Chapter Twenty-Four

As the morning light filtered through the trees, I awoke from the clutches of my nightmare, feeling a surge of triumph like never before. A smile crept across my face, a rare occurrence after battling my nightmares for so long.

Yawning and stretching, I readied myself for the day ahead. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow over the camp. The chill in the air hinted at the lingering winter, but the promise of spring was in the air, bringing with it the hope of warmer days ahead.

Peering out of my tent, I caught sight of Calix, peacefully asleep with his sword by his side. He must have stayed up late, keeping watch to ensure my safety. I wondered if Aiden had returned from his walk, and how long Calix had been guarding me.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I thought I saw a figure standing in the distance. Straining my eyes to focus, I found nothing there. Yet, a sense of unease lingered, casting a shadow over the peaceful morning.