Morning came with a golden light that stretched across the plains, illuminating the village that had celebrated long into the night. The villagers were stirring, some nursing the aches of a joyful evening, others already bustling with renewed purpose. The forest behind them, once a shadowy menace, now stood as a beacon of renewal, its leaves vibrant with life.
Isabella stood at the edge of the village, her pack slung over her shoulder. She glanced back toward the modest homes and the people waving their goodbyes, their expressions a mix of gratitude and lingering sorrow. Caelum and Malrik stood nearby, their figures outlined by the rising sun.
"Ready?" Malrik asked, his voice low but steady.
"As I'll ever be," Isabella replied, adjusting the straps of her pack.
Caelum nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint smile. "They'll be alright. You gave them something to hold on to."
"And we'll need to hold on to that too," she said, her gaze shifting to the horizon. "The world's not done testing us."
The road ahead was well-worn but unfamiliar. It led them away from the safety of the village and into the vast expanse of the unknown. The land was alive with sounds of birdsong and rustling grass, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of the Hollow.
They walked in silence for some time, each lost in their own thoughts. Malrik was the first to speak.
"We need to decide our next move," he said, his tone pragmatic. "The Hollow's collapse will create a power vacuum. Others will come to fill it."
"Who do you think will come?" Isabella asked, glancing at him.
"Any number of forces," Malrik replied. "Dark mages, warlords, opportunists. The lure of power will draw them like moths to a flame."
"Then we can't let them," Caelum said firmly. "If we've learned anything, it's that waiting for the next threat to grow only makes it harder to fight."
Malrik nodded. "Agreed. But we need more information. The Hollow's influence extended farther than we realized. Its collapse will ripple outward, and we have to understand where those ripples lead."
Isabella considered his words. "Then we start by gathering what we can. Allies, knowledge, resources. We'll need all of it."
By midday, they reached a crossroads marked by an ancient stone pillar. Weathered and moss-covered, it bore faint carvings that hinted at its age. Malrik examined it closely, his fingers tracing the runes.
"This is a waypoint," he said. "Old magic. It was used by travelers long before our time."
"Does it still work?" Isabella asked.
"Unlikely," Malrik replied. "But it might tell us something."
He muttered an incantation, his hand glowing faintly as he pressed it against the pillar. The runes flickered to life, their light dim but steady. Malrik closed his eyes, his expression tightening.
"What is it?" Caelum asked, watching him intently.
"Trouble," Malrik said after a moment, his voice grim. "There's a convergence ahead, near the coast. Several forces are moving toward it."
"What kind of forces?" Isabella asked.
"Too many to name," Malrik replied, stepping back from the pillar. "But it's not a coincidence. Something is drawing them there."
"Then that's where we go," Isabella said decisively. "If we can find out what's happening, we might be able to stop it before it gets worse."
Caelum raised an eyebrow. "And if we can't?"
"Then we'll face it head-on," she said, her determination unwavering.
Malrik nodded. "The coast it is."
The journey to the coast was grueling. The terrain shifted from rolling plains to rocky hills, and the air grew cooler with each passing mile. By the time they reached the edge of the cliffs overlooking the sea, the sun was sinking low, casting the water in hues of crimson and gold.
Below them, a sprawling encampment stretched along the shoreline. Fires dotted the landscape, their smoke rising into the evening sky. Figures moved among the tents, their armor glinting in the fading light.
"That's an army," Caelum said, his voice low.
"And not just any army," Malrik added, his eyes narrowing. "Those banners... they belong to the Order of the Black Tide."
"The Black Tide?" Isabella asked, her stomach twisting at the name.
"A mercenary force," Malrik explained. "Loyal to whoever pays them the most. Ruthless, efficient, and utterly without mercy."
"What are they doing here?" Caelum wondered aloud.
"Whatever it is, it's not good," Malrik said. "We need to find out who's leading them and why."
Isabella studied the camp, her mind racing. "We can't just walk in. They'll see us coming a mile away."
"Then we'll have to be subtle," Malrik said. "A small scouting mission. We gather information and get out before they notice us."
"Sounds easy enough," Caelum said dryly. "What could possibly go wrong?"
Isabella managed a faint smile. "Plenty. But we don't have a choice."
As darkness fell, the trio descended the cliffs, their movements careful and deliberate. The sound of the waves masked their approach, and the flickering firelight provided enough shadows to conceal them.
They reached the edge of the camp undetected, crouching behind a cluster of rocks. Isabella peered over, her heart pounding as she took in the scene. Soldiers moved in organized patterns, their armor dark and menacing. At the center of the camp, a large tent stood, its entrance guarded by two heavily armed sentries.
"That's where we start," Malrik said, nodding toward the tent.
Isabella's grip tightened on her dagger. "Then let's move."
Together, they slipped into the shadows, their mission clear: uncover the Black Tide's purpose and stop whatever dark plans they had set in motion.