The road stretched endlessly ahead, winding through the vast expanse of the lower realm like a silent guide leading toward something greater. At first, it had been nothing more than a narrow stone path, uneven and weathered by time, with only the occasional traveler passing by. However, as Aether continued forward, the path gradually widened, becoming smoother and more refined, as though shaped by countless footsteps over generations.
Villages began to appear along the roadside, their modest homes clustered together in quiet harmony. Smoke rose lazily from chimneys, and the distant sounds of daily life echoed faintly in the air. Farmers worked in their fields, merchants set up small stalls, and children ran freely without worry. Yet Aether did not slow his pace, nor did he spare more than a passing glance at these scenes.
To him, these places were merely transitional points—temporary fragments in a much larger journey.
