The roads were silent—eerily so. Since leaving Evergreen, not a single traveler had passed us. No wagons, no traders, not even a stray wanderer. The air hung heavy with tension, so thick it felt almost tangible. Even the wind seemed afraid to move. I could feel something off in the world around us. Uriel must have felt it too. Her crimson eyes darted across the quiet road, scanning the woods and the horizon. Her hand rested close to her blade, fingers twitching ever so slightly. Every now and then, she’d glance behind us, checking the path we’d come from. We hadn’t spoken since breaking camp that morning, but I didn’t need her to say a word to know what she was thinking. Something isn’t right. We stayed on edge as the day stretched on, every sound pulling at our nerves. When a bush rustled a few paces away, Uriel’s reaction was immediate. Her mana flared, wrapping her in a faint blue glow. A spell circle flickered briefly in her palm, ready to strike. But the danger never came. O

A scream tore through the night. Sharp, shrill, and filled with terror. Then came an explosion that shook the walls of the Far Away, followed by the sound of splintering wood and distant cries. My eyes flew open instantly. My body moved before my mind could catch up. I swung my legs off the bed and stood, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.A chill ran up my spine as I touched the cold floor. Maybe it was the winter air, or maybe it was the mana that now hung thick in the air — heavy, cold, and suffocating. I took a slow breath and exhaled, watching white mist form from my lips. Something was very wrong.“What the hell’s going on?” I muttered under my breath.Footsteps thundered past my door. Without thinking, I grabbed the handle and yanked it open. I saw Uriel and Isaiah running down the hallway, both of them heading downstairs toward the source of the commotion. I followed right after them, not even stopping to put on my boots. I jumped down two steps at a time, landing with