As the group began their journey toward the flux point Commander Grey had marked on the map, the atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation. The reason they were walking instead of flying with Kali, as they had earlier, was because of Kaelen's reasoning. He wanted to preserve her strength for the challenges they would undoubtedly face, and he also wished to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. In her crow form, Kali perched silently on Kaelen's shoulder, her gleaming eyes were scanning their surroundings with an alertness that mirrored his.
The Wastes stretched out before them, a desolate expanse that seemed to echo with a mournful, unearthly hum. The ground beneath their boots was dry and cracked, its surface riddled with jagged fissures that hinted at the instability of the terrain. Occasional gusts of wind carried with them a fine, gritty dust that clung to their armor and clothes.
