After hours of trekking through the unknown forest, I felt the energy fluctuations of the ring gradually stabilize. Despite the system's guidance, the fear of being alone and the memory of Cain's sacrifice still hung over me like a shadow.
"Soren?" I tried calling out in my mind, with a hint of hope. "Don't tell me you're still asleep."
There was no response.
"Soren, I know you can hear me. Don't tell me the rift energy in this world is so weak that it's rendered you completely mute." I said with a touch of sarcasm, hoping to provoke a response from him.
After a brief pause, the runes on the ring flickered slightly, followed by Soren's low voice:
"Mortals, you're still alive."
Hearing his familiar mockery, I actually felt a sense of reassurance. "Yes, I'm alive, though I almost died on the other side of the portal. Where exactly did you go?"
