The transport hummed, suspended between ground and sky. Inside, Cael sat motionless, his hands bound with nullification cuffs designed to disrupt Form-practice. Beside him, Aelri maintained her instructor's composure, back straight, face impassive.
Three Registry guards watched them warily, hands never straying far from their weapons.
"Why did you come?" Cael asked quietly, his voice barely audible above the engine's drone.
"Because truth requires witnesses," Aelri replied. "Even inconvenient ones."
A ping from Aether drew Cael's attention inward.
[ALERT: TRANSPORT COURSE DEVIATION][DESTINATION RECALCULATED: NOT REGISTRY DETENTION][ANALYZING...]
The lead guard pressed his hand to his ear, listening to a transmission. His expression darkened.
"Turn back," he ordered the pilot. "New orders—return to the arena."
"Sir?" The pilot's voice carried confusion.
"Containment protocol has escalated. The site is being secured."
Aelri's eyes met Cael's. Something had changed.
