The forest was alive in a way I had never experienced. Every leaf trembled under the sharp wind, every branch seemed to watch me as I moved cautiously along the narrow path. I had left Sera’s pack behind at dawn, slipping away before anyone could notice. Not out of fear, but because I needed space, space to test my limits, space to forge the strength that would make me unstoppable.
The mountains were a memory, the harsh drills and relentless endurance still pulsing through my muscles. My body ached, yes, but it ached with purpose. I had learned to survive pain. I had learned to push beyond what I thought possible. Yet now, in this dense wilderness, survival demanded more than muscle and endurance. It demanded instinct, wit, and courage I had yet to fully understand.
The bond at my neck t
