When Seraphina next opened her eyes, she was no longer in House Aeternis.
The scent of damp earth and ancient trees filled her senses. Towering trees stretched toward the heavens, their leaves casting dappled light across the forest floor. Strange, glowing flora pulsed with faint luminescence, illuminating the unfamiliar terrain.
Leon stirred in her arms, his golden eyes scanning their new surroundings with a quiet, unreadable expression.
Seraphina exhaled shakily.
They were alive.
But where were they?
The attackers would soon realize their prey had vanished, but by then, it would be too late.
They had escaped—transported to a place unknown, deep within a vast and mysterious forest.
The future had shifted, and fate had taken a new path.
---
Hours passed.
Seraphina moved carefully through the dense undergrowth, her senses sharp as she searched for a safe place to rest. The thick foliage provided natural cover, but the unfamiliarity of the terrain kept her on edge.
Leon remained silent in her arms, but his small fingers occasionally clenched the fabric of her dress. He was still too young to express his emotions fully, yet Seraphina could feel his sorrow—his loss.
Reynard was gone.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she did not allow them to fall. She had no time to grieve. She had to protect her son.
Leon, despite his infant body, was fully aware. The weight of his father's death settled deep within him, an ache that words could not express. His tiny hands trembled slightly, his mind grasping emotions far beyond his physical years.
But amidst the sorrow, something else burned within him.
Resolve.
He would not forget this night.
He would not forgive those who took his father.
One day, he would make them pay.
---
By morning, Seraphina had found a small stream where they could drink and rest briefly. She knew they could not stay in the forest for long. They needed shelter, food, and information.
As she adjusted Leon in her arms, her gaze lifted to the distant horizon. If there was a forest, there had to be a kingdom nearby.
With no other choice, she began walking.
Days passed in cautious travel. Seraphina avoided dangerous beasts, relying on her heightened senses and survival skills to navigate through the wilderness. She rationed what little supplies she had, ensuring Leon remained fed and safe.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the dense forest gave way to open plains. And in the far distance—civilization.
A city.
Hope surged within her as she quickened her pace.
---
The towering walls of the city loomed before them, standing as a testament to its strength. The guards at the gates eyed Seraphina warily as she approached, her attire and noble bearing not going unnoticed.
"State your business," one of the guards demanded, his grip firm on his spear.
Seraphina kept her expression calm. "I seek entry. My child and I have traveled far."
The guard exchanged glances with his companion. "Entry isn't free, especially for travelers without identification."
Without hesitation, Seraphina retrieved a small pouch from her storage ring and pulled out a gold coin. "Will this suffice?"
The guard's eyes widened slightly before nodding. "Aye, that'll do." He gestured for the gates to open.
As she stepped inside, Seraphina glanced around, taking in the bustling streets and towering structures. Merchants called out their wares, knights patrolled the roads, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.
Then, she caught sight of something—a sign etched with bold letters.
Eldorin City.
Her heart clenched.
She had assumed they had been transported somewhere in the Central Continent, but now she knew the truth.
Eldorin was not a city within an empire—it was the capital of a kingdom. And that kingdom was under one of the Five Great Empires of the Central Continent.
Their journey had only just begun.