Chapter 41
Lisa’s POV_
The sun hadn’t even fully risen when we set out. The sky was still painted in soft pinks and oranges. The world was caught between night and day. A soft fog hung low over the land as we drove eastward, heading toward the unknown.
Rylan had brought along some of his warriors. They were strong and loyal men who followed his every command without hesitation. I sat beside him in the front seat of the SUV, my fingers clenched tightly around the straps of my bag. My heart was racing.
I stared out the window, watching as the trees became taller and denser. The air grew cooler. The forest
stretched on endlessly, and my stomach twisted in knots.
“Are you okay?” Rylan asked, breaking the silence.
I nodded but didn’t speak.
He glanced at me. “You’ve barely said a word since we left.”
I forced a smile. “Just… thinking.”
“About the Seer’s vision?”
I nodded again. “Yeah. It sounded like something from a nightmare. A mountain with a crown of ash? Rivers running red? Whispering trees?” I shivered.
“Well,” Rylan said with a small grin, “maybe the trees will only whisper compliments about how stubborn you are.”
I snorted despite myself. “Funny.”
He smiled more fully then. “Look, I know this is scary. But you’re not alone, Lisa. I’m here. And my men are here. We’ve got your back.”
I turned to look at him. His dark eyes were steady and filled with calm determination.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I mean it. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You would probably get yourself eaten by a shadow beast,” he teased.
I rolled my eyes. “Wow. That’s reassuring.”
We both laughed and the tension in my chest loosened just a little.
Sierra? I called softly in my mind.
I’m here, she replied immediately.
Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?
There was a pause.
I don’t know what’s waiting for us, Lisa. But something inside me is pulling toward it. That mark on our wrist, it woke something. And it won’t let go until we find the truth.
I nodded slightly and rested my hand over the spot where the Seer had placed the powder. The mark still pulsed faintly beneath my skin.
“Looks like we’re getting close,” Rylan said after a while.
I sat up straighter and looked out. The trees were changing. They were less vibrant green, more pale and gray. The soil looked darker, almost ashy. And ahead… the land began to rise. The first signs of mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks cutting into the morning sky.
The warriors exchanged glances.
“We’ll have to stop soon,” Rylan muttered. He narrowed his eyes at the rough terrain.
Sure enough, ten minutes later, the road ended in a wall of wild forest and rocky hills.
Rylan pulled the vehicle over and turned to his men. “We go on foot from here.”
They nodded and started unloading supplies. There were backpacks filled with food, water, weapons, and
even tents.
“You thought of everything,” I murmured, watching as they moved efficiently.
“I always do,” he said, handing me a smaller pack. “Did you think I would drag you into unknown territory
unprepared?”
“No,” I said with a smirk. “But it’s still impressive.”
Once everything was packed and ready, we began walking.
The forest swallowed us quickly. The trees were thick and tall. Their twisted branches were creating a canopy that dimmed the light. The air smelled damp and earthy. Moss clung to everything. The ground was uneven, full of roots and loose stones.
I tried to keep up, but I wasn’t used to this kind of terrain. My boots slipped more than once, and my legs
ached from climbing over rocks and fallen logs.
“You okay back there?” Rylan called over his shoulder.
“I’m not exactly a mountain goat!” I shouted back.
He laughed. “You’re doing fine. Just watch your step.”
Easy for him to say. He moved like he was part of the forest. He was strong and steady.
I tried to focus but the ground was treacherous. My foot landed on a wet stone and slipped. I gasped as I
started to fall forward.
But before I hit the ground, Rylan’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm, steadying me.
“Careful,” he said while pulling me upright.
I was breathing hard. “That rock attacked me.”
“Of course it did. Rocks are very aggressive,” he said with a grin.
I swatted his arm. “Don’t mock the clumsy girl.”
“I’d never,” he said innocently. “But maybe stick closer to me. Just in case another rock decides to get
feisty.”
I rolled my eyes but stayed near him.
Sierra?
That was close, she said.
Yeah. Thanks for the warning, by the way.
I was admiring the trees.
Of course you were.
We walked for what felt like hours. The sun rose higher, but the forest remained shadowed. The further we went, the stranger it felt. The trees looked older. Their bark was dark and cracked. Some of them had markings. There were strange symbols etched into their trunks.
I didn’t ask what they meant.
We came to a clearing just as the light began to change again.
The sun was behind us now, but I could see it through the trees. It was dimming and fading, like it was
hiding.
Rylan stopped suddenly.
“What is it?” I asked.
He didn’t answer right away. He pointed.
Ahead of us, the land sloped sharply upward. A massive mountain range stretched across the horizon. The peaks were jagged and dark and the tops…
They were coated in ash.
Not snow.
Ash.
A cold wind blew down from them, carrying the scent of something ancient.
I stared, my heart pounding.
“That’s it,” I whispered. “The mountain that wears a crown of ash. The Seer’s vision.”
Rylan was quiet beside me. His jaw was tense.
“We found the first clue,” he said finally.
I nodded slowly. I was unable to tear my eyes away.
The sun was low now, hiding behind the cursed peaks.
Just like she said.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Sierra…
I feel it, she whispered. We’re close. But I can feel something watching us, Lisa. Be careful.
I swallowed hard.
Tomorrow, we would go further.
But tonight…
We would rest.
