A new day dawned in Baringer, the first rays of sunlight piercing through the scarlet and orange foliage of the trees crowning the mountain. The morning light bathed the rocky slopes in a golden glow, making the dewdrops on the grass sparkle. A cool breeze, carrying the resinous scent of pine trees and damp earth, gently swept through the area. Areyos was already awake, meditating cross-legged on a polished stone slab near the sacred circle of the Path Ritual, where ancient runes pulsed with a bluish glow. His closed eyelids fluttered slightly to the rhythm of birdsong and the distant murmur of a stream.
Yoko emerged from her room, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. Her hair, still tousled from sleep, danced in the breeze. She spotted Areyos and approached with light steps, her boots crunching against the gravel path.
"Hey, Rey!" she called out, a dazzling smile lighting up her face.
