As the hut came into view, nestled near the cliff's edge just past the waterline, Zephryn raised one hand to slow the bikes.
The scent of open sea met them—salt and lilac—and Solara stood outside waving her arms.
"Dinner's still warm!" she called. "If the silver flame himself isn't too busy with his legends."
Zephryn blushed. "Mooom—"
Kaelen laughed as he skidded to a stop, helping Yolti dismount. "I swear she times those lines."
"She does," Yolti said.
Solara ushered them in. The table was already set—simple bowls of steam-root stew, candledrice, and thick flatbread with starfruit jam. Selka bowed respectfully before sitting. Zephryn leaned against the doorframe as the others ate.
Solara wrapped a scarf around his neck.
Her voice was soft. "You sure you don't want to stay the night at Kaelen's? You'd be just down the road."
He smiled, holding the ends of the scarf. "I want to be here. In case… anything."
She tucked a curl of his hair behind his ear. "This is home, Zeph. Nothing bad is going to happen."
They left just after dusk.
Kaelen mounted first, followed by Yolti.
"You sure you don't want me to teach you how to drive this thing?" he offered. "You can ride solo."
Yolti folded her arms. "I'm not crashing into another tree, thanks."
Selka had already taken the lead pulse bike, piloting it with quiet confidence. Zephryn stood in the doorway, scarf still around his neck.
Solara waved one last time. "Be safe, you hear me? Don't outrun your hum."
Then they were gone.
And so was the silence.
About twenty seconds into the ride across the water, a sound shattered the calm.
BOOM.
Kaelen jerked the handles, almost losing control. "What was that?!"
Yolti turned, eyes wide. "That was from the cliffs—Zephryn's hut!"
They turned without thinking.