The plateau stretched before them with only weathered stone and sparse vegetation in the area. Wind swept across the flatland with nothing to break its passage, carrying scents of distant places.
"Nice," Ethan said, shouldering his pack with renewed energy. "No fighting through trees and undergrowth."
They walked at a leisurely pace which for them was relatively quick. The midday sun beat down on them as it slowly made its way down, casting longer and longer shadows.
Lily turned around after they'd been walking for an hour, looking towards the southern horizon. "The mountain range is still in view, what do you think Sam, we anywhere near the safe zone?"
They turned as one, shading their eyes against the sun's glare. In the distance, the range they'd skirted around rose like jagged teeth against the sky.
"The Titan's Spine," Walter said. "We've come further than I thought."
Sam folded his worn map and tucked it away with obvious frustration. "This thing's useless now. This area wasn't included in it."
"We're heading north though," Walter said, using his cane to point towards their intended direction. "That much we can be certain of."
"The safe zone should be somewhere in this general direction," Victor agreed. "Even without precise navigation, we're bound to encounter a landmark or signs of civilisation eventually."
---
They continued north across the plateau, the vast expanse of weathered stone and sparse vegetation stretching endlessly before them.
The first day's travel was uneventful—open ground that made for easy walking but offered little in the way of variety or shelter from the constant wind and sun.
By evening, they found refuge in a shallow depression where a cluster of hardy bushes provided some protection from the elements.
"At least we can see anything coming from a distance," Ethan observed, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. "Nothing's sneaking up on us out here."
As they settled in for the night, Victor found himself staring at the darkening sky. Emily would love this view, he thought, then caught himself.
The divorce had been finalised months before the wish event, yet he still caught himself thinking about her from time to time.
At least she's alive, he reminded himself. That's more than many can say.
The second day brought rolling terrain that gradually became more pronounced as they moved further from the cliff they'd scaled.
The plateau was slowly giving way to proper hills, though the change was so gradual it was barely noticeable from hour to hour.
"My feet are getting tired of all this flat ground," Lily said during their midday rest. "I never thought I'd miss having to climb over fallen logs."
Walter chuckled, using his cane to test the firmness of the ground ahead. "Careful what you wish for."
Their second night was spent in the lee of a large boulder that provided minimal shelter. The wind had picked up during the day, carrying with it the scent of distant forests and rivers.
Sam lay awake for a while, listening to the wind whistle past their makeshift camp. Six months. Maria had been managing on her own for almost six months under Richard's rule. The thought made his jaw clench. We have to get there soon, I just hope it's not too late...
By the third day, the land had begun to change noticeably. The plateau was breaking up into rolling hills dotted with clusters of trees—islands of green in an otherwise brown and gold landscape.
"There," Lily said suddenly, pointing toward a line of trees visible in the distance. "So many trees and other vegetation must mean there's water nearby."
They adjusted their course, heading toward the distant treeline with renewed purpose.
As they drew closer to the trees, the sound of running water became audible—a gentle murmur that promised rest and respite from the open landscape.
"Water," AJ called out. "Not a stagnant pond or marsh. This is definitely a flowing river."
The treeline resolved into individual trunks and branches as they approached. The vegetation was lusher here, fed by the nearby water source. Birds called from the canopy, and the air carried the fresh scent of moving water and life.
They pushed through the final stretch of scrubland and emerged at the river's edge.
The waterway was broader than they'd expected—perhaps ten metres across at its widest point, with a steady current flowing westward. The water ran clear over a bed of smooth stones, and fish darted in the shallows where sunlight penetrated the surface.
"This is substantial," Sam said, kneeling to test the water's temperature. "Not a seasonal stream or tributary. This is a major river system."
"Wait," Ethan said, snapping his fingers as a memory surfaced. "When we were at the safe zone, the settlement was built not far from a river."
Sam's eyes lit up with understanding. "Of course, this could be the same river, just further down stream."
"So if we follow it upstream," Victor said, working through the logic, "we might stumble across a certain safe zone."
They followed the riverbank eastward, the sound of flowing water providing a constant backdrop to their conversation.
The terrain along the river was more forgiving than the open plateau—softer ground, occasional shade from overhanging branches, and fresh water whenever they wanted it.
Ethan found his thoughts drifting to Eric as they walked. His best mate had always been right there with him, diving into problems.
But when they met at the safe zone he seemed more reserved, keeping a low profile and just trying to fit. It didn't match his memories of the friend he grew up with.
The first sign of wildlife came in the form of hoofprints in the mud near the water's edge. Large, cloven marks that belonged to something bigger than a deer.
"Megafauna," Sam said, kneeling to examine the tracks. "Probably some kind of elk or moose. The prints are fresh—maybe a day old."
AJ's form rippled slightly from Lily's shoulder. "Should we be concerned?"
Walter studied the tracks thoughtfully. "Herbivores, most likely. But we've already seen what triceratops are capable of, best not to try our luck."
They continued following the river, keeping a careful watch for any signs of the creature that had left the prints.
The riverbank provided clear sight lines in both directions, but the clusters of trees offered potential hiding spots for anything that might want to avoid being seen.
They encountered the creature itself near midday. A massive elk-like animal emerged from a grove of trees about fifty metres ahead, its antlers spanning nearly three metres from tip to tip. Its coat shimmered with an almost metallic sheen.
"That's a big Elk," Sam whispered. "They're generally peaceful unless threatened."
The creature lifted its head, massive nostrils flaring as it caught their scent. For a moment, it stood frozen, assessing the threat they might pose.
Then, apparently deciding they weren't worth the trouble, it turned and bounded away with surprising grace for something so large.
"Magnificent," Lily breathed, watching the creature disappear into the distance.
Their progress along the river was steady but not rushed. The flowing water and abundant wildlife created a sense of abundance they hadn't experienced since leaving the misty canyon weeks ago.
Fish broke the surface occasionally, birds called from the trees, and the occasional rustle in the undergrowth suggested smaller creatures going about their daily business.
On the afternoon of their second day following the river, they encountered other travellers.
A small group of four people appeared around a bend in the river, heading downstream in the opposite direction.
They moved with the careful wariness of experienced survivors, but their clothes were cleaner than expected, their equipment well-maintained.
"Afternoon," called the apparent leader, a middle-aged woman with greying hair tied back in a bun. "You folks heading upstream?"
"That's right," Walter replied, stepping forward as their informal spokesman. "Looking for the safe zone settlement. Are you coming from that direction?"
The woman nodded. "Left three days ago. Settlement's about a day and a half upstream from here, maybe two days if you're taking your time." Her eyes scanned their group appraisingly. "You're well-armed for merchants."
"We've had to be," Victor said simply. "The world's not exactly safe for casual travel."
One of the other travellers, a younger man, spoke up. "Richard's still in charge up there, if you're wondering. Place is... stable, organised. Depends on what you're looking for."
The way he said it carried undertones that suggested not everyone approved of Richard's methods.
"Any advice for newcomers?" Sam asked.
The woman considered this. "Follow the rules. Keep your head down. Don't make waves." She paused. "And if you're thinking of staying long-term, understand that Richard doesn't tolerate dissent."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries about river conditions and wildlife sightings before the groups parted ways.
The brief interaction left a weight in the air—confirmation that they were on the right path, but also warning about what they might find at their destination.
"Doesn't sound like much has changed," Lily said once the other group was out of earshot.
Victor's expression had darkened. "Richard's still playing dictator."
And Maria's still trapped under his thumb, AJ thought. The urge to quicken their pace was almost overwhelming, but he forced himself to maintain their steady rhythm. Arriving exhausted and unprepared wouldn't help anyone.
The second night along the river, they made camp in a natural clearing sheltered by a grove of willow-like trees. The sound of water over stones provided a soothing backdrop as they settled in for the evening.
The third day brought them into increasingly familiar territory. The landscape began to show subtle signs of human presence.
Not obvious structures or roads, but the kind of minor alterations that suggested people had passed this way regularly.
"Look at the trees," Lily pointed out during their afternoon break. "Some of them have been marked."
Indeed, several of the larger trees bore small notches cut into their bark—not natural damage, but deliberate markings that could serve as trail markers for those who knew how to read them.
"We're getting close," Walter said with certainty. "They're probably boundary markers."
Victor felt a familiar tension building in his shoulders. Richard. The man's name left a bitter taste just thinking about it.
Six months ago, Richard had been growing increasingly paranoid and controlling, using his position as the settlement's founder to justify more and more authoritarian measures.
If the other travellers were right, that trend had only continued. Maria deserves better, he thought. They all do.
Ethan was wrestling with his own mixture of emotions. Part of him looked forward to seeing Eric again, to know his best mate had survived this long.
But another part dreaded the conversation they'd need to have. Eric had always been content to follow rather than lead.
Although Richard's style of leadership wouldn't have appealed to the old him there's no guarantee he wouldn't have accepted or even joined it.
Just hope he hasn't drunk too much of Richard's particular brand of kool-aid, Ethan thought grimly.
As the afternoon wore on, the signs of human activity became more pronounced. A cleared path ran parallel to the river, worn smooth by regular foot traffic.
Stumps showed where trees had been felled with tools rather than natural causes. The air carried the faint scent of woodsmoke.
"There," Sam said, pointing ahead to where the river curved around a low hill. "Smoke."
They walked up a small hill as the sun was beginning to set, painting the landscape in shades of gold and orange. Below them, spread along both sides of the river, lay the settlement they'd been seeking.