Then ahead them the ridge stretched out like a scar,lifeless and just a cold breeze
But the path ahead them, twisted for miles, lying between fallen towers and cracked earth. Sometimes, the ground itself groaned — sometimes, the air whispered as if names were being called from beneath the dust.
Lyra didn't answer.
She could feel something following them, not a creature, not a shadow — something older.
It stay observed . It watched.
By night,, they reached they ann old watchtower. Only half of it still stood, leaning against the dying light.
Kairis dropped onto a slab of stone, exhaling sharply. "these corrupted keep increasing around here why don't we just burn them all?"
Kael didn't turn. "Because not all of them die when you burn them."
Kairis scowled. "Comforting."
Lyra stayed silent, eyes fixed on the ridge ahead.
The land felt wrong — not dangerous, not cursed, just… awake.
Kael's gaze stayed on her for a moment too long.
"You're not afraid," he said. "Everyone else who came this far gets scared. But you…" He turned his head. "…you walk like you belong here."
Lyra's voice was calm. "Maybe I do."
Kairis only stared at her saying nothing and then lowered her gazes towards the ground
Kael smirked, but inside his thoughts turned sharp.
Lyra looked at him does he know something it seems like it
Then suddenly the ground trembled — faint, almost gentle.
Then came the sound — distant at first, like bones scrawling
Lyra looked up just as cracks split open along the ridge. Shapes crawled out — tall, thin, their faces hidden beneath plates of ash.
Hollow beasts.
Kael readied his knives, his grin returning.
Kairis unsheathed her blade, muttering, "Great. The day just got worse."
But before they could attack, Lyra stepped forward.
The air changed around her like before heavier.A faint shimmer traced her hands, not light, not flame, just… something else.
Kairis hissed, "Lyra, don't—"
Lyra didn't answer. Her eyes stayed fixed on the creatures, and the strange warmth in her chest pulsed once.
Black and white sparks flickered faintly at her fingertips.
A single heartbeat later, the monsters ran back — a sound not of pain but fear — and went back to where they came from.
Then silence
Kairis's just stared at Lyra and muttered to her "why don't t you ever listen.."
Lyra stared at her hands. The faint light had vanished.
"…Nothing," she said quietly. "Just instinct."
Kael's expression didn't change, but his gaze stayed locked on her.
Black and white
He smirked faintly. "Interesting."
"Shut up," Kairis snapped.
Lyra exhaled slowly, pretending not to hear either of them.
Far above in the stars where none could reach a figure emerged it's face wasn't visible but it lingered on a blue panel where Lyra stood it leaned his fingers on her figure but then took it back.
It just kept watching
Kael was the first to step inside the broken tower . He brushed frost off a fallen pillar and glanced around.
"We'll stay here tonight."
Kairis dropped her pack with a sigh. "I'll take the first watch," she muttered, sitting near the half-open archway. "Try not to snore."
Kael ignored her and moved toward the shadows. "I'll find something so, we can eat."
He vanished into the trees before either of them could stop him.
The echo of his steps faded into the cold.
Only the wind could be felt , sighing through the cracks of the ruined tower.
Kairis sat near the doorway, her sword laid across her knees. The faint glow of the small fire Lyra had coaxed flickered across her face — sharp, tired, but still alert.
Lyra sat opposite her, wrapping her cloak tighter. The firelight traced faint gold across her hair.
"You trust him too easily," Kairis said
Lyra didn't look up. "Trust is a strong word."
"You let him lead us north," Kairis said, her tone low. "You didn't even question it."
"I did," Lyra replied softly. "Just not out loud."
Kairis frowned, poking the fire with her blade. "You're too calm about this. He is full of secrets I don't sense good feelings around him ."
Lyra's gaze drifted toward the open archway. Snow swirled beyond, faintly silver under the dim sky. "So, do we."
That shut Kairis up for a heartbeat. She leaned back against the wall with a quiet groan. "You make it sound poetic, but it's not comforting."
Lyra's faint smile didn't reach her eyes. "It's not supposed to be."
The silence that followed wasn't empty — it was full of thoughts neither dared voice.
After a while, Kairis muttered, "Do you think he knows? About… you?"
Lyra's fingers stayed over the fire. "He might've guessed it's clear white hair, green eyes ,carries chaos too clear isn't it ," she admitted. "But he doesn't understand it. Not yet."
"And if he does?"
Lyra looked up then, eyes glinting faintly in the firelight — green, old, steady.
"Then we'll see what kind of man he really is."
Kairis exhaled through her nose. "You always sound like you're already walking into the storm or you know what the storm is about ."
Lyra looked northward. "Maybe I am or maybe I know ."
The fire crackled, small embers floating upward and fading into the night.
After a moment, Lyra whispered, "Illythra's village should be just beyond the ridge tomorrow."
Kairis's tone turned grim. "If it's still standing."
Lyra's hands tightened around her cloak. "It will be there standing ."
Kairis watched her for a beat, then sighed. "We don't know what awaits us there, Lyra. Not anymore."
Lyra's gaze stayed on the flames — steady and unreadable. "That's why we keep walking."
Soft footsteps broke the quiet.
Kael reappeared at the archway, the pale light tracing the edge of his grin. A small bundle was in his hand — hunted meat, still warm, still steaming faintly in the cold air.
He said nothing as he dropped it beside the fire.
Kairis didn't thank him. Lyra didn't ask where he found it.
They ate in silence — the only sound the crackle of fire but kairis didn't let her guards down
When the flames burned lower, Lyra rose to her feet. "You can rest for a while," she said to Kairis. "I'll take the next watch."
Kairis hesitated, then nodded. "Wake me before dawn."
She pulled her cloak tight and settled against the wall, exhaustion overtaking her within minutes.
Kael leaned against the fallen pillar, half in shadow, watching Lyra. He said nothing — only observed as if she were a puzzle he hadn't yet solved.
Lyra turned toward the open archway, her eyes on the sky.
The night was deep and heavy. No stars broke through the clouds — only the faint shimmer of distant frost on the wind.
She stared at that empty sky for a long time.
"Even the heavens are silent tonight," she murmured, half to herself.
The wind answered, carrying her words into the dark.