Emerging from the dense foliage that marks the boundary of the once mighty but now fallen sect, Argon, Morgrim, and Seraphine halt their advance, drawn to the source of the unexpected laughter. The three teenagers are still far away, so they don't see Argon's group.
The group consists of two young men and a woman, their demeanor light and carefree, starkly contrasting with the solemnity of their surroundings. The young woman, her brows furrowed with concern, breaks the silence first. "Hey, is it really okay to come here?" she asks, her voice tinged with hesitation. "There's a rumor that there's a monster in this sect."
