Caelen and the others continued walking under the muted gray sky. The trees around them grew denser, and the thick silence of the forest pressed against their skin like heavy mist. The air felt cooler now.
Caelen glanced at Lily, noticing the small satchel strapped to her back. "What are you carrying in your bag, Lily?" he asked casually.
She smiled, almost innocently. "Just some clothes."
Caelen narrowed his eyes, sensing something odd in her tone, but said nothing. "Clothes, huh…"
The group pressed on, the forest trail winding and narrow. After hours of walking, they finally reached a hill overlooking a sunken valley. By now, the sun should have been high and shining — but here, it was different.
A fog had crept over the land, growing denser with each step.
Lily suddenly slowed and said, "It seems we've reached Veymoor Hollow."
Caelen turned to her. "How do you know that?"
