Days before Rizki and Liora's planned departure, they rode through the dense forest, Liora seated comfortably behind Rizki. The air was thick with the scent of pine needles and damp earth, and the only sound was the rhythmic clopping of hooves against the soft forest floor.
"You won't use Excalibur, will you?" Liora inquired, her voice barely a whisper amidst the rustling leaves.
Rizki shook his head, his dark eyes glinting with determination. "Only in an emergency," he replied, his voice low and gravelly. "It's a weapon of last resort, to be used only when there is no other choice."
His gaze drifted towards the dense undergrowth, his expression hardening. "This forest gives me an unsettling feeling," he admitted, his voice laced with unease. "It's like being in a speeding car that slams to a sudden halt, leaving you with a jolt of adrenaline and a sense of dread."
