I moved through the forest around the coordinates Ariel had given, covering ground quickly but not carelessly, my senses stretched as I searched for any sign of movement, any disruption that didn't belong.
Minutes passed, and with each one, a small, unwelcome thought began to creep in.
Had Ariel lied?
It wouldn't be the first time she'd acted on impulse just to stir things up, and right now, chasing empty air was the last thing I needed. My jaw tightened slightly as I pushed forward, scanning again, refusing to slow down just because doubt had started to settle in.
Then, a notification surfaced.
[A Chosen is near your location]
[A Chosen is near your location]
[A Chosen is near your location]
...
I stopped.
The messages hung there for a fraction of a second, but that was all it took. The source was obvious. [FINDER]. A passive skill shared among the Chosen, one that alerted us when another like us entered the same range.
And it had just triggered.
They were here.
