The game begins, and it’s chaotic from the start. Laughter, shouts, and splashes fill the air as we try to keep the glowing ball in our possession. The water feels alive around us, moving with the force of our bodies and the waves. Every now and then, the ball slips from someone’s hand, bouncing on the surface before disappearing under a spray of water, only to be retrieved by a determined player. Of course—magic is also used. But since I haven’t mastered it yet, I’m stuck trying to get the ball back the human way.
I’m breathless, as I chase after Celeste, who’s dodging my attempts to grab the ball. The sound of the ocean is louder now, crashing against us as we move further from the shore. I glance back, realizing how far we’ve drifted.
“Here!” Nate calls out, and I turn just in time to
