The road stretched endlessly before them, a thin strip of dirt cutting across plains of tall grass.
The rented car rattled beneath them, carrying Kana, Lysera, and Irielle toward the elf village. They had set out early that morning, the air cool and fresh, the rising sun casting gold across the horizon.
For a while, the journey felt almost peaceful. Kana leaned her head against the window, letting the hum of the engine soothe her nerves, while Lysera busied herself in the back with sharpening a blade she insisted they might need.
Irielle sat at the wheel, her expression unreadable, eyes fixed forward.
It wasn't until the third hour of travel that the first problem arose. A grinding noise tore through the quiet, sharp enough to jolt Kana upright.
"What was that?"
She asked quickly, glancing at Irielle.
Irielle's brows furrowed.
"Something's wrong with the engine."
