The road changed.
For two days, the silver-leaf forest slowly faded behind them. The trees became shorter, more twisted. Roots rose from the earth like claws gripping the ground. The air grew drier. Wind swept between the rocks, carrying dust with it.
In the distance, the canyon of Nímbar opened like a wound in the land.
Darian walked in silence.
Vael slept in the wagon, curled among the cloaks. Varkas held the reins. Kára checked her runes. Elias studied the map.
But Darian wasn't really there.
He was back in the forest.
Back with the elf.
He wasn't an enemy, Lumine said softly, as always.
And what does that matter? Nox sounded impatient.
His movements were precise. Restrained. If he wanted to kill you…
He would've done it in the first few seconds.
He stayed to talk.
To provoke you.
And it worked.
Darian clenched his fists.
He hated when Nox was right.
Kára approached while walking beside him.
—What are you thinking about?
—The elf. He never truly attacked me. He only defended himself. I don't understand what he wanted. If he wanted to talk, why not say it from the start? Why chase me? Why drag me into that forest? It's strange.
—Maybe he wanted to test you.
—Test what?
—I don't know that part.
Darian fell silent again.
Kára nudged his shoulder lightly before returning to the wagon.
---
Nímbar appeared at sunset.
Small.
A fortified town perched at the edge of the canyon. Houses carved directly into the rock. Tree roots stretched across the streets like bridges.
And beyond everything—
The Great Tree.
Immense.
Golden.
Towering against the horizon.
—There it is —Varkas said, nodding toward the distance. His yellow eyes reflected the tree's glow.
Darian followed his gaze.
It was the first time he had seen it this close.
The branches looked like liquid fire.
—How much farther from here? —Kára asked.
—Two days —Elias answered. —Assuming nothing goes wrong.
—Something always goes wrong —Varkas muttered.
—Which is why we stay careful.
The streets of Nímbar were narrow. The few elves they passed glanced at them without stopping.
It wasn't like Loralind.
Loralind had been polished. Perfect.
Nímbar felt darker. Wilder.
Vines climbed the walls. Massive roots pushed through the stone streets. Nature didn't ask permission here.
They found a small market near the outer wall. Kára bought essence for her runes. Elias secured bread and dried fruit.
Varkas stayed beside the wagon.
Darian kept watch.
Vael peeked his head out beneath the cloak.
Nearby, a group of elderly elves carving wood beside a fountain looked up at once.
One dropped his tool.
Another pressed a hand against his chest.
They muttered something in elvish.
Vael tilted his head and let out a small clicking sound.
The elders stared without moving, as if they had just seen a ghost.
—You always attract attention —Darian murmured.
Vael blinked at him with wide golden eyes, then tucked himself back beneath the cloak.
---
The inn stood beside the city wall.
From the dining hall window, the canyon stretched endlessly below.
And beyond it—
The Great Tree.
Even from two days away, it glowed.
Immense.
Golden.
Its branches reached toward the heavens like the arms of a god.
—The capital —Elias said quietly. —The heart of Eldoria.
—And Aria —Darian added.
—Yes. And Aria.
Varkas rested both hands against the window frame. Kára stopped inspecting her runes and walked closer.
Vael lifted his head from Darian's lap and stared toward the distant tree.
—We leave at dawn tomorrow —Elias said. —Rest while you can. The day after tomorrow, we'll be there.
---
Darian sat beside the window long after the others grew quiet.
Vael curled in his lap.
The Great Tree still shone in the distance—eternal. Untouchable.
Two days, Lumine whispered.
Two days, Nox repeated. And then blood.
Or freedom.
Or both.
Darian said nothing.
He simply stared at the tree.
Aria was there.
Somewhere beneath those golden branches.
In two days, if everything went right, they would bring her back.
The thread is tight, Lumine said.
But it does not break, Nox finished.
Darian closed his eyes.
Two voices.
Two halves.
Yet sometimes… they said the same thing.