*Maerilee*

The sun beats down on us mercilessly as we trudge forward, the rocky terrain stretching endlessly in every direction. My legs ache, and every step feels heavier than the last, but I push on. We have to. There’s no room for weakness now, not with the stakes as high as they are.

Brook leads the way with Akin and River close behind, their sharp gazes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. I follow, and Permiton lingers at the rear, as silent and enigmatic as ever.

The landscape changes as we go. The jagged hills grow steeper, the vegetation sparser. By the time we reach the base of...