The fire flickered one final time, then died with a fleeting flash of light.
But neither Vale nor Jade saw it—they were already beyond the ruins, their silhouettes swallowed by the dawn.
They paused at the edge of the clearing, taking in their new surroundings. The long night had finally come to an end. A pale sun crested the horizon, its golden rays piercing through tattered clouds, casting the world in soft hues of promise. It wasn't much, but it was hope—a fragile sliver of it—for the day ahead.
"So… what's the plan?" Vale asked, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but uncertainty clung to it. He wasn't sure what they were supposed to do next.
Jade gave him a side glance. "We both have a Quest to finish, don't we?" she said, then hesitated. Her tone shifted, a slight edge of curiosity entering her voice. "You didn't come here alone, did you?"
Vale shook his head slowly. "No. I came with three others… but I have no idea where they could be now."
