Then they reached the point where the rugged trail narrowed into a jagged corridor of stone and roots, forcing the vehicle to a halt. Beyond it, the mountain wilderness stretched untouched—too steep and unforgiving for wheels to conquer.
The engine died with a low rumble.
For a moment, only the cold mountain wind remained, whispering through the trees.
Logan climbed out first and spread the brittle map across a protruding slab of stone. The parchment crackled beneath his fingers, its edges frayed and stained with age as though it had survived centuries of wandering hands.
"Sis," he asked, squinting at the faded markings, "where did you even get this map? It looks ancient."
"Grandpa Persius gave it to me," Lara replied while tightening the straps of her pack. "He said it was too extraordinary to keep hidden away, so he handed it to me as a meeting gift."
Liam stepped closer, studying the map beside Logan. His brows furrowed with skepticism.
