Chapter 14

  The swamp bathed in hues of amber and violet, the sky a shifting canvas of warm colors as Ember and Elena sat on the sturdy branch. The distant croaks of toads mixed with the soft rustling of leaves, creating a lull in the air that made everything feel too peaceful.

  Elena leaned forward slightly, her fingers tracing idle patterns against the bark. “You know…” she started, her voice light but with an edge of mischief. “I kind of liked it here. Maybe we should stay.”

  Ember shot her a look. “Yeah, because waking up with toads in your boots and leeches in the water is so appealing.”

  Elena giggled, nudging Ember with her shoulder. “I meant with you. Not the toads.”

  Ember’s lips quirked up slightly, but she didn’t answer right away. Instead, she looked out at the setting sun, the light catching her red hair in a way that made it look like flames. The silence stretched just long enough for Elena to take notice.

  “Hey,” Elena turned her head, her voice softer now. “Do you think... leaving here will change anything?”

  Ember finally looked at her. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean… the way we are now.” Elena bit her lip. “It’s been nice. No distractions, no fights for survival, no scary unknown ruins or old Iorphian ghosts waiting to tell us we’re doomed.” She let out a nervous chuckle, but her eyes betrayed her thoughts. “What if everything gets complicated again?”

  Ember was silent.

  And then—

  “You think too much.”

  Elena blinked as Ember reached out, poking her forehead gently.

  Elena gasped. “I do not!”

  “You do.” Ember smirked, leaning back against the tree. “But I like that about you.”

  Elena stared at her, then narrowed her eyes. “You like it?”

  Ember hesitated. Then she shrugged. “I guess.”

  Elena dramatically clutched her chest. “You guess?! Oh, great Orion, am I just a guess to you now?”

  Ember rolled her eyes, but the small smile didn’t leave her face. “You know what I mean.”

  Elena leaned in closer, her grin playful, but her eyes searching. “No, I don’t think I do. Maybe you should say it in a way I understand.”

  Ember looked away, feeling the warmth creeping up her neck. “You definitely know what I mean.”

  Elena tilted her head, pretending to think. “Hmm… nope. Not ringing a bell.”

  Ember groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You’re insufferable.”

  “And you’re cute when you’re flustered,” Elena shot back, reaching out to pull Ember’s hands away from her face.

  Ember sighed, shaking her head. “You really don’t give up, do you?”

  “Nope.” Elena beamed, and then, just as quickly, she softened. Her fingers brushed Ember’s cheek gently. “I just… want to hear it. Even if I already know.”

  Ember’s heart did something weird in her chest. Something tight and warm and terrifying.

  She swallowed. Then, slowly, she turned her head fully to face Elena.

  “…I like you.”

  Elena blinked. Then her lips curled into the softest, most devastatingly beautiful smile Ember had ever seen.

  “I know.”

  Ember groaned again, but this time, she was laughing too.

  And as the sky darkened, as the swamp around them slowly came alive with the sounds of the night, they sat together, shoulder to shoulder, neither of them moving away.

  Tomorrow, they would leave. Tomorrow, everything would change again.

  But for now—

  They were here.

  Ember woke to an unusual weight pressing down on her chest and stomach, making it hard to breathe. With a groggy frown, she blinked her eyes open, only to be met with the soft, dark strands of Elena’s hair splayed across her stomach.

  For a moment, Ember just lay there, staring at the sky beyond the thick canopy of leaves.

  Then she realized—

  Snacks was sprawled out over her chest.

  Elena was using her stomach as a pillow.

  She groaned, her voice rough with sleep. "Seriously?"

  Neither of them moved.

  Ember sighed, then placed her hand on Snacks’ fuzzy mane and gently pushed.

  "Get off me, you lump."

  The little ki-rin let out a whiny grumble before dramatically rolling onto the ground with a thud. He gave Ember an annoyed look, flicking his tail.

  "You too." Ember nudged Elena's shoulder, a bit more carefully.

  Elena only mumbled something in her sleep and snuggled closer.

  Ember’s mouth twitched. She should just leave her here. Let her wake up on her own, realize she lost her human pillow, and suffer.

  But instead, she exhaled heavily, running a hand through her messy hair, and carefully scooted out from under Elena.

  The moment her warmth disappeared, Elena instinctively curled up into a little ball, wrapping her arms around herself.

  Ember paused for a second.

  She smiled.

  Then she shook her head and finally stood up, stretching her sore muscles.

  As Ember walked out of their little camp, she was met with the familiar sight of the Aeylrs already in motion.

  Kaelen was giving orders, directing people on what to pack and what to leave behind. The swamp was short-lived in their journey, and Ember found herself wondering how these people managed to do this over and over again.

  Did they ever feel exhausted?

  Did they ever wonder if all this running was worth it?

  Shoving those thoughts aside, Ember approached Kaelen, who had just finished helping someone tie a roll of supplies onto their pack.

  “You look like someone who needs an extra pair of hands,” Ember said, stuffing her hands into her pockets.

  Kaelen turned, raising an eyebrow at her. “You woke up early. Thought you’d be the last one out of bed, honestly.”

  Ember scoffed. “I woke up because two idiots decided I was a mattress.”

  Kaelen snorted. “Sounds like a personal problem.”

  Ember rolled her eyes and shoved him lightly. “Shut up and give me something to do.”

  By the time Elena finally woke up, rubbing her eyes sleepily, the entire camp was ready to move. The Aeylrs were all waiting, packs secured, weapons checked, and the last of the supplies were being loaded up.

  The only one missing? Woofy.

  Ember, leaning against a tree, spotted Elena sitting up and stretching with a loud yawn. Snacks was still curled up beside her, completely unbothered.

  She smirked.

  Elena blinked at the sight of everything already packed and prepared. Then, her gaze fell on Ember, who looked way too smug for someone who had obviously been up for a while.

  “…Did you…?”

  Ember pushed off the tree, tilting her head slightly. “Yeah. I packed your stuff.”

  Elena’s eyes widened slightly. “All of it?”

  Ember shrugged. “You were sleeping. Figured I’d save you the trouble.”

  For a moment, Elena just stared at her.

  Then, without warning, she rushed forward and threw her arms around Ember.

  “Thank you!”

  Ember stiffened.

  Her face burned.

  Elena’s arms were warm around her neck, squeezing her tightly in an embrace that was way too much, way too sudden, and way too public.

  Ember awkwardly lifted her arms, unsure whether to push her away or pull her closer. Her hands hovered behind Elena’s back for a second before she just gave up and let her bury herself into her.

  The camp fell silent.

  Ember could feel the eyes on her.

  She slowly turned her head—

  Only to see the Aeylrs staring.

  Some were smiling.

  Some were smirking.

  Kaelen, standing with his arms crossed, gave them a huge thumbs-up.

  Ember immediately shoved Elena off her.

  "Okay, we’re done here." Her voice was a little too loud, a little too panicked.

  Elena giggled, leaning close and whispering, "You’re so cute when you panic."

  Ember groaned, turning on her heel. "Where’s Woofy? Let’s leave before I die of secondhand embarrassment."

  Kaelen grinned. "Hey, I could give you two a minute—"

  "Shut up, Kaelen."

  The moment Woofy arrived, the massive creature’s presence cast a deep shadow over the marshy ground. The light rippling off its scales shimmered like the reflections of a hidden lake, and the sheer size of it made Elena’s mouth part in shock.

  “It’s even bigger than I remember…” she whispered in awe, her golden eyes widening as she took in every detail—the smooth, towering body, the powerful legs, the ridges along its back.

  Then, in a blur of excitement, she bolted forward.

  "ELENA—!" Ember started, but Elena was already climbing up its massive side, disappearing into the entrance of the same cave they had stayed in before.

  Ember sighed, rubbing her forehead before following her—though at a much calmer pace.

  Inside, Woofy’s cavernous insides were just as she remembered. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and the distant hum of the creature’s breathing. Elena was already spinning in circles, taking everything in with a breathless smile, holding Snacks in her arms like he was a stuffed toy.

  "We’re back! Can you believe it, Ember?!" Elena grinned, her voice dripping with excitement. "This time, I’m going to see everything! All the views, all the places—"

  "You’re going to sit down," Ember said firmly, stepping forward and grabbing Elena’s wrist before she could run off again.

  Elena pouted dramatically. "You’re so mean, Ember. Just let me—"

  "No."

  "Why not?"

  "Because you will literally fall off Woofy, and I’m not diving after you."

  "Tch. As if I’d fall." Elena rolled her eyes but let herself be pulled back toward the camp that was now forming inside Woofy’s belly.

  That’s when Ember noticed something—

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  The Aeylrs weren’t just lying on the floor this time.

  Many of them were setting up small tents and makeshift beds, using the techniques that she and Elena had taught them back in the swamp. A quiet sort of warmth spread in Ember’s chest. She hadn’t even realized how much of an impact they had made on the Aeylrs' way of living.

  She nodded in approval and went to build their own camp again.

  Meanwhile, Elena, still bouncing with excitement, hugged Snacks even tighter.

  The poor Ki-Rin let out a muffled squeak, its tiny horns twitching as it tried to wiggle out of her grasp.

  Ember raised an eyebrow. "If you keep squeezing him like that, he’s going to pop."

  "He’s just so soft!" Elena whined, burying her face into Snacks’ fur.

  Snacks, looking like a victim of unwanted affection, flailed his tiny legs helplessly, his golden fur slightly ruffled from the onslaught. He let out a desperate little chirp.

  Ember sighed, reaching over to pry him away from Elena’s grip. "Alright, let him breathe, you menace."

  Elena pouted again but reluctantly loosened her hold, allowing Snacks to scramble onto Ember’s shoulder like his life depended on it.

  As Elena tried to steal him back, Ember held her back with one hand, smirking.

  "I’m doing this for his safety," Ember said. "He’s traumatized."

  Elena crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at her. "You just want him to like you more than me."

  Ember leaned in slightly, her voice teasing. "And what if I do?"

  Elena gasped dramatically, then lunged forward again for Snacks. The three of them tumbled onto the soft furs of their camp, laughter echoing through the caves

  The night was falling softly around them, the air cool and gentle as it whispered through the trees, weaving through the vast, ancient ruins where Woofy had chosen to rest. Inside their cave, Ember and Elena sat together, surrounded by the peculiar food the Aeylrs enjoyed—oddly sweet, chewy, and earthy. The strange yet comforting texture of it was something they’d gotten used to during their stay. The flickering fire cast dancing shadows on the walls as they ate in silence, but the quiet wasn’t uncomfortable. They’d grown used to the peaceful lulls of their journey—just being in each other’s presence was enough.

  Ember leaned back against the cool stone, her eyes glinting as she looked toward the entrance of the cave, where the sky was beginning to darken.

  “The night’s always so beautiful here,” she murmured, her voice filled with a quiet wonder. She had always loved the sky—especially in places like this. The swamp’s endless canopy had never allowed her to gaze up at the stars with such clarity.

  Beside her, Elena looked up as well, her golden eyes reflecting the speckles of light above them, her gaze soft but distant, as though she were thinking about something deep. She turned her body slightly toward Ember, drawing her knees up to her chest as she looked out at the creatures floating silently in the dark sky. There was a serenity in the air now, a stillness that felt almost like the world itself had decided to stop just for them.

  As they sat there in silence, the hum of the night and the distant calls of unknown creatures filled the air. The faint glow of the creatures above cast a soft, calming light across the cave’s entrance.

  “You know,” Elena’s voice broke the stillness, a little hesitant at first, as if she had been holding this in for a long time, “I always thought that I would find a way to make things work. I always thought that I could figure out who I was, what I wanted.”

  Ember turned her head toward Elena, her brow furrowing slightly in concern. Elena had always been open about her thoughts, but there was something different in her tone tonight—something deeper, more vulnerable.

  “What do you mean?” Ember asked softly, her voice steady as she reached out, brushing a lock of hair from Elena’s face.

  Elena’s golden eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. It was as if time slowed, and the only thing that existed was the closeness between them, the warmth of their bodies, the shared history of their journey. Elena held Ember’s gaze, her heart pounding beneath her chest.

  “I think…” Elena hesitated, biting her lip. The words seemed to hang in the air, uncertain but necessary. “I think I always knew. But I never said it out loud. I think I always knew that it was you. You were always the one. You were the person who saw me—really saw me. I couldn’t ever put it into words before, but now I can feel it in every part of me. Even if I didn’t know how to say it or when the right moment would come…”

  Ember’s breath caught in her throat, and her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected Elena to say something like this—at least, not so openly, not so vulnerably. For a moment, Ember could only stare, her mouth slightly agape, as she tried to find the words to respond. "You—"

  Before she could finish, Elena leaned in a little closer, her hand reaching out hesitantly, as though she were still unsure if she should take this step. But when she did, she took Ember’s hand gently, threading their fingers together. The simple act seemed so natural, so right.

  “I’ve always liked you, Ember,” Elena continued, her voice steady but full of emotion, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I think… I think I was just afraid. I was afraid that you didn’t feel the same way. I didn’t want to lose what we had, so I kept it to myself. But now…”

  Her voice faltered slightly, but her resolve stayed strong. “Now, I don’t want to hide anymore. I don’t want to keep pretending that it’s not there. I just want to be with you. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

  Ember’s heart felt like it was about to burst. There was so much she wanted to say, so much that she had been holding back—feelings that had been there from the start, but she didn’t know how to express them in the right way. She opened her mouth, but the words came out in a soft whisper, almost as though she was afraid to speak too loudly, afraid to shatter the intimacy of this moment. “I… I’ve always known, too.”

  Elena blinked, her eyes widening a little. She didn’t say anything at first, just watched Ember with an intensity that made Ember’s stomach flip. “What do you mean?” she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the delicate moment they were sharing.

  “I always knew,” Ember repeated, her voice barely above a breath. “I always knew that you were the one. I just… I didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid of pushing you away. I was afraid that I wasn’t enough, that maybe you’d look at me and decide you wanted something else. But I’m… I’m glad you never gave up on me, Elena.”

  The two of them sat there for a moment, simply looking at each other, the weight of their unspoken words hanging between them like a delicate thread. Then, Elena, her voice breaking the silence with a tenderness that made Ember’s heart swell, said softly, “I’m not going anywhere, Ember. I’m yours. And I always will be.”

  And with that, the last of the walls that had kept them apart fell. Elena’s face softened, and before Ember could even think, she leaned forward, her lips gently pressing against Ember’s.

  The kiss wasn’t rushed—it wasn’t hurried or forced. It was slow and tender, an exchange of emotions that had built up over days, weeks, months, and possibly years. It was everything they had been too afraid to say, everything they had both been waiting for.

  When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, breaths coming in soft pants. “I think I’ll miss this,” Elena whispered, her voice full of emotion. “I’ll miss us. But I’m so glad we found each other.”

  Ember nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll miss this, too. But wherever we go from here…” She paused, her voice gaining strength. “We’ll go together. Always.”

  The morning light crept softly into their tent, a gentle breeze stirring the air as Elena and Ember woke up to the bustling sounds of the Aeylrs preparing to leave. The rich, fresh scent of the open field filled their senses, mingling with the excitement of the day ahead. Snacks, now appearing slightly larger than before, nestled between them, stretching out as if to claim more space.

  Elena rubbed her eyes, stretching as she sat up, glancing over at Ember, who was already awake and sitting cross-legged, fiddling with her things. The warmth of the morning sun bathed them in soft light, and Elena couldn't help but smile at the peaceful moment before things would get complicated again.

  “Morning,” Elena said, her voice still sleepy, but a playful tone hidden beneath it.

  “Morning,” Ember replied, her eyes soft as she looked over at Elena, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Ready to move on?”

  Elena nodded, stretching her arms above her head. “Yeah, just… one more look at this place before we go.”

  The beautiful, lush field outside their tent seemed to stretch on forever, wildflowers in full bloom, and towering trees swaying gently in the breeze. It almost felt like a dream. She took out her map, squinting at it as she traced the route to the ruins.

  “This is it, Ember,” Elena said, pointing to a marked spot on the map. “According to this, the ruins should be just over there.” She pointed to her right, where a large hill rose in the distance. Far off in the horizon, they could see something—perhaps the ruins or something that resembled them.

  Ember raised an eyebrow, glancing over at the distant spot Elena indicated. “We should leave soon then,” she said with determination, pushing herself to her feet.

  As they made their way outside the tent, the bustling of the Aeylrs was evident. Everyone was busy packing up, preparing for the long journey ahead. Elena noticed a few of them sharing farewell words, others huddling together, some even giving one last look at the scenery. She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness, knowing this chapter of their journey was closing.

  Freya and Maia appeared beside them just as they were about to leave. There was something different in their expressions—sadness, perhaps? Freya’s eyes were more distant than usual, and Maia, though always composed, had a softness in her gaze.

  “You’re leaving?” Freya asked, her voice trembling slightly.

  Elena and Ember exchanged a glance, both knowing that this day would come. “Yeah, it’s time,” Elena replied softly, trying to smile through the bittersweet feeling that gripped her chest.

  Maia stepped closer, her hands lightly clasped together as she spoke in a quieter voice. “You’ve both been incredible,” she said, her gaze lingering on Ember for a moment longer. “We’ll miss you.”

  Ember shifted uncomfortably but tried to mask it with a forced smile. “We’ll miss you too,” she said, trying to keep it together, but inside, her heart was heavy.

  Maia suddenly leaned in and whispered something in Ember’s ear. It was so soft, Elena barely heard it, but the look on Ember’s face said it all. She blushed deeply, her face going from neutral to crimson in a heartbeat. Elena’s eyes narrowed, and she took a subtle step forward, a frown forming. She didn’t like the look of this. Her protective instinct kicked in as she narrowed her eyes at Maia, who gave her a quick, apologetic glance, before stepping back.

  “What's that about?” Elena asked, her voice sharp, though she tried to keep it calm.

  Ember cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to divert attention. “It’s nothing, just… a bit of advice,” she said, not meeting Elena’s gaze. “Let’s just—let’s just go.”

  Elena wasn’t fully convinced but decided not to press further, at least for now. She didn’t want to ruin their last moments with the Aeylrs by letting jealousy get the best of her.

  The goodbye wasn’t easy. Kaelen was waiting for them nearby, his usual stoic expression now cracked with emotion. He didn’t say anything at first—just pulled them both into a tight hug. The raw emotion on his face tugged at their hearts, and they stood there, locked in his embrace for a long moment.

  “I’m going to miss you both,” Kaelen whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. “You two were like the light for this group… we’ve learned so much from you.”

  Ember’s throat tightened, and she pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes quickly. “Kaelen, we’re not gone forever. We’ll come back, we’ll visit.”

  “I know… but it won’t be the same.” Kaelen’s voice cracked slightly as he spoke, his hands resting on their shoulders. “Take care of each other. You’ve got the strength to face whatever’s ahead.”

  Ember nodded, her emotions a tangled mess she didn’t quite know how to untangle. She looked over at Elena, seeing the same sadness reflected in her eyes. But there was something else—something deeper. Something that made her feel as though no matter where their journey took them, they would always be together.

  “Thank you, Kaelen,” Elena said softly, giving him a sincere, warm smile. “We’ll never forget this place. And we’ll come back, promise.”

  Ember picked up Snacks, who had been resting in Elena’s arms, and slung her bag over her shoulder. With one final glance back at their friends, Elena and Ember set off toward the distant ruins.

  The air was fresh, the ground soft beneath their feet, but there was a weight to their steps. Not just the weight of the journey ahead, but the weight of all the goodbyes they’d had to say.

  “Do you think we’ll ever come back?” Elena asked, her voice soft as they walked side by side.

  “I don’t know,” Ember replied, her voice steady but carrying a trace of sadness. “But what matters is what happens now.

  They walked on in silence for a while, the heavy air filled with unspoken words, until they reached the foot of the hill that would take them to the ruins. Elena’s hand brushed Ember’s, and she looked up at her, offering a small but genuine smile.

  The day stretched on as Ember and Elena approached a clearing in the distance, the air growing thick with an eerie quietness. It wasn’t like the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the other lands they had passed through. Instead, a chilling yet inviting presence hovered over the place ahead. It seemed as if the very air hummed with a soft, unseen energy, as though the ruins themselves were alive, waiting for something or someone. The path to this mysterious place had been different too—less traveled, overgrown with thick vegetation, the grass higher than usual. The trees here seemed older, their branches twisted, creating a canopy of gnarled, shadowed limbs that barely let the sunlight through.

  Snacks, who had been playful and energetic throughout their journey, suddenly halted in his tracks. His body tensed, his ears flattened against his head as he looked at the ruins before them. His nostrils flared as he sniffed the air, but something in the atmosphere made him hesitate. A low, cautious growl rumbled from his throat.

  Ember furrowed her brow, noticing the shift in Snacks’ behavior. "What’s wrong with you, Snacks?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with concern. The little ki-rin wasn’t one to shy away from new places, especially places that smelled interesting, but now, he refused to take another step closer to the ruins.

  Elena looked down at Snacks, a frown tugging at her lips. “He doesn’t want to go in…” Her voice trailed off, a knot tightening in her stomach. “That’s not like him.”

  Ember didn’t immediately react, but the change in Snacks’ demeanor made her even more cautious. She had always trusted the instincts of the creatures around her, and if Snacks felt something was off, it was better to listen. She took a deep breath, gathering herself. “Maybe it’s not safe," she said quietly, though the curiosity that drove her to explore the ruins had not faded. Something about this place felt familiar, like it was calling to her, beckoning her to uncover its secrets.

  The ruins themselves were unlike anything they had encountered before. The buildings loomed ahead—massive stone structures covered in layers of moss and thick vines that seemed to pulse with life. The architecture was strangely organic, unlike the straight lines and angular shapes of other human-made buildings. The walls curved like the trunks of ancient trees, and the stones themselves appeared to have a living quality, as though they had been molded by something far beyond human hands. The texture of the stone was not like anything they had ever felt. It was cool to the touch, yet soft in a way that felt almost velvety. The moss covering the surface seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light, and the vines twisted up the walls in intricate patterns, almost like they were telling a story of their own.

  Ember’s hand brushed against one of the walls, and she couldn’t help but shiver at the sensation. The surface wasn’t just stone—it felt more like a living organism, breathing with the rhythm of the earth. The texture beneath her fingertips was smooth yet uneven, as if the stone had been shaped by the natural forces of the world over time, much like the roots of trees pushing through soil.

  "Do you feel that?" Elena asked softly, her eyes scanning the ruins as she joined Ember, placing her hand on the same wall. Her voice was tinged with awe. "It’s like it’s alive. Like it remembers us."

  Ember nodded, her eyes narrowing in focus. “It’s different from anything I’ve ever seen. The materials... they don’t feel like wood, but they don’t feel like stone either. It’s almost like... like they’ve been grown here.”

  The walls were indeed unlike anything Ember had ever touched. They had the softness of bark, the coolness of stone, but there was something more. Something ancient about it. The texture under her fingertips was almost warm, as though the stone had absorbed the warmth of the sun over centuries, and it had retained that warmth in its deep crevices. The air seemed to shift around them, charged with an unspoken power.

  As they walked deeper into the ruins, the buildings grew more elaborate. Columns twisted up toward the sky, curling and spiraling like the trunks of enormous trees. Massive archways lined the walls, covered in moss that dangled like curtains. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, the earth disturbed by the slow passage of time. Small plants and flowers bloomed in the cracks of the walls, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the deep greens of the moss.

  “Do you think the Iorphs lived here?” Elena whispered, her voice reverent as she looked around, trying to absorb the history surrounding them.

  Ember couldn’t tear her eyes away from the towering structures. “I think this was a place for them,” she murmured, her hand brushing a hanging vine. "This... this must be where they once lived. Or at least, where they came to worship, or... learn."

  The silence of the ruins was deafening, and yet, there was a strange sense of peace that settled over them. Despite the mystery surrounding the place, Ember felt something calling to her, something that she couldn’t quite explain. She turned to Elena, her expression unreadable.

  “Stay close,” Ember said, her voice serious. “This place... it feels different. Be careful.”

  As they ventured deeper into the heart of the ruins, the strange unease that hung in the air seemed to grow heavier. Snacks had reluctantly followed them into the ruins, though his movements were cautious and deliberate. He constantly glanced over his shoulder, ears twitching at every sound, as though he were listening for something that they couldn’t hear.

  The further they walked, the more the walls seemed to whisper. The gentle rustling of the vines seemed almost deliberate, like they were moving of their own accord. There was a sense that something was waiting for them, hidden in the shadows of the ancient city. A part of Ember longed to unravel its secrets, but another part, the part that trusted her instincts, urged caution.

  “This place feels... wrong,” Elena muttered under her breath, her eyes scanning their surroundings. “Like it’s watching us.”

  Ember didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she reached out, running her hand over another wall, trying to make sense of the pull she felt. The warmth from the stones seemed to seep into her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. It was then that she realized: whatever had been here—whatever had built this place—had long since gone. And yet, the ruins felt as if they were waiting for something—or someone—to return.

  She glanced at Elena, her expression serious. “Let’s be careful. There’s something... off about this place. We don’t know what we’ll find here.”

  But deep down, Ember knew that this was only the beginning. The ruins weren’t just a place of history; they were a key to understanding something much greater. The question was—what was hidden here?