Morning light filtered into the cave, painting the rocky walls with soft amber tones. Lira stirred first, brushing the sleep from her eyes. Fluffy padded over, curling around her ankles with a small, content purr. Thalanir and Renkai were already awake, quietly tending to the small fire that had kept them warm through the night.
They packed their belongings with practiced care, checking supplies, potions, and Lira's space bag. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth from the surrounding slopes. The path ahead was rugged, winding through rocky terrain that would test both their endurance and their patience.
As they stepped out of the cave, the mountains loomed in the distance, massive and imposing, their peaks shrouded in mist. It would take days—no, perhaps a week or more—to reach even the foothills. The companions moved steadily, alert to any movement in the underbrush, keeping Lira safely between them as they navigated the uneven path.
