The wagon rolled steadily along the winding dirt road, the rhythmic hum of wooden wheels blending with the warm afternoon breeze. Sunlight spilled across the open fields in sweeping golden waves, brushing over a living sea of swaying grass. The air was a heady mix of pine and the faint sweetness of wildflowers crushed beneath the horses' hooves.
Inside, the Sages settled into the heavy quiet that follows revelation. Shadows of passing trees flickered across their faces as the wooden frame swayed. Eiden sat near the back, his cloak fluttering lightly, his gaze fixed on the horizon while his mind replayed Aurelienne's truth. His fingers tapped a rare, rhythmic beat of unease against his knee.
At the front, Iris guided the horses with practiced ease, the sunlight turning her red cloak into glowing embers. Beside her, Selyndra watched the road with fire-bright hair and a calm expression, while Seraphaine remained poised and vigilant. In the back, Morvath lounged with his boots propped up, Dravien's ears twitching at every distant sound, and Vaelus leaned against the rail, lost in calculation.
A small bump jolted the wagon, breaking the spell. Eiden finally spoke, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention. "I should tell you all something."
Iris glanced back over her shoulder. "About the Ironcrest Clan?"
Eiden nodded, letting the wind carry the tension from his shoulders. "Aurelienne told me everything. The clan wasn't wiped out. Verio received a warning from the gods and led them through an underground passage before Uzak'me attacked. They survived. They rebuilt. They are all alive."
The wagon fell silent for a heartbeat before Iris's face lit up with genuine relief. "Oh, I'm so glad they're safe!" she cried. Selyndra smiled softly, and a collective wave of relief passed through the group.
But Eiden's expression did not ease. He looked down at his hands, then back at his companions as the wind shifted, whistling through the wagon like a whispered warning. "And another thing," he said, his voice low and unwavering. "We need to change our plans."
The air tightened. Even the horses seemed to slow, sensing the shift. "We can't go straight to the dungeon anymore," Eiden continued. "Before anything else, we need to deal with the Angel King. If we ignore him, he will start another war."
Morvath sat up fully, his eyes narrowing. "You're serious."
"I am," Eiden said. "We go after the Angel King. Now."
The atmosphere transformed instantly. The peaceful, leisurely journey was gone, replaced by the grim cadence of a march toward war. Dravien let out a long, theatrical groan. "Augh, the Angel King?! Man, he's as strong as the Demon King!"
"I'm aware," Eiden replied coolly. "Which is why I will handle the King himself. He likely has powerful captains, or you can have your fun with his angels."
"Alright, alright," Dravien muttered, scratching behind his ear. "But where is his castle again? I forgot."
"He lies in the Unclaimed Lands," Selyndra explained, her voice steady. "The same region where the Demon King and Bloody Zeth remain. It is 'unclaimed' because no king can rule it—mostly because of the creatures that live there."
"Will Zeth interfere?" Dravien asked, his ears lowering.
"They don't get along," Morvath noted. "So, no."
"Alright then," Iris said, her grip tightening on the reins. "Changing direction."
With a sharp flick, she guided the horses into a hard left turn. The main road fell away, replaced by a narrow, rugged path that stretched into a vast expanse of wilderness. It was a road that led into the heart of nothingness—straight toward the jagged shadows of the Unclaimed Lands.