They kept walking, following the road as it gently curved across the open land. The ground stayed smooth, and the sky stayed clear. Time passed in a calm, steady way.
After a while, the road began to rise again, just a little. When they reached the top of the small slope, they stopped for a moment. Ahead of them, the land became greener. A few wooden fences appeared here and there, marking the edges of small farms.
Fate looked around. "People live out here too," they said softly.
"People live everywhere," the Dreamer replied. "Quiet places, loud places… life doesn't stop."
They walked down the slope. As they got closer to the small farms, they saw a person stacking hay near a barn. The person glanced up, gave a friendly wave, then went back to their work. Fate returned the wave, simple and easy.
"Moments like that," Fate said, "they make the world feel real."
"It is real," the Dreamer said. "It's just easier to see when you slow down."
