Morning came, but Leon felt no rest.
Even after the figure had disappeared, its words clung to him like a shadow.
"Once you know… you will have no choice but to act."
What did that mean? What knowledge could be so dangerous that simply knowing it would force him to act?
Leon flexed his marked hand, feeling the lingering energy pulsing beneath his skin. The mark was changing.
And someone—or something—had taken notice.
---
Jarek's Complaints & Kaelen's Silence
Jarek stretched, groaning as he stood. "Alright, new rule: No more camping near haunted ruins."
Leon smirked. "Noted."
Jarek eyed him. "You're not even denying it anymore. That's the worst part."
Kaelen remained silent, his gaze scanning the forest. His golden eyes were distant, thoughtful.
Leon noticed. "You're thinking about that figure from last night."
Kaelen didn't deny it. "It knew you."
Leon nodded. "It knew my mark, at least."
Jarek raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't think to wake me?"
"You were snoring too loudly to hear anything," Leon said dryly.
Jarek scowled. "Unbelievable. The one time something cryptic and possibly world-ending happens, and I miss it."
Leon shook his head. "You didn't miss much. Just another reminder that I don't understand half of what's happening to me."
Kaelen finally spoke. "Then we must find answers."
Leon exhaled. "Yeah. But where do we start?"
Kaelen didn't hesitate.
"The South."
---
A Beastman's Instinct
Leon frowned. "The South? You mean the Beastman Continent?"
Kaelen nodded. "If your mark is changing, then the answer lies where it began. And there is only one place where power like this has been seen before."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "You've seen something like this before?"
Kaelen was quiet for a moment. Then—
"Not in my lifetime. But in the stories of my ancestors."
Jarek crossed his arms. "Great. More legends. Because that worked so well for us last time."
Kaelen ignored him. "The Beastman Continent is ancient. Older than the Holy Empire, older than human kingdoms. There are places where the world is… thinner. Where power does not sleep."
Leon thought back to the Hollow's presence. The strange shift in reality. The voice beyond.
It made sense.
Jarek sighed. "So, what? We just pack up and head straight into a continent full of warriors who might not even like us being there?"
Kaelen's gaze hardened. "I will ensure we are not unwelcome."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You still have connections?"
Kaelen's jaw tightened. "Enough."
Leon didn't press.
He had the feeling Kaelen's past was a whole different mystery.
But for now—they had a destination.
And something told Leon that whatever answers they found in the South…
Would change everything.
---
The Journey Begins
By midday, they were moving again.
Leon felt it in his bones—the shift in his path.
He wasn't just chasing secrets anymore.
He was being led.
And whatever was waiting in the Beastman Continent…
It was watching.
---