The battle's echoes had finally begun to fade, leaving the land with a quiet stillness. Despite the fragile peace that seemed to settle over us, an undeniable weight hung in the air.
Erevan lay still, unconscious and unyielding. His breathing was steady, but his body remained motionless, caught in a limbo between life and death. We didn't know when he would awaken.
Still, we could not afford to wait indefinitely. The mission had to move forward, no matter what. Unfinished business loomed over our heads, and we knew our journey was far from over.
"It's time to visit the City of the Forgotten,"
I said, my voice unwavering despite the fatigue that seemed to press on my shoulders.
"We need to find the longest undead soul."
Xander, ever observant, turned toward me. His eyes scanned me, as if weighing my resolve. For a moment, his gaze lingered, searching for any trace of uncertainty or weakness. Then, with a slow nod, he agreed.
"I suppose it is. We can't afford to waste any more time."
Vlad simply inclined his head. His expression remained unreadable, a mask of stoicism, but the subtle shift in his posture made it clear—he was in agreement.
My gaze drifted to Dylan, newly risen from a deep slumber. Despite the exhaustion in his features, his stance was firm, unwavering.
"You should rest if you need to, Dylan. You don't have to come along. You've only just woken up."
He scoffed, the sound laced with a mix of defiance and determination. He rolled his shoulders as if shrugging off any lingering weariness.
"I'm fine," he said firmly.
"I'm not sitting this one out."
I wasn't entirely convinced, but I didn't press the matter further. Dylan was as stubborn as they came, and any argument with him would be futile. He would push himself to the limit, regardless of what anyone said.
Then, I turned my attention to Oregon. He had been uncharacteristically quiet since our last encounter, his golden eyes distant, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
I hesitated for a moment before speaking his name.
"Oregon?"
His gaze flickered toward me, and for a long moment, there was only silence. Then, finally, he gave a faint smile—one that was hard to read, as though his thoughts were tangled in a world only he could access.
I studied him, but chose not to press further. If something was troubling him, he would speak in his own time.
Holumis, ever a calming presence, stepped forward then. Her serene aura was a stark contrast to the underlying tension in the group.
She took my hand in hers, her touch warm and steady, offering silent reassurance.
"I just wanted to say, Leighton, how grateful I am to have met you."
Her words struck a chord deep within me, and I squeezed her hand gently, a smile curving my lips.
"The feeling is mutual. I truly hope we'll meet again after this."
"And we will," she said with a spark of certainty in her silver eyes.
"Remember, you're part of our family now. My brother's spouse, and the Prime Apex who will change the world."
At those words, there was an almost imperceptible shift in the air.
Vlad and Dylan both seemed to stiffen, their expressions flickering with something unreadable.
But it was Xander's reaction that caught my attention the most. His crimson eyes flashed for a brief second—sharper, more intense—before he regained his composure.
The subtle clenching of his jaw, the faint tightening of his shoulders, suggested an underlying disturbance, though he quickly masked it with a calm, almost detached demeanor.
He said nothing, but his unease was palpable, a tension that seemed to radiate from him like a storm just below the surface. I couldn't help but wonder what it was about Holumis' words that had unsettled him so.
Silvanor, ever composed and perceptive, stood beside Holumis. His piercing gaze landed on me, his presence both comforting and imposing.
"I've glimpsed what you will become, Leighton," he said quietly.
"You will reshape history."
His words carried an undeniable weight, sending a chill through my spine. But I didn't shy away. I met his gaze and nodded, accepting the immense responsibility that rested upon my shoulders.
I dipped into a formal curtsy, my voice steady but laced with gratitude.
"Thank you," I murmured, the words feeling both too small and yet deeply sincere.
A breath caught in my throat before I added, my voice growing firmer, "I understand the faith you place in me. And I promise—I will not disappoint."
The solemnity of my vow hung in the air like a tangible force, one that I could not escape. It was a commitment, not only to myself but to those who believed in me.
Vesperia, who had remained quietly observing from a distance, extended her hand toward me in a silent invitation.
I stepped forward, and to my surprise, she wrapped me in a warm, unexpected embrace. Her touch was soft, yet filled with unspoken depth.
When she pulled back, she smiled, offering me a silent blessing that spoke volumes. I nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the gravity of the moment.
As we began preparing for the journey ahead, I realized something rather amusing—I was the only one who had actually packed anything substantial.
The others, especially Vlad, traveled light, with little more than the bare essentials. Still, I was grateful for their help in managing my belongings, their presence a constant reassurance.
Dylan, ever the teasing spirit, smirked as he threw a bag over his shoulder.
"You know, if you get too tired, I wouldn't mind carrying you the rest of the way."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help chuckling at his antics.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm not as weak as I used to be. Rest assured, I'll keep up."
We were just about to step beyond Hollow Hamlet's territory when a voice called out from behind me.
"Leighton."
I spun around, my heart skipping a beat. There stood Oregon, his golden eyes unwavering, as determined as ever.
"I'm coming with you," he said, his voice calm but resolute.
A smile spread across my face, and without hesitation, I nodded.
"I'd be glad to have you."
With that, the path before us became clear. The City of the Forgotten awaited us, and with it, the next chapter of our destiny.