Their boots crunched against the damp earth as they moved along the winding path, the morning light spilling pale gold across the open land.
The air was fresh and cold, carrying the faint scent of pine that still lingered from the mountains behind. It makes the mood light and Eccar even smiled while glancing at the sun and closing his eyes.
For a while, the walk was calm, almost too calm.
The forest's edge opened into stretches of meadow broken by scattered trees, and silence draped over the group save for the steady thump of the red giant's footsteps behind them. Even though they are already out from the mountain range where he lives, somehow he is still following them.
Then a sound split the air.
It was the sounds of wings. Dozens of them.
Those wings beating in rhythm overhead. Shadows passed across the ground.
The group lifted their eyes. From the clear sky above, a formation of dark shapes descended rapidly, their movements sharp and disciplined.
