Chapter 107 - The Journey
They left before sunrise.
No announcement.
No fanfare.
Just a small group moving quietly through the forest as Silverwood faded behind them.
Silas walked at Athena's side.
Rowan and Kael ranged ahead, scouting.
Elara followed a short distance back with a small pack of supplies.
The forest was different this far from the fortress.
Older.
Quieter.
Athena felt it almost immediately.
A strange pull in her chest that grew stronger with every step they took.
She didn't know how she knew they were going the right way.
She just... did.
The air smelled familiar.
The shape of the hills felt known.
Like her body remembered the path even if her mind didn't.
Silas noticed the change in her before she spoke.
"You feel it," he said quietly.
Athena nodded.
"Yes."
She couldn't explain it.
But the closer they walked, the steadier she felt.
More certain.
More... herself.
They walked for hours.
Crossing streams.
Climbing ridges.
Passing through patches of forest where the trees grew wider and older than anything near Silverwood.
At one point, Rowan slowed his pace and glanced back at her.
"Wolves used to say this land felt different," he said. "Like it listened."
Athena swallowed.
"I think it still does."
By late afternoon, the trees began to thin.
The forest opened slowly into a wide valley ahead.
And there-
Stone.
Broken towers.
Collapsed walls.
Vines climbing over what used to be something magnificent.
Athena stopped walking.
Her breath caught.
She didn't recognize it with her eyes.
But her chest tightened like she had come home.
Silas watched her carefully.
"This is it," he said softly.
Athena nodded faintly.
"Yes."