightly, but then he turned, walking straight toward Adam.
"You came at the worst possible time," he muttered.
"Or the best," Alfred shrugged, brushing dust off his sleeves.
