The forest road stretched endlessly, its soil packed hard beneath the travelers’ boots, its edges overrun with wild grasses and tangled roots. Above them, sunlight pierced the canopy in fleeting shafts, cutting the shade into ribbons of gold and shadow. Every so often the cry of a bird echoed overhead, or the scamper of some hidden creature disturbed the underbrush, but otherwise the world seemed quiet, patient, as though watching the pair that moved along its path.

Daniel was already restless. He kicked at every loose pebble he found, whistling tunelessly, his steps loud against the silence. Alexa, meanwhile, moved with purpose. She carried herself the way a soldier might: eyes scanning ahead, mind fixed on the destination rather than the journey. When she stopped abruptly beneath a crooked oak tree, Daniel nearly collided with her.

“What now?” he muttered, hands stuffed into his belt.

Alexa ignored him and slipped her pack from her shoulders. She tugged free a folded map, spreading it carefully against her knee while her other hand traced the faded lines.

“We should be here,” she said quietly, pressing her finger to a notch between two rivers. “See? This ridge runs east, and if we’ve been heading straight, we must be right around this bend.”

Daniel leaned closer, trying to see, but her hand covered most of the parchment. “Hey, let me see too!” he barked, jabbing at her finger with a bit too much force.

“Daniel!” Alexa hissed, jerking her hand back. A sting lingered on her knuckle. “The map isn’t going to run away. What’s wrong with you?”

Daniel smirked, unrepentant. “Just impatient.” He leaned in again, squinting at the crooked lines. Alexa bent closer as well, their shoulders brushing as they studied the page.

“The nearest city is Thermyra,” Alexa announced at last. She tapped the name scrawled in faded ink.

Daniel’s grin was immediate and mischievous. “Thermyra? Never been. I hear they’ve got the best food in the region. Meat cooked until it falls apart, bread fresh from stone ovens, and ale so strong it puts hair on your chest.”

Alexa groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “We’re not going there so you can get drunk, Daniel. We have more important things to focus on. Losing yourself to drink will only make it worse.”

He gave a theatrical sigh, rolling his eyes when she wasn’t looking. “You really know how to ruin a man’s fun.”

Still, he said nothing more, and Alexa allowed the silence to linger before rolling the map away. The decision made, they prepared to set off again.

There were two possible routes: one that wound through the dense forest — slower, but relatively safe — and one that crossed the mountains to the south. The ridges were sharp and treacherous, crawling with creatures that prowled after dusk, but they offered the shortest distance to Thermyra.

“We’ll take the woods,” Alexa said firmly, already stepping that way. “It’s slower, but it’s safer.”

Daniel laughed, a sharp bark of sound. “You’re such a coward. Afraid of a few monsters?” He began whistling a mockingly triumphant tune, clearly enjoying himself.

Alexa stopped and turned toward him, her eyes narrowing. “This isn’t a joke. Thermyra is dangerous. The Soldier of Fire rules there. Cross him, and you don’t come back. Ever.”

Daniel waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, come on. Do you really believe those old stories? Next thing you’ll tell me, he’s some giant lava monster who eats travelers alive.” He puffed out his chest, his grin wide. “We’re legendary heroes, remember? We can handle anything.”

But Alexa only shook her head. “Merchants have spoken of it. Thermyra is strange. Those who enter don’t return the same — if they return at all. It may be beautiful, but it is not safe.”

Daniel snorted, feigning indifference. Yet Alexa noticed his legs trembling, the subtle shift in his weight as if he wanted to move but feared what lay ahead. The sight amused her, and she laughed quietly, the sound soft but cutting.

He scowled, gave her shoulder a light punch, and stormed off down the safer path. “Let’s just get going.”

The forest thickened around them as they walked, the canopy swallowing the sun in layers of green shadow. Their boots crushed leaves and twigs, the air filled with the earthy musk of damp soil. Birds flickered between branches, their calls sharp in the silence.

After some time, Daniel broke it with a question. “So what’s Thermyra like? From what you’ve heard?”

Alexa’s steps slowed. “A place no one dares to step foot in. Its people are said to be as ruthless as the Soldier of Fire himself.”

“All I’ve ever heard about is the food and wine,” Daniel muttered.

“Or is that all you chose to hear?” Alexa teased, her lips curling into the faintest of smiles.

Daniel shrugged, half embarrassed, half proud. “You’re probably right.”

For a while, they walked in silence again, the path winding deeper into the woods. Then Alexa spoke, her tone softer. “Meeting you was the last thing I expected after leaving Ghyl.”

Daniel tilted his head. “Why?”

“Why?” she echoed with incredulity. “Let me think. First, I wake up to find someone stealing my tent, my food, and my water. Then I find that same someone passed out after nearly frying himself on my shield.”

Daniel scratched at his chin sheepishly. “Ah.”

“And don’t get me started on how you never take me seriously.”

“W–wait,” Daniel stammered, raising his hands.

“No!” Alexa snapped. “We have to work together if we’re going to save the world, and here you are treating it like a game!”

“N–no, behind you,” Daniel whispered, his eyes darting past her shoulder.

Alexa froze, her stomach tightening. Slowly, she turned — and found only trees and foliage swaying in the breeze.

When she spun back, Daniel was already laughing, doubled over, his amusement ringing through the woods.

“You—” Alexa lunged at him, fury blazing in her eyes. Daniel yelped and bolted down the path, laughter spilling behind him as Alexa gave chase.

The chase between them stretched on longer than either expected. Daniel darted between trees, ducking under branches and vaulting over fallen logs with more energy than grace. Alexa, though less reckless, kept pace with ease, her strides deliberate, her eyes never leaving his back. His laughter echoed in the forest, carrying through the canopy like a wild animal’s call.

When she finally caught him, it was not with her hands but with his own clumsiness. He stumbled on a protruding root, arms flailing as he barely managed to keep his balance. Alexa skidded to a stop behind him, her breath sharp but steady, and crossed her arms.

“You’re insufferable,” she said flatly.

Daniel straightened, dusted off his trousers, and grinned. “But entertaining.”

Alexa rolled her eyes and walked ahead. “Only to yourself.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in relative quiet. The forest seemed to change around them as the sun sank lower, shadows lengthening, the air cooling. Birds quieted, replaced by the distant hoots of owls and the occasional crack of something moving unseen. The safe route through the woods was safer only in comparison to the mountains; dangers still lurked in the undergrowth, though nothing dared approach the two travelers yet.

Daniel’s whistling returned, softer this time, as though he were trying to ward off the silence. Alexa, however, seemed absorbed in thought, her gaze fixed ahead.

“You said the Soldier of Fire rules Thermyra,” Daniel said suddenly. “What exactly do you mean? A soldier ruling a city? Doesn’t sound like the usual story of kings and crowns.”

Alexa didn’t stop walking. “Not a soldier in the way you imagine. He is more… legend. Some say he was once a man, a commander who sold his soul for strength. Others claim he’s no man at all but a spirit of flame bound to the city itself. Whatever the truth, Thermyra lives under his shadow.”

Daniel smirked. “Sounds like a campfire tale.”

“Then why are you shaking?” she asked without turning.

“I’m not shaking,” he retorted, though his voice cracked just enough to betray him.

Alexa let out a soft laugh. “You’ll learn soon enough.”

The path wound downward, crossing a shallow stream whose water gleamed silver in the fading light. They paused to drink, cupping water in their hands. Daniel splashed some onto his face, groaning at the cold, while Alexa watched him with mild amusement.

“You’re like a child,” she said.

“Children are happier than most adults,” he shot back, shaking his wet hair like a dog. Droplets sprayed toward her.

Alexa flinched, glaring. “Stop that.”

He grinned and leaned against a boulder. “Admit it, you’d miss me if I weren’t around.”

Alexa paused, her expression unreadable. Then she shouldered her pack. “Don’t test me.”

The sun dipped behind the trees, and night descended swiftly. They lit a small fire by the side of the road, flames licking at dry twigs, smoke curling upward. Daniel sprawled beside it, arms folded behind his head, staring at the stars as they pierced the canopy. Alexa sat upright, her posture rigid, scanning the darkness as if expecting something to step out at any moment.

“You don’t relax, do you?” Daniel asked.

“Relaxation gets you killed,” she answered.

He chuckled. “Maybe. Or maybe it just keeps you from living.”

She glanced at him, but said nothing.

The night passed with the usual restlessness of travelers. Strange calls echoed in the distance, branches cracked, and unseen eyes glowed faintly at the edge of the firelight. But nothing attacked. When dawn finally broke, Alexa stamped out the ashes, and they resumed their journey.

By midday, the woods began to thin. The trees grew sparser, the underbrush tamer, as if shaped by human hands. The air carried new scents: smoke, bread baking, the faintest trace of grapes crushed into wine.

Daniel sniffed loudly. “Smells like civilization.”

Alexa quickened her pace. “We must be close.”

Another half hour and the road crested a hill. When they reached its top, the sight spread before them made even Daniel fall silent.

Thermyra.

The city nestled in a valley of rolling hills, each slope covered in olive groves and vineyards that shimmered green and silver beneath the sun. The buildings shone with honey-colored stone, their rooftops terracotta red, their streets narrow and winding like veins. From above, it looked peaceful, idyllic even, like a painting sprung to life.

Daniel exhaled a low whistle. “Beautiful.”

Alexa studied it with sharper eyes. “Deceptive.”

They descended, the road winding toward the city gates. Yet as they entered, unease set in. The streets were empty. Sunlight bathed the stones, heat radiating from their surfaces, but no voices filled the air. Shutters were closed, stalls abandoned, doors barred. The only sound was the echo of their own footsteps.

“This doesn’t feel right,” Alexa whispered.

“Maybe everyone’s at lunch,” Daniel offered half-heartedly, though his gaze darted nervously around.

They pressed on, and only when they reached the town square did life appear.

It was as though the entire city had gathered there. Music blared from drums and flutes, filling the air with rhythm. Children ran laughing between garlands of flowers. Stalls brimmed with food, trinkets, and wine, their awnings bright with festival colors. The air smelled of rosemary and fresh bread, the sweet tang of fruit and the sharp bite of alcohol.

Daniel’s eyes lit up. “Now this is more like it.”

At the square’s center stood not a fountain but a massive bonfire. Its stone base was carved with intricate patterns, ribbons tied along its edges fluttering in the breeze. Guards stood nearby, their stances rigid, their eyes sharp.

Alexa frowned. “Why guard a fire?”

Before Daniel could answer, a sudden ruffle at the back of their heads made them both start.

They whirled to find a man grinning at them — red-haired, goggles perched on his head, a crooked tie, a heavy coat draped oddly over his bare chest.

“Never seen you two before!” he exclaimed cheerfully. “You must be new here!”

Alexa and Daniel exchanged a glance, the silent message clear: Be careful. Don’t reveal too much.

Daniel cleared his throat. “Yes. I’m Daniel, and this is my companion, Alexa.”

The man arched an eyebrow, smirking. “Companion? Rather rude, don’t you think, standing right next to her and calling her that?”

Alexa bristled. “What are you insinuating?”

“Nothing at all,” he said innocently, though his grin remained. He swept into a bow. “The name’s Fiero. Welcome to Thermyra.”

Daniel and Alexa bowed back awkwardly, neither quite sure what to make of the man before them. Fiero’s grin was too wide, his cheer too unshakable, as though nothing in the world could touch him. Alexa’s instincts screamed caution, yet Daniel seemed half amused, half intrigued.

“You’ve come at the best time,” Fiero declared proudly, clapping his hands together. “Today is the festival of Lady Cantar, our glorious goddess of fire! A day of joy, reverence, and celebration.”

“Lady… who?” Daniel asked bluntly.

“Lady Cantar!” Fiero repeated, his voice lifting as though he were singing her name. “Our radiant goddess, the flame that guides us, the heart of Thermyra itself. Every year we honor her, and she blesses us in return.”

Daniel and Alexa exchanged a glance. His expression said this guy’s insane, while hers said don’t underestimate him.

“Well, we can’t have you wandering about lost and empty-handed!” Fiero cried suddenly. He clapped Daniel on the back so hard that the younger man staggered forward. “Come, friends! You must taste our delights!”

He dragged them toward a stall overflowing with sweets: candied figs, honey cakes, and pastries dusted in sugar. The air was thick with the scent of fried dough and warm spices.

But as the trio approached, the change in the townsfolk was immediate. Laughter dulled, chatter faded, and bodies shifted away. Men and women turned their faces aside, pulling children closer, as though proximity to Fiero — or perhaps his companions — brought misfortune.

Alexa’s eyes flicked across the crowd. They’re afraid.

“What’s wrong?” Fiero asked brightly, glancing back at them.

“Nothing,” Alexa said quickly, masking her unease.

The stall owner hurried to pack a generous bundle of pastries, his hands shaking slightly as he passed them across the counter. Fiero took them with a flourish, waving aside the matter of payment.

“You didn’t pay?” Daniel blurted.

Fiero winked. “Why would I? I’m a big shot here. Everyone knows me.”

Alexa narrowed her gaze. “Who exactly are you?”

“I told you. I’m Fiero.”

“Yes, but what does that mean?”

Fiero only smirked. “It means enough.”

Before Alexa could press further, a sudden weight collided with Fiero’s back. He stumbled forward as a young girl clung to him tightly, her hair glinting in the sunlight.

“Brother! You’re back!” she cried. Her voice was high and filled with relief. “I thought she sent you to take care of the—”