The river curved away behind them, slow and steady.
Kael didn't look back.
He didn't need to.
The sound of water faded naturally as they climbed a gentle slope.
Lira walked beside him, the bond resting between them like calm air.
"It doesn't feel like we're leaving things anymore," she said.
Kael felt the meaning.
Because nothing is holding us.
They reached the top of the slope and saw wide land ahead.
No walls.
No borders.
Just distance.
Jon let out a quiet breath.
"It's strange not to have something pushing from behind."
Sera nodded.
"I keep waiting for it."
Kael slowed slightly—not to stop, just to shift pace.
Then stop waiting.
They walked in silence after that.
Not heavy silence.
Comfortable.
By midday, they passed through a narrow line of trees bent low by wind.
Sunlight broke through in moving patterns.
Kael didn't rush through it.
He adjusted his steps to avoid breaking new ground where old paths already existed.
Lira noticed.
"You still care how you move," she said.
Kael's intent was simple.
Because movement leaves marks.
They rested briefly on a flat patch of stone warmed by sun.
Kael sat first.
Lira joined him.
The others settled in their own rhythm.
No discussion.
No expectation.
The Seer looked across the land thoughtfully.
"You are no longer responding to the world," he said to Kael.
"You are simply part of it."
Kael didn't react to the statement.
He just stood when it felt right.
The others followed.
As they continued walking, Lira felt something clear.
No tension waited ahead.
No threat hid behind.
Just space to step into.
And for once—
Every step was taken because they chose it.
Not because something forced it.