Rebecca’s POV
As we journeyed further into the eastern regions, the world started looking more ancient. I did not even know there were old places like this.
The lush forests that surrounded us for days finally opened up into steep terrain filled with hills and jagged ridges that bore signs of destruction, partly reclaimed by the passage of time. Giant rocks were scattered all around with moss-covered inscriptions weathered from years of exposure to the elements.
Even the atmosphere here was different.
Heavier.
Ancient.
My lungs filled with the smell of wet rocks, pines, and the faint metallic taste hanging at the top of my tongue like distant lightning.
I held on tighter to my pack and kept going.
I no longer had to justify my presence in the lead.
I wasn’t even listening to th
