*Briella*

I contacted my parents through the scrolls. Relief washed over me like a warm wave when their answer came quickly with confirmation they were on their way to Embervale.

"Come on," I said, turning to Kai and Kryzen with newfound determination. "Let's head to the meeting spot."

Kai nodded, his own eyes mirroring the relief in mine, while Kryzen simply stepped forward, ready to follow into whatever awaited us. His gray eyes held a stormy resolve that made ...