Chapter 44. The Lost City

  Silence hung in the air.

  All eyes were on Mirellis. She stood there, breathing heavily, her palms still trembling from the power she had just unleashed.

  — How… did you do that? — Stan asked, staring at her in astonishment.

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  — I… don’t know, — she whispered. — It just… happened.

  Leonel watched her intently but said nothing.

  They all understood one thing: if the monster had managed to break into this world, the rift between realms was growing more dangerous. If they didn’t hurry, the World of Light would fall.

  — We need to keep moving, — Ethan finally said, sheathing his weapon.

  They set off. Forests gave way to plains, and the paths became less and less traveled.

  After several days, they reached a village.

  It was a small place—just a few houses, an old inn, and a temple standing on a hill. There were no guards, no bustling merchants. It was as if time had stopped here.

  — Is this the lost city? — Mirellis asked, looking around.

  — No, — Leonel shook his head. — But it’s close.