Lost in thought, Zalya began piecing together the fragments of the conversation she had overheard. The words 'ritual,' 'carving,' and 'enough' continuously echoed in her mind. Those who were carved were undoubtedly marked for sacrifice, but to what end? What sinister ritual were these soldiers planning? The mention of the keyword 'thunder' suggested it held some significance.
As she mentally sifted through the possibilities, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught her attention. Instinctively, the group prepared for another confrontation, weapons at the ready.
But when they saw Alrict and Liora emerge from the shadows, their tensed muscles relaxed, and relief washed over them. The absence of any markings or injuries on Alrict and Liora made it clear that they weren't the ones the soldiers had been discussing earlier.
