The mountain path twisted endlessly ahead, flanked by snow-covered trees and silent rock faces. Trafalgar rode alone, slumped slightly forward in the saddle, his hands resting loosely on the reins. The steady clop of hooves was the only sound accompanying him for hours.
His breath came slow and tired.
'It's already day again… how long have I been riding? Three hours? Four?'
His body throbbed with dull pain. Muscles sore from the battle. Cuts burning from the cold. Worse still—he didn't know if he was going the right way.
'What if those mercs weren't even taking me to the right place? They could've been leading me anywhere—straight into an ambush for all I know.'
He gritted his teeth, shifting his weight in the saddle. The cold wind bit at his neck.
'The Gate… it's supposed to be a portal connected to Velkaris. Biggest city on the world. Millions of people from all races live there. A place of opportunity and where the academy is.'
He scoffed under his breath.
