Alex walked slowly in the midst of the forest, his footsteps steady yet cautious as they pressed into the damp earth beneath him.
"Where are those trees?" he started to think, a faint crease forming between his brows as his gaze swept across the surroundings.
Before he could analyze further, his martial soul suddenly appeared by his side.
It manifested without sound, hovering beside him with a faint, almost ethereal presence. Alex could immediately sense its intention. There was no ambiguity. It wanted him to go somewhere.
He did not hesitate.
He followed that instinct and started moving accordingly, allowing the subtle pull to guide his direction. His pace quickened, though his movements remained controlled and deliberate.
The deeper he moved into the forest, the quieter everything became. Even the faint sounds of wind and distant creatures seemed to fade, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Ten minutes later, he appeared beside a water pond.
