Morning light filtered through the trees as the group approached the outskirts of a small village. The night's tension still clung to them, but the soft warmth of the rising sun made the road ahead feel less hostile.
Kaelor stretched his arms with a loud yawn.
"Well, good news.no one tried to kill us in our sleep," he said. "Bad news I'm starving."
Ethan snorted. "You're always starving."
Alex walked at the front, alert as ever, though his thoughts kept drifting back to one thing Rose. She walked a short distance behind him, calm and composed, as if the danger of the past days had never touched her. She hadn't vanished. She hadn't explained herself either.
And that unsettled him.
The village was quiet simple homes, stone paths, and the smell of early cooking drifting through the air. As they stepped further in, an older man emerged from a small house near the road, squinting at them… then stopping suddenly.
His eyes landed on Rose.
"…Well I'll be," he said with a short laugh. "If it isn't you."
The group froze.
Rose stopped walking.
She looked at the man for a moment then her expression softened just slightly.
"…It's been a while," she replied.
Alex turned sharply toward her. "You know him?"
The man waved a hand dismissively and smiled. "Know her? That's one way to put it." He stepped aside and gestured toward his home. "Come now, all of you. No need to stand out here like lost travelers. Make yourselves at home."
Kaelor leaned toward Liam and whispered, "She knows everyone, doesn't she?"
Rose gave him a brief look. "Only the loud ones."
Kaelor grinned. "I feel honored."
Inside, the house was modest but warm. Wooden beams, a low table, and the faint crackle of a fire made it feel safe real. They settled in, tension easing just a little.
The man poured water into cups and handed them out. His gaze lingered on Rose again, thoughtful but he said nothing.
Alex finally spoke. "So… you called us in. Why?"
The man leaned back, folding his arms. "Because people like you don't pass through here by accident." He glanced at Rose. "And because trouble has a habit of following her."
Rose didn't deny it.
Mya shifted beside Alex, then quietly said, "She helped us. She's… guiding us."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Rose met his gaze. "Only until they reach where they need to be."
A silence settled not uncomfortable, but heavy with things unsaid.
Outside, the village stirred to life. Somewhere far away, bells rang softly.
Alex tightened his grip on his cup. Whatever Rose's past was… it clearly wasn't finished.
And somehow, neither was theirs.