The stone marker stood quietly in the center of the open ground.
It didn't glow.
It didn't move.
But it felt heavy.
Lira stopped a few steps away from it.
"Kael… I don't like this."
He felt her fear through the bond.
Not sharp.
Not panicked.
Deep.
I know, his intent replied. This is meant to scare us.
The Seer walked to the stone and placed his hand on it.
"This marker shows the point of influence," he said.
"Beyond this… the heir can act directly."
Lira swallowed.
"So if we cross it…"
"You accept that he knows exactly where you are," the Seer said.
"And that he will respond."
Kael stepped closer to the stone.
Lira felt his resolve harden.
She grabbed his hand.
"Kael… once we step past this… there's no hiding anymore."
He turned to her.
She felt his answer clearly
We stopped hiding the moment we chose people over safety.
Her chest tightened.
She nodded slowly.
"Then we don't stop now."
The Seer studied them for a long moment.
"You understand what this means?" he asked.
Lira spoke first.
"It means we'll be tested again.
Harder."
Kael added through intent
And it means others may get hurt because of us.
The Seer nodded.
"Yes. And you will be blamed."
Lira took a deep breath.
"If we turn back… more people will suffer anyway."
Silence followed.
The world seemed to wait.
Kael stepped forward.
His foot crossed the line beside the stone.
Nothing exploded.
Nothing moved.
But Lira felt it.
A sudden pull in the bond.
Like a gaze locking onto them.
She gasped softly.
"Kael… he felt that."
Kael nodded.
So did I.
The Seer's voice dropped.
"You are seen now."
The air shifted.
Far away—too far to see
Something responded.
Lira's heart raced.
"Is that him?"
The Seer shook his head.
"No. Not yet."
Kael frowned.
Then what was that?
The Seer answered carefully.
"The first response.
The heir does not rush."
Lira looked back at the road behind them.
It looked the same.
But it didn't feel like a way back anymore.
She turned forward again.
"Where do we go now?"
The Seer pointed toward the hills ahead.
"There is a city beyond those ridges.
Neutral ground.
For now."
Kael squeezed Lira's hand.
We move.
She nodded.
As they walked away from the stone, Lira felt something settle inside her.
Fear was still there.
But beneath it
Clarity.
They had crossed a line.
And the world would not pretend.