The forest surrounding the base had changed.
It wasn't anything overt—no dark clouds or cracked trees—but Jin felt it in the stillness. The birds weren't singing. The breeze had stopped. Everything seemed to be holding its breath.
He walked with purpose, boots crunching soft leaves underfoot, until he reached the grove he knew Aesteros preferred. It was off to the east, a circular clearing where light managed to trickle through the canopy. The stone figure sat in the middle, throne of tangled roots curling around him, skin rough like obsidian cooled from fire.
A pulse of ember ran through his veins, just once.
As if acknowledging Jin's presence.
Jin didn't say anything at first. He stepped into the clearing, approached until he stood a few paces away, then exhaled.
"We need to talk."
Aesteros didn't move, but the glow in his chest brightened faintly. "Then speak."
