The road stretched out like a fraying ribbon, winding through rolling hills that seemed to rise and fall endlessly beneath the caravan's steady progress. The morning air was cool, carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers and earth. Kael sat at the edge of the last wagon, his boots swinging slightly as he watched the landscape pass by.
The atmosphere among the travelers was quieter now. Conversations had dwindled into the occasional murmur, and the creak of the wagons filled the silence. Kael had grown accustomed to the rhythm of the journey, the way it forced him into his own thoughts.
Halfway there. The phrase lingered in his mind, heavy and meaningless at the same time. Being halfway meant being stuck in limbo, far from the safety of Alsta and even farther from the answers waiting in Eclipsevane. Did it even matter if he made it there? What if Lysa was wrong about everything? He brushed the thought aside, unwilling to unpack it just yet.
Taron's sharp voice cut through his musings, calling for the caravan to halt. "Alright, everyone, this is where we stop for the day. Those heading further west, you're on your own from here."
Kael hopped down from the wagon, stretching as he glanced at the other travelers. Most began unloading their supplies, their expressions a mix of relief and trepidation. For Kael, the moment felt heavier—like the start of something he wasn't entirely ready for.
Taron approached him, his sharp eyes scanning Kael's face. "This is your stop, kid. Blackstone Crossing is a straight shot from here. You should reach it by sundown if you don't dawdle."
Kael nodded, slinging his pack over his shoulder. "Thanks for the ride."
"Don't thank me yet," Taron said with a wry smirk. "You've got the hard part ahead."
Kael felt the truth of the words settle in his chest like a stone. Wandering into the unknown with no backup and no clear plan wasn't exactly his idea of a good time. It's fine, Kael. Just another adventure into nowhere. What could possibly go wrong? His inner sarcasm offered little comfort.
Taron clapped him on the shoulder, his expression turning more serious. "Stay sharp out there, Kael. And if you see something you can't explain? Walk the other way."
Kael chuckled dryly, the sound hollow in the quiet. "Sound advice."
As the caravan began to settle for their own camp, Kael turned toward the road ahead. The path stretched out before him, narrow and overgrown in places. The forest that had once surrounded them had given way to sparse fields and jagged rocks. Even the breeze felt wrong—too quiet, too hollow.
He adjusted his pack, taking a deep breath as he started forward. The uneven dirt road crunched beneath his boots, and the sound echoed in the stillness around him. Alright, Lysa, this is your big plan. Throw Kael into the wilderness and hope he doesn't get himself killed. Brilliant strategy.
The thought brought a faint smirk to his lips, though the unease in his chest lingered. The open terrain felt exposed, like he was walking under an unseen gaze. He kept his focus on the horizon, pushing away the discomfort. Don't psych yourself out. It's just another road. Nothing special.
A faint sound carried on the wind, so soft that Kael almost didn't notice it. He froze, his head tilting slightly as he listened. It was distant and indistinct, like a whisper echoing through the hills. His eyes scanned the horizon, searching for the source, but there was nothing—just the endless stretch of road and the rustle of tall grass.
Probably just the wind, he told himself, though his fingers tightened slightly on the straps of his pack. The sound faded, leaving only the rhythm of his heartbeat and the steady crunch of his boots on the dirt.
Kael stopped just before the road forked into uneven trails, staring at the path Taron had pointed out earlier. Blackstone Crossing. The name felt unfamiliar, like a vague landmark from a story he'd never read.
Blackstone Crossing? Sounds like something straight out of a cheap adventure tale. Why have I never heard of it? His brow furrowed slightly as he glanced back at the thinning forest behind him. Probably because no one in their right mind comes out this far.
He huffed, adjusting the pack on his shoulders. It wasn't like there was any point in standing around overthinking it. A road was a road, and as far as he could tell, it was the only option. Shrugging off his doubts, Kael stepped forward, letting the crunch of dirt beneath his boots drown out the questions lingering in his mind.
The landscape ahead stretched out in rolling hills, the occasional cluster of twisted trees dotting the horizon. The solitude pressed in on him, but rather than feeling oppressive, it was almost amusing.
So, let's recap, Kael. You're heading toward a place you've never heard of, on a path you can barely follow, to meet someone who might not even exist. Sounds foolproof. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. Really, it's no wonder Lysa trusted me with this. I'm obviously the perfect guy for the job.
The uneven terrain forced him to keep his eyes on the ground, his steps measured to avoid the loose stones that threatened to trip him. But even as he focused on walking, his thoughts wandered.
Lost? No, of course not. It's all part of the plan. The great Kael, hero of aimless wandering, boldly marches into the middle of nowhere. His smirk grew wider, though it was tinged with a faint edge of disbelief. Who needs maps or directions when you've got sheer dumb luck?
He paused briefly at a break in the path, glancing around as if expecting some sign to point the way. Of course, there was nothing—just the same barren stretch of road fading into the horizon.
Kael let out a long breath, leaning on his knees for a moment before straightening. "Alright, onward to Blackstone Something," he muttered aloud. "Or wherever this magical road leads."
The sound of his own voice felt strange after so much silence, but it kept him grounded as he pressed on. The distant hum of the wind filled the gaps, its rhythm steady and unchanging. The occasional bird call echoed faintly through the hills, breaking the monotony just enough to keep his thoughts from spiraling.
Maybe I should write a book when this is all over, he thought, his steps falling into an easy rhythm. 'Kael's Guide to Getting Hopelessly Lost.' It'll be a bestseller for sure.
He smirked again, letting the self-deprecating humor keep the unease at bay. Whatever waited at the end of the road—be it Blackstone Crossing or something else entirely—he'd deal with it when he got there.
For now, there was nothing to do but keep moving.
The path grew narrower and more uneven, winding through low hills that seemed to stretch endlessly toward the horizon. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows that made the jagged rocks and sparse trees look even more foreboding. Kael adjusted his pack and kept walking, his thoughts swinging between mild annoyance and quiet amusement.
Who needs a destination anyway? Just wander around until something interesting happens. Maybe I'll stumble into Blackstone Crossing by accident—or trip over it, knowing my luck.
He chuckled softly, the sound muffled by the rustling breeze. The solitude wasn't entirely unwelcome; it gave him time to sort through his jumbled thoughts, even if most of them circled back to the same nagging questions. Still, he couldn't deny that the emptiness of the road was starting to wear on him.
The faint outline of a structure appeared in the distance, rising from the barren landscape like an oasis of order in the chaos of wilderness. Kael quickened his pace, his steps crunching over loose stones as the outline became clearer. Blackstone Crossing, if the sign nailed crookedly to a wooden post was to be believed.
It wasn't much—just a small cluster of weathered buildings gathered around a crossroads where two dirt paths intersected. A few wagons were parked near one of the larger structures, and the faint sound of conversation drifted through the still air. Kael felt a flicker of relief; even a place this small was better than the endless expanse of hills.
As he approached, two men stepped out from the shadows of a building. They moved in unison, their motions unnervingly synchronized, and Kael felt his steps falter for just a moment. The two were identical in appearance—same height, same sharp features, same piercing eyes—but their symmetry was… off.
One had a scar running down the left side of his face, while the other's scar mirrored it on the right. Their clothing, too, was identical but inverted: where one wore dark fabric with silver trim, the other's outfit was silver with dark accents. Even their expressions seemed to be perfect opposites, one smiling faintly while the other's mouth was set in a grim line.
"Welcome to Blackstone Crossing," said the one with the scar on the left, his voice smooth but carrying an edge Kael couldn't quite place.
"Or what's left of it," added the other, his tone flatter, more somber.
Kael's eyes flicked between the two, his unease growing despite the calm demeanor they presented. What in the world…? He forced himself to keep his expression neutral, though his grip on his pack tightened slightly.
"You look like a traveler," the first man said, his smile widening just enough to seem unnatural. "Passing through, or are you here for something specific?"
Kael hesitated, his mind scrambling for an answer that wouldn't invite trouble. What do you even say to something like this? 'Hi, I'm here to solve the mystery of my existence and maybe figure out why people keep disappearing.' Sure, that'll go over great.
"Just passing through," Kael said finally, his tone light but careful. "Thought I'd stop and see what the fuss is about."
The second man tilted his head, his piercing gaze scrutinizing Kael in a way that made him feel exposed. "Interesting," he murmured. "Well, traveler, Blackstone Crossing doesn't see many visitors these days. You might find it quieter than you'd like."
"Or louder," the first one added with a faint chuckle. "Depends on where you look."
Kael's smirk returned, though it felt forced. "Sounds like my kind of place."
The two men exchanged a glance, their synchronization unnerving in its precision. "We'll see," they said in unison.
Kael nodded faintly, stepping past them and into the heart of the crossing. The weight of their stares lingered on his back, but he forced himself to focus on the road ahead. Whatever this place was, it clearly wasn't as simple as it seemed.
Kael's boots crunched against the dirt path as he walked, the horizon darkening into shades of deep blue and violet. Blackstone Crossing had faded into the distance behind him, its eerie welcome still lingering in his mind like a faint shadow. He adjusted the pack on his shoulders, letting out a soft sigh as the miles stretched on.
The road ahead was emptier than he'd expected, the occasional tree or jagged boulder breaking up the monotony. The wind picked up slightly, cool and carrying with it the faint scent of earth and grass. Kael tugged his cloak tighter around himself, his thoughts a restless jumble.
What was their deal? His mind kept circling back to the two men he'd encountered. Identical yet opposite, their synchronized movements and unnerving presence felt like something out of a bad dream. Does everyone around here come with a side of cryptic? Or is this just my luck?
He shook his head, smirking faintly despite his unease. At least the road itself was predictable, even if the people along the way weren't. His legs ached from the day's journey, the steady rhythm of walking taking its toll, but he pressed on until the last glimmer of sunlight dipped below the horizon.
Finally, he spotted a small clearing just off the road, sheltered by a cluster of trees. The grass was patchy but soft enough, and the ground looked relatively even. Kael dropped his pack with a relieved sigh, stretching his arms over his head before kneeling to set up his makeshift camp.
He unrolled his bedroll, positioning it near the base of a tree for some semblance of support. The faint rustle of leaves overhead filled the silence, a soothing backdrop to the growing darkness. Pulling out a small piece of dried bread from his pack, he tore into it absently, his gaze fixed on the empty road ahead.
This is fine. Just another night under the stars, nothing weird about it. He chuckled softly, the sound muffled by the stillness around him. Who needs an inn when you've got premium accommodations like this?
The humor was a thin veneer over the unease curling in his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching, though he chalked it up to paranoia. After all, he'd been walking for miles and hadn't seen a soul since leaving Blackstone Crossing.
The stars began to appear one by one, their faint light casting a soft glow over the clearing. Kael leaned back against the tree, his hands resting behind his head as he stared up at the sky. The familiar rhythm of crickets chirping filled the air, a sound that reminded him of quieter nights back in Alsta.
As much as he hated to admit it, the loneliness was starting to creep in. The silence stretched too long, the gaps in his thoughts too wide. He closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath as he tried to settle his mind.
Tomorrow would bring another day, another stretch of road to cover, and another layer of questions waiting to be answered. For now, all he could do was rest.