The sun had barely risen as Aria, Lyrien, and Thorne ventured beyond the familiar boundary of Brindlemark. The village, nestled in the valley, quickly became a distant memory, the thatched roofs and stone walls obscured by the rising mist. The path before them was overgrown, wild, and untamed, much like the world Aria was about to step into.
The cold morning air bit at her cheeks, the chill sinking into her bones despite the layers of clothing she wore. She walked alongside Lyrien and Thorne, their footsteps soft against the frost-covered ground. Aria could hear the distant call of birds overhead and the rustling of leaves as the wind shifted. It was a peaceful moment, but there was an undercurrent of tension—an unspoken weight that hovered between them.
"We'll head to Eldrador first," Lyrien said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, steady, but there was a sharpness to it, as if he were always alert, always calculating. "It's the closest place where we can find the answers we need."
Aria nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure what answers he was talking about. Her mind was still spinning from the conversation with Elara. The Amulet of Light. The Shadow. Everything was happening so fast, so impossibly fast, and it felt like her world had been turned upside down. Just yesterday, she was hammering away in the forge, shaping metal like she had for years. Now, she was on the run, about to face something far darker than any blade she'd ever forged.
"We'll have to cross the River Eldra," Thorne added, his deep voice cutting through her thoughts. "It's swift this time of year. We'll need to find a safe crossing."
Aria glanced at him, her brow furrowing. "How far is it?"
"Not far," he said. "But it's dangerous in the winter. The current's strong. We'll have to be careful."
Aria's stomach tightened. She had never crossed the River Eldra herself, but she had heard the stories. Those who had tried and failed, the boats that capsized, the people who were swept away. The river was as much a part of Brindlemark as the forge itself, but it was wild and untamable.
"And after the river?" Aria asked, trying to distract herself from the thoughts of the river's dangerous waters. "Where do we go next?"
Lyrien glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if considering her question carefully. "We'll travel east. There's a hidden temple in the mountains where the Amulet is said to rest. It's where the first wielder of the Amulet found it."
"A temple in the mountains?" Aria asked, incredulous. "How do we even find it?"
Lyrien's gaze turned distant, as if he were seeing something beyond the horizon. "The path isn't easy to follow. It's a journey for those who know where to look—and those who are chosen to find it." His eyes flickered back to hers, his voice steady but carrying a hidden weight. "It will take time. But we'll find it, Aria. You must trust that."
Trust. The word lingered in the air, filling the space between them. Aria wasn't sure she trusted anyone, least of all herself. But she didn't have a choice. She was already committed to this journey, to this path that had been thrust upon her. And deep down, something inside her urged her to keep moving forward.
As they walked, Aria couldn't help but notice the change in the landscape. The trees, tall and imposing in the village's outskirts, grew sparser the further they traveled. The ground beneath them was uneven, rocky in places, and the air had an edge to it—a biting cold that seemed to creep into her bones. She felt the shift in the world around her, the sense that they were leaving the safety of Brindlemark behind and entering a new world altogether.
The silence between them stretched as the hours passed. Lyrien's staff tapped softly against the earth, the sound steady and rhythmic, while Thorne walked ahead, his gaze scanning the land with practiced precision. Aria found herself walking in step with them, but her thoughts were elsewhere—on her family, on the village, on everything she had left behind.
What would they think of her? Would they be safe? Aria knew the Shadow's return would bring chaos, but she couldn't help but feel guilty for leaving them behind. They needed her. They didn't deserve to be caught in whatever darkness was coming.
"Aria," Lyrien's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. "The path ahead is dangerous. You must prepare yourself for what's to come."
Aria met his gaze, her heart racing. "What do you mean?"
He paused, the weight of his words settling between them. "There will be tests along the way—tests of strength, of will. The Amulet can only be wielded by those who are ready. You must prove yourself, or it will be lost to you forever."
The thought of losing the Amulet sent a shiver down Aria's spine. She couldn't let that happen—not when the fate of everything she cared about rested on her shoulders. She had to prove herself. She had to be strong.
The journey continued in silence for a while longer, the sounds of their footsteps echoing through the quiet forest. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground. Aria's muscles ached, but she didn't dare complain. She had already made the choice to leave Brindlemark behind, and she couldn't afford to falter now.
By the time they reached the River Eldra, the sky had darkened, the horizon streaked with the soft oranges and purples of the approaching evening. The river's waters rushed and churned below them, a swirling mass of icy currents. Aria stared at the wide expanse of water, her heart pounding in her chest. The thought of crossing it made her stomach twist.
"We'll need to find a safe place to cross," Thorne said, his voice low. "Stay close. Do exactly as I say."
They made their way downstream, searching for a crossing. The current was stronger than Aria had imagined, and the rocks beneath the water were slippery, making the footing treacherous. The chill of the river's water crept up her legs as she waded in, but she gritted her teeth and pushed forward, her eyes fixed on the bank ahead.
"Almost there," Lyrien murmured, his staff steady in his hand as he moved gracefully through the water.
Aria's heart raced, but she didn't let the fear take hold. She kept her eyes on the shore, focusing on each step, trusting in Thorne and Lyrien. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached the other side, their feet solid on the ground once more.
Breathing heavily, Aria stepped onto the dry land, her clothes dripping wet. She glanced back at the river, the wild current now behind them.
"That wasn't so bad," Aria said, forcing a smile.
Lyrien shot her a sideways glance, a faint smirk on his lips. "You're stronger than you think."
Thorne gave a low grunt of approval. "You'll need that strength. This journey is just beginning."