Chapter40: Gateway to Bright Waters

*Permiton* The journey to Bright Waters is far from easy. Even ignoring the difficulty of the mountainous terrain, the Oceanean army lurks on every edge of my awareness, their patrols crisscrossing the region, and I know that at any given moment I could be captured and taken to my death. The path is treacherous, winding through rugged terrain and dense forest, and I keep myself shrouded in shadows, careful to stay hidden. I’ve taken every measure possible to avoid detection, slipping off the main path to blend with the undergrowth and navigating around the pockets where I can feel soldiers lingering like predators waiting to pounce. But I know I’m getting close. The pulse of magic grows stronger with each step, a faint resonance in the ground beneath me, guiding me toward Bright Waters. I feel it more acutely now, like a current running through my veins, thrumming with purpose and calling me forward. My Sight tells me I’m on the right path, that I’m close to the others, and that they,