The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting a soft, golden light over the village of Turnipton as Marcus and Kira set out on the road to Evershade. The peaceful sounds of birdsong and the rustling leaves felt at odds with the weight of their journey. Marcus felt the pulse of the Heart of the Forest inside him, a constant reminder of the responsibility he now carried.
Kira walked beside him, her bow slung over her shoulder and her sharp eyes scanning the road ahead. The path to Evershade was long, and while they had faced many dangers before, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for them beyond the horizon—something darker.
"So, what's this mage like?" Marcus asked, breaking the silence. "The one we're going to find in Evershade."
