Kaive tapped her gently. She opened her eyes slowly, disoriented for a moment. She had slept through most of the journey without realizing it. The question he had asked earlier returned at once.
She still didn't have an answer. Thinking about it only stirred confusion she wasn't ready to face. So she had chosen sleep instead, letting it pull her away from choices and consequences. She sat up slightly, brushing her fingers over her face, aware of Kaive's presence beside her.
"We're here," Dino said.
Olessia sat up at once and looked ahead. The gate stood before them, worn but familiar. Her breath caught as her eyes fixed on the words carved across it.
WELCOME TO QUNARA.
The carriage rolled into the village, and they stepped out moments later. Olessia looked around slowly, taking everything in. The gate, the path beyond it, even the layout felt familiar. It was exactly how her village gate had looked.
