The tenth day of their journey brought change.
What had once been soft hills and wildflower-lined paths turned into jagged ridges, shadowed by gnarled trees that seemed to lean a little too close. The air grew damp, and a thin fog slithered between branches like living mist. Wildlife grew scarce.
No birds.
No rustling in the brush.
No distant howls.
Kai guided the horses slowly around the outskirts of Orrinsby, the place he once called home.
Vepice remained inside the carriage, watching the shifting landscape through the window with quiet unease.
Kai's thoughts weren't on his hometown, anyway. They were behind him, in the infirmary of the coliseum.
Of the Arena of Kings.
Rael. Naia. Kleo. Willam. Even Firra… They had all waited for something more.
A word.
A farewell.
Anything.
But he couldn't give them that. He left before he could.
"They're better off far away from the divine entities, my necromancy, and everything I bring with me."
