/-Maleek-/

The journey to the northern temple took four days of hard traveling through increasingly hostile territory.

The landscape shifted as we moved north—forests giving way to mountains, the temperature dropping steadily until our breath came in white clouds. Zara, despite her Luna's power, was weakening from the constant exertion. The extended use of magical energy combined with physical exhaustion was taking its toll.

I insisted on carrying her part of the way, shifting to wolf form ...