The wagon rolled steadily along the winding dirt road, its wooden wheels humming a soft, rhythmic creak that blended with the warm afternoon breeze. Sunlight spilled across the open fields in sweeping golden waves, brushing over tall grass that swayed like a living sea. The air smelled of pine, distant river water, and the faint sweetness of wildflowers crushed beneath the horses' hooves.
Inside the wagon, the Sages settled into a comfortable quiet — the kind that only came after a long night of revelations and a morning of gentle peace. The wooden frame swayed gently with each turn, the shadows of passing trees flickering across their faces.
Eiden sat near the back, cloak fluttering lightly with each bump in the road. His gaze drifted across the horizon, but his mind was elsewhere — replaying Aurelienne's words, the truth of the Ironcrest Clan, the warning about Yajin, and the weight of what still lay ahead. His fingers tapped lightly against his knee, a rare sign of unease.
Iris held the reins at the front, guiding the horses with practiced ease. The sunlight caught the edges of her red cloak, making it glow like embers. Selyndra sat beside her, legs crossed, golden hair catching the sunlight like strands of fire, her expression calm but attentive. Seraphaine sat on Iris's other side, posture straight, eyes scanning the road with quiet vigilance.
Morvath lounged in the back, arms behind his head, boots propped up, the breeze ruffling his dark hair. Dravien sat beside him, tail flicking lazily as he watched the scenery blur past, his ears twitching at every distant sound. Vaelus leaned against the side rail, arms crossed, deep in thought, the wind tugging gently at his robe.
The wagon hit a small bump, jolting them slightly.
Eiden finally spoke.
"I should tell you all something," he said, voice steady but carrying a weight that made everyone look up.
Iris glanced back over her shoulder. "About the Ironcrest Clan?"
Eiden nodded.
He took a breath, letting the wind carry the tension from his shoulders.
"Aurelienne told me everything. The Ironcrest Clan wasn't wiped out. They escaped before Uzak'me attacked. Verio received a warning from the gods, and he led them through an underground passage. They scattered, survived, and rebuilt. They're alive — all of them."
The wagon fell silent.
Then Iris's face lit up, bright and relieved.
"Ohhhh, well, I'm glad they are safe," she said, her voice warm and genuine.
Selyndra smiled softly.
Vaelus exhaled in quiet relief.
Dravien's ears perked.
Morvath nodded once, satisfied.
But Eiden's expression didn't ease.
He looked down at his hands, then back at the group.
"And… another thing," he said.
The wind shifted, brushing through the wagon like a whisper of warning, rustling the grass on either side of the road.
"We need to change our plans."
Everyone straightened, the air tightening around them.
Eiden continued, voice low but unwavering.
"We can't go straight to the dungeon anymore. Not yet. Before anything else… we need to deal with the Angel King."
Even the horses seemed to slow, as if sensing the shift in the air.
Morvath sat up fully. "You're serious."
"I am," Eiden said. "If we ignore him, he'll likely start another war."
Selyndra's eyes sharpened. "So we confront him first."
Eiden nodded.
"Yes. We go after the Angel King. Now."
The wagon continued down the sunlit road, but the atmosphere had changed — no longer peaceful, no longer leisurely.
The journey had shifted.
The Sages were no longer simply traveling.
They were marching toward war.
Dravien groaned aloud, "Aughhh, now we have to fight the Angel King?! C'mon man, he's as strong as the Demon King!"
"I'm aware, which is why I'll be handling the Angel King. The Angel King likely has a few powerful captains or something; if not, you all should have fun fighting his angels," Eiden said.
"Alright, alright... But where does his castle remain again? I honestly forgot," Dravien said, scratching behind his ear.
"He lies in the Unclaimed Lands, the same land where known people like the Demon King and Bloody Zeth remain. It is known to be 'unclaimed' since no king has ruled it, but that's because of the creatures that lie there," Selyndra said, her voice steady.
Dravien turned his head toward her. "Ah... I see... Will he interfere?"
"Both of them don't get along well, so no," Morvath said.
"Ohhh," Dravien said, ears lowering slightly.
"Alright then, we'll be changing direction," Iris said as she tightened her grip on the reins.
She guided the horses into a sharp left turn.
The main road fell away behind them, replaced by a long, narrow path stretching into a vast expanse of wilderness — a road that led to nothingness, to danger, to the Unclaimed Lands.