The Vault's entrance loomed behind them, its doors sealed once more.
Argolaith, Kaelred, and Malakar stood in silence for a moment, absorbing everything they had learned.
The Watchers. The Unwritten.
The reality that the world itself would try to erase Argolaith.
Kaelred was the first to speak. "So… what now?"
Argolaith turned his gaze to the horizon. "South."
Malakar arched a brow. "South?"
Argolaith nodded. "That's where the first of my Five Trees is."
The journey was far from over.
But the next step was finally clear.
As they started walking, Kaelred adjusted the straps on his pack. "Alright. Let's think this through."
"We've got miles to cover, and we're heading deeper into unknown territory."
"Do we have enough supplies?"
Argolaith smirked. "I've been hoarding ingredients for months. We won't starve."
Kaelred snorted. "That's comforting."
Malakar walked lazily behind them, his skeletal fingers interlocked behind his head. "And the threats?"
