They continued their journey toward the country of Aleborn. As they drew closer to its borders, the air grew hotter and drier with every step.
Ziva swallowed hard. "My throat feels heavy… and rough."
"Yeah," Ray said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Ever since we left the forest, every step just makes me crave water. Is there any nearby? I really need a drink."
Espion nodded. "There's a river ahead."
With renewed hope, they followed her. The path to the river was strangely quiet. No animals crossed their way, no insects buzzed in the air nothing. The silence continued.
Espion pointed ahead. "Look. We're near the river."
Ray rushed forward, excitement pushing away his exhaustion. Finally… water.
But when he reached the riverbank, his steps slowed.
"…What?"
Before him lay only a deep, winding trench in the earth the path where a mighty river once flowed. The ground was cracked and pale. Not a single drop of water remained.
The others caught up. Horus frowned. "Why did you stop?"
Ray didn't turn around. His voice came out hollow. "There's nothing… not even a drop."
Espion's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible… This river is the main water source for the entire country. How could it dry up completely in just a few days?"
Cato's expression darkened as he looked around at the lifeless land. "So that's why we didn't encounter anyone on the way here. This place has become unlivable. The animals… the people… they must have fled to places where water still exists."
Espion clenched her fists. "All the other rivers are connected to this one. They all get their water from here. If this river has dried up… most of Aleborn will be dry by now."
They later returned to one of the outer villages. The streets were empty, doors left half open, belongings abandoned as if the people had left in a hurry. They took shelter in one of the deserted houses.
Espion found some local clothing inside and handed them out. "Wear these. It'll help us enter the main city without drawing too much attention."
Horus examined his damaged sword, the blade chipped and worn. "Do you know where I can find a blacksmith? In this condition, my sword won't last through a long fight."
"There used to be at least one blacksmith in every village," Espion said quietly. "But seeing what has happened to my country… I'm not sure anymore. Maybe only the city center still has one. But that's where the palace is located. It's far from here, and it must be heavily guarded."
Horus nodded. "Then we leave at night. Before dawn, we enter the inner parts of Aleborn."
Cato stretched his shoulders. "Everyone rest. I'll scout the surroundings. I'll be back before sunset."
Aleborn was not just in danger. It was already collapsing.
As Cato investigated the surrounding area, he found nothing but abandoned, broken houses. Doors hung loose from their hinges, windows shattered, and dust gathered thick on the streets. It felt less like a village—and more like a memory of one.
He pushed farther in, visiting a few smaller settlements along the way, but the sight never changed.
Empty. Silent. Lifeless.
By the time he returned, the sun was already leaning toward the horizon.
Ray walked up to him quickly. "Did you find anything to drink?"
Cato shook his head. "All the nearby places and villages are in the same condition as this one. I didn't go too far inside the country, but this entire region looks completely abandoned."
Horus's expression hardened. "If the situation is as bad as you say… then things are far worse than we thought."
A quiet tension spread through the room.
Almost at once, all of them turned to look at Espion, who stood silently in the corner, her head lowered, hands trembling at her sides.
Ziva stepped toward her gently and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry," she said softly. "We'll help you take your country back."
Espion didn't lift her head. She remained still.
They waited until darkness completely swallowed the land.
Only when the last trace of sunlight disappeared did they move.
The ruined village behind them faded into shadow as they headed toward the inner parts of Aleborn. The road ahead was cracked and pale beneath the moonlight, stretching like a scar through the dying country. Their footsteps were quiet, careful—every sound felt too loud in the stillness. No torches burned in the distance. No voices carried through the wind. Even the night insects were silent.
"This isn't normal," Ray whispered. "Even abandoned places have some sound."
Cato nodded, eyes scanning the rooftops and broken towers. "We're being watched. I can feel it."
Espion walked between Ziva and Horus, her cloak pulled tight.
Horus suddenly stopped.
The others nearly walked into him.
He slowly crouched and touched the ground.
Marks.
Fresh ones.
Boot prints. Deep. Heavy. Dozens of them.