Elias took a deep breath, adjusting his bag on his shoulder as he prepared to leave Eldoria behind once and for all. Margo stood beside him, ready to follow wherever he led. As they turned to step through the towering gates, a loud voice suddenly cut through the air, calling out to Elias.


    "Elias Ashdown!! Wait up!"


    Elias turned, his brows furrowing as he recognized the familiar figure of Sarah Ironwood sprinting toward them. She was dressed in a mix of leather armor and casual garb, her metal armor pieces nging against each other as they dangled from her overstuffed bag. Her face was flushed from exertion, and she was slightly out of breath by the time she reached them.


    Elias sighed, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Sarah, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation.


    Sarah paused to catch her breath, bending over with her hands on her knees. "Trust me, I don''t want to be here," she huffed. "But my stubborn father insisted that I go with you. And besides," she added, straightening up and ring at him, "you still have my sword, and I''m not about to let you run off to gods know where with it."


    Elias rubbed the back of his neck, ncing at the de in his inventory, In all honesty he had forgotten that he still had her sword.


    "So, everyone knows I''m leaving now, huh?" Elias muttered, ncing back toward the city as if half expecting more familiar faces to emerge from the crowd.


    Sarah shrugged, then pulled a sealed piece of paper from her bag and handed it to him. "My father said you should have this."


    Elias took the note, breaking the seal and unfolding the paper. Lord Varric''s handwriting was barely legible, his scrawls uneven and cramped, but Elias managed to decipher the message:


    **Elias,


    I knew that Eldoria would not be enough to contain someone with your potential and destiny. I see something in you, something I''ve only seen in one other person—King ric, in his younger days. Take care of my daughter, for I believe she will learn much from you. She may have years on you, but you carry the wisdom of someone twice your age. And take care of yourself as well.


    Eldoria is in good hands, and I will see to it that it is restored to its former glory.


    Lord Varric Ironwood**


    Elias read through the letter, a frown forming on his face as he reached the end. The mention of King ric brought a sh of memories—of battles fought. It was ttering to bepared to someone like ric.


    With a sigh, Elias folded the letter and, without a second thought, set it alight with a flick of his fingers. The paper crumbled to ash, carried away by the faint breeze.


    "Your dad''s words, not mine," Elias said, as Sarah gave him a questioning look. "But fine, you cane with me."


    Sarah rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Oh, joy," she said sarcastically. "It''s not like I have a choice in the matter, right?"


    Margo snickered beside Elias, nudging him with her elbow. "Looks like you''re collecting quite the entourage," she said with a grin. "You''re bing a real celebrity, Elias."


    Elias groaned inwardly, hoping he wouldn''t have any more surprise additions to his party. Thest thing he needed was more people slowing him down or, worse,plicating things. If it had been Queen Seraphina waiting at the gates, he might not have minded as much, but there was no way he could bring the queen along on such a perilous journey.


    "Let''s just get moving," Elias said, ncing at the two women. "Stick close. From here on out, we''re in the wilderness, and it''s not going to be an easy road."


    Margo and Sarah nodded, falling into step behind him as they crossed the threshold of Eldoria''s gates. The familiar stone walls of the city faded into the background, reced by the sprawling wilderness of ris—and of towering trees, rugged mountains, and endless possibilities.


    Elias took the lead, his steps purposeful and steady. He had no clear destination in mind, just the vague sense that he needed to be stronger, to find the power and skills that would allow him to stand against the demon kings on his own terms. His battle with Acedia had been a harsh reminder of his limits, and he couldn''t afford to face another foe unprepared.


    As they walked, the weight of his decision settled more firmly on his shoulders. He hadpletely deviated from the expected path, from the scriptid out by fate and the game of [Arcane Days]. Everything was changing, shifting in ways that even the gods themselves wouldn''t anticipate.


    Elias knew that this was the beginning of something entirely new. He was no longer just a yer in a predetermined story; he was the author of his own fate, carving out a path that was uniquely his. And though the road ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger, he felt a surge of determination rise within him.


    He nced back at Margo and Sarah, their expressions a mix of resolve and curiosity. They were here by his side, willing to follow him into the unknown. It wasn''t the party he had envisioned, but it was the one he had. And for now, that was enough.


    "Keep your eyes open," Elias said as they ventured deeper into the forest. "This is just the beginning. We''ve got a lot of ground to cover, and who knows what''s waiting for us out there."


    Margo smirked, adjusting her grip on her weapon. "Bring it on," she said confidently. "I''m ready for whatever''s out there and you know it. It''s Ironwood here that you should be worried about "


    Sarah, meanwhile, nced around warily, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "I am very much capable of taking care of myself, priest" she muttered under her breath


    Elias chuckled, shaking his head. Despite the unexpectedpany and the uncertainty of their journey, he felt a flicker of excitement.


    [+10 000 000 FWP]