After three days and three nights riding through the endless wilds of Sondre Forest, the dense canopy finally broke, revealing the open sky. The scent of pine and bloodied earth faded, replaced by something... cleaner. Sharper.
From atop his stallion, Daemon's crimson eyes locked onto the skyline in the distance. Gleaming towers stood like sharpened blades against the horizon — a city wrapped in gold and light.
Aurelian.
He tugged the reins gently, slowing Caldrin to a stop at the ridge. Beside him, Nyxtriel materialized in human form — her pale hair catching the morning sun, crimson eyes flicking toward the distant city.
"Father," she said softly, "is this the next place? The one you're searching for?"
Daemon's gaze didn't waver. His lips curled into a sharp, humorless smile.
"Yeah. The fragment's here. I can feel it."
