The echoes of screams still lingered in my mind as we ran through the alleys of the coastal village. The smell of salt and smoke filled the air, and every step felt like a reminder of what we had left behind: a burning ship, a mission in jeopardy, and a decision we couldn’t undo.
Caroline led the group, her posture upright and defiant. She said nothing, but her silence was more eloquent than any reproach. Ignis walked beside her, her gaze sharp and steps light, as if victory had revitalized her. Around her, the residual heat of her magic still crackled faintly in the air.
The air grew colder as we ascended the mountain. The Forest of Shadows wasn’t just dark—it felt as if the shadows themselves were stalking us, moving in the corners of our eyes whenever we weren’t looking directly at th
