Above ground, far from the chaos brewing beneath, the road stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
The afternoon sun hung low, casting long shadows over the fields. A carriage rolled steadily along the dirt path, drawn by a team of powerful horses.
At the front, a man sat on the driver's bench, holding the reins with one hand, his posture loose but his eyes sharp on the road ahead.
The horses snorted and let out sharp cries, their breath steaming in the cool air. Flanking the carriage were three A-ranked warriors riding with steady focus, scanning the surrounding countryside for danger. Their armor caught the sunlight, gleaming like a warning to any would-be attackers.
Behind them, riding at a slower pace, Gare, Barret, and Chris kept their positions beside the carriage. Each one cast a glance at the man holding the reins, their expressions mixed with exasperation and resignation.
It was Kael.
