Dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson as Alina and Kael prepared to leave the clearing. The remnants of last night's encounter lingered in the air—an unshakable sense that they were being watched, followed, hunted.
Kael had insisted on traveling lightly, taking only what was necessary. Alina, though reluctant, had agreed. There was no telling what dangers lay ahead, and every unnecessary burden could slow them down.
As they walked away from her makeshift camp, Alina cast one last glance at the telescope she had abandoned. It had been her companion for years, a symbol of her search for knowledge. Now, she was stepping into a different kind of discovery—one that couldn't be measured with lenses or calculations.
Kael led the way, moving through the trees with the ease of someone who had traveled dangerous roads before. He moved silently, scanning the surroundings as they walked.
Alina, on the other hand, struggled to match his pace. She wasn't unfit, but she was a scholar, not a warrior. "Do you always walk this fast?" she muttered under her breath.
Kael glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "Do you always talk this much?"
Alina scowled. "Only when I have something important to say."
Kael chuckled but didn't slow down.
The morning passed in tense silence. They avoided the main roads, sticking to hidden paths through the forest. Kael explained that whoever sent the bandits would be looking for them. If they were going to make it to the Ruins of Eldryn, they had to remain unseen.
It wasn't until midday that they finally paused to rest. Kael crouched by a small stream, refilling his water flask. Alina took the moment to study the parchment again.
She traced the constellation markings with her fingers, mind racing. "If this truly is a map, then there has to be a way to pinpoint our exact location."
Kael glanced up. "And?"
Alina frowned. "The positioning of the stars… It suggests the ruins aren't just a destination. They're part of something bigger. A pattern."
Kael leaned closer, his expression serious. "What kind of pattern?"
Alina hesitated. "I don't know yet. But if I can compare it to the current star positions tonight, I might be able to figure it out."
Kael nodded. "Then we keep moving."
Before Alina could respond, a rustling sound came from the trees. Both of them went still.
Kael's hand was on his sword in an instant.
Alina held her breath.
Then, out of the shadows, a figure stepped forward.
A man this time. Cloaked in dark robes, a silver emblem glinting on his chest—the same *Ouroboros* symbol from the parchment.
He smiled. "You have something that does not belong to you."
Alina's heart pounded.
Kael stepped in front of her, blade drawn. "You'll have to be more specific."
The man chuckled. "The map. The knowledge. The star." His eyes gleamed. "You were warned."
Alina's grip on the parchment tightened.
She had made her choice.
Now, there was no turning back.
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