He had intended to live alone, away from the intricacies of the world, but perhaps fate had a different plan.
A light breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of earth and life, as if the world was acknowledging his acceptance of this new path.
*****
The group had been traveling for hours, the dense forest enveloping them in an ever-growing silence, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves underfoot. Feng Liang led them forward with ease, though his mind was far from still.
Every step, every breath of cool forest air brought a new wave of thoughts and reflections, the likes of which gnawed at his consciousness, threatening to pull him into an unending sea of questions and possibilities.
He glanced to his side, where the two children... Bu Fan and his younger sister... trudged along in quiet submission, the weight of the world seemingly resting on their fragile shoulders.
