The afternoon sky slowly turned amber, casting golden light upon the dry earth scattered with fallen, aging leaves. Clara, Liorin, and Lux made their way down a rocky path that wound along the edge of a small forest. In the distance, birds flew home in a V formation, singing their evening song as if to accompany their journey.
Clara's steps were unhurried, as if she wished to absorb everything laid out before her. The evening breeze brushed against her face, carrying the calming scent of wild plants and decaying leaves.
Lux walked ahead, tail held high, occasionally stopping to glance back, making sure Clara was still following. The little fox seemed to understand how important this moment was to his master.
"The sky here... it's different from where I used to live," Clara spoke softly, breaking the gentle silence that wrapped around them.
"You lived in the highlands?" asked Liorin, his eyes scanning their surroundings with the keen perception of a seasoned traveler.
"You could say that. A quiet village near valleys and rivers. But I never truly felt how vast this world is."
Liorin offered a faint smile. "That's because the world never shows its full face to those who haven't stepped out into it."
Clara gazed up at the deepening sky. "And now that I've stepped out... it's like the world is trying to greet me—whether kindly… or not."
Liorin didn't answer right away. Instead, he bent down to pick up a small stone and tossed it toward a bush.
"You know... when I first started traveling, I thought I'd quickly find all the answers. But the further I went, the more questions appeared."
"That's… rather sad," Clara replied softly.
"Not really. It made me feel more alive. More aware that I'm not just seeking answers, but also trying to find out who I truly am."
Clara lowered her gaze, the weight of his words settling gently in her heart. Still, her pace remained steady and slow.
Liorin glanced briefly at Clara. "By the way, I've been wondering… that crystal necklace is beautiful. Was it your mother's?"
Clara looked up at him with a startled expression. "Um... I think so…"
Liorin didn't react to her hesitation. "I'm sure your mother would be proud of what you're doing now," he said with a sincere smile, hoping to ease whatever unease she held inside.
"I... I don't know who my mother is. I don't even remember her face," Clara admitted, her tone quiet and tinged with sadness, though she still managed a gentle smile in return.
"That's alright. Just because you don't remember her doesn't mean you don't love her. And I believe she must have loved you too. That's the essence of a mother," Liorin offered, trying to lighten the moment.
"You're right. I'm sure my mother was someone strong and resilient."
"Absolutely," Liorin nodded.
They walked on, silence returning like an old friend. Only the soft crunch of their footsteps on the root-laced path accompanied them. The remaining sunlight began to retreat behind the hills, casting hues of pink across the deepening blue sky.
Lux began to slow down, his nose twitching—he had picked up a new scent. In the distance, the shadows of trees shifted hue, bathed in the amber light that shimmered through dense foliage.
"We're almost at the maple forest," said Liorin, pointing ahead. "It's a good place to spend the night. Quiet… and well hidden."
"You've been here before?" Clara asked.
"I have. Long ago, I joined a field study trip. My mentor used to say—this forest is like the human heart. Calm on the surface, but hiding many voices within," Liorin replied, his head tilted toward the sky, watching clouds drift lazily past.
Clara glanced at Lux, who had run ahead to greet the moist earth. She took a deep breath.
"I hope we can really rest tonight…"
"We will," Liorin replied, turning to her with a warm smile. "We're travelers, not fugitives. We're not running from anything—we're heading toward hope."
And so, they stepped into the maple forest—where the last rays of sunlight danced through the falling leaves, casting glimmers of gold like living threads of light. The air was gentle and cool, tinged with the scent of damp earth and sweet tree sap.
"This soil is good for resting," Liorin said calmly, yet firmly. "The sky is changing."
Clara nodded. She gently picked up Lux and placed him on a bed of dry leaves. The small fox curled up, stretching before wrapping his tail around his body and falling asleep.
Liorin removed his long cloak and spread it on the ground for them to sit. Clara sat cross-legged beside him, her eyes drifting up to the tall trees that seemed to wave slowly in the breeze.
"This forest feels… protected from the chaos outside," Clara finally spoke, her voice low and thoughtful.
Liorin leaned back against a sturdy tree trunk. His eyes watched as the sky bloomed in shades of amber and violet. "Maple forests are known for their peace. In the past, scholars and sages would come here to seek inspiration—and answers."
Clara looked down at the sleeping Lux, then back to Liorin. "Seems like you know a lot about this place."
"As I said earlier," Liorin replied. "Besides, I've been traveling for three years. It makes sense that I've come to know more than just a few places."
Clara smiled faintly. The wind brushed her face gently, pushing stray strands of hair to the side. She drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, as though hugging herself.
"Liorin," she called softly. "Why did you agree to follow me?"
Liorin didn't respond immediately. He plucked a maple leaf and traced its fine veins with his fingers.
"I'm not sure. Maybe I still don't know why I followed you."
Clara turned to him, a bit surprised. "So, you're just following me without a reason?"
"Perhaps…" he said, his eyes still fixed on the leaf. "…Back then, there was someone I deeply admired. Her face was radiant despite her age, her spirit strong, always full of life, and what I loved most was her sincerity. She was a light when I was drowning in my own pride. And now, the world no longer remembers someone like her."
His voice faded, as if reluctant to go on, but he masked it by saying that perhaps the world hides beauty behind the greed and desire of its people.
Clara simply nodded, touched by Liorin's story.
Lux stirred gently, yawning before stepping over to Clara and resting his head on her lap. Clara stroked his soft fur as he closed his eyes in peaceful slumber.
"I hope… this journey will bring us answers, not more questions," Clara murmured.
"Sometimes, the answer lies in the journey itself—not the destination," Liorin replied, his voice like an echo from the twilight sky.
Silence wrapped around them again. Only the sound of falling leaves and distant night insects filled the air. Clara leaned back against the tree, and Liorin continued to gaze upward.
The sky now neared complete darkness—but the first star had appeared on the canvas above, twinkling shyly as if to welcome two souls still searching for direction… and a little fox who would bear witness to the story about to unfold.