Findings

The air hung thick with unspoken tension, a stark contrast to the usual boisterous chatter of the group. Lyraea's typically animated demeanor had been replaced by a serious intensity, her questioning gaze drawing the others into a hushed introspection. The shift in her attitude, prompted by her enigmatic question, had cast a profound shadow over the gathering.

"All I ever dreamed about was what lay beyond the veil," Kairos began, his voice resonating with a newfound gravity, "but now I crave to uncover every mystery that shrouds this world and the secrets that that bastard King Owen hides." His declaration, the first response to Lyraea's enigmatic query, was met with a collective intake of breath. Lysander, though eager to correct a perceived imprecision in Kairos's phrasing, held back. This wasn't the time for pedantic precision. The weight of the moment demanded more than mere words.

"I simply want to protect those closest to me," Lysander's voice was soft, almost a whisper. "To achieve this, the veil must be destroyed." Her words, heartfelt and deeply personal, echoed the unspoken anxieties that gnawed at all of them.

Zephyrus, spoke with a quiet practicality. "I just want to be with my siblings. It's not a grand wish, but it's what I desire." His simple sentiment spoke volumes, a stark reminder of the bonds that held them together and the longing that drove their individual ambitions.

The others turned towards Illumi, the youngest member of their group, anticipating a similarly earnest and personal response. But Illumi, to their surprise, offered a more expansive vision. "It is my dream to traverse the world beyond the veil. I want to witness different cultures, meet new people, and experience all that life has to offer."

Kairos, initially taken aback by the straightforwardness of Illumi's response, found himself surprisingly relieved. He'd expected a more elaborate rationale for Illumi's decision to accompany them, something more tailored to the overarching themes of their quest. This was... acceptable.

"Every decision carries its own weight," Lyraea's voice, though still tinged with a hint of her usual playful energy, held a serious undertone. "Each decision has consequences, some lighter than others. The choice we are about to make will irrevocably alter the course of our lives. And if that which you choose isn't strong enough, it will cost you more than you can imagine." Her statement, imbued with a subtle divination, left a palpable sense of foreboding in the air.

Their decision to remain in the Forbidden Zone for a period of planning was not met with enthusiasm, particularly by Kairos. The forbidding atmosphere, the ever-present threat, and the inherent uncertainties associated with this desolate region weighed heavily on his heart. The night was spent in the eerie silence of the forest canopy, each member taking turns maintaining vigilance. Lysander and Illumi were charged with gathering provisions from outside the zone, a crucial necessity for their survival. The strange fruits of the Forbidden Zone posed a significant risk and had to be treated with a healthy degree of suspicion. Zephyrus and Lyraea, meanwhile, devoted their time to refining their strategic plans, while Kairos continued to explore the surrounding environment.

"I sense the presence of monsters, but we haven't encountered any," Kairos mused to himself as he delved deeper into a cave not far from their makeshift camp. "Why is that?"

The cave's interior was a grim tableau of bone fragments and crumbling runic languages written all over. While unable to decipher the written messages etched into the stone, Kairos's attention was immediately drawn to the central image—a series of eight figures, rendered in various hues of paint. The fading colours and ravages of time had obscured many details, but the sheer multiplicity of the figures was striking. A further, more detailed painting depicted a city, a cityscape unlike any known within the veil.

"Interesting," Kairos murmured to himself. "Who would have thought that the Forbidden Zone held such captivating secrets?" He attempted to play down his discoveries, but a knot of uncertainty tightened in his stomach.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape, Kairos made his way back to the camp, anxious to avoid the encroaching darkness. The silent, brooding atmosphere of the Forbidden Zone, especially at night, held a potent threat. He wasn't willing to risk venturing out alone in the darkness, fearing the unknown dangers that lurked in the shadows.

Upon returning, he encountered Lyraea, once again enveloped in her playful, talkative persona, though there was a touch of seriousness in her tone. She revealed that she and Zephyrus had made a significant discovery—information they considered vital enough to share with the others.

"Here's what we've found," Lyraea began, meticulously laying out the details of their revelation. "The Book of Amon, also known as the Book of Skywalker, records seemingly random events. However, some time ago, a previously blank page revealed a detailed map, showcasing the locations of the various crowns."

Kairos, however, held his reservations. "Isn't that a bit too convenient?"

Lysander echoed Kairos's apprehension. "What are the odds of a random book possessing precisely the information we need?"

Lyraea offered a more pragmatic viewpoint. "We know it's too good to be true, and there's likely a catch. But we have no alternative, no other clue about the crowns. From the book, we discovered that there's a portal on the closest edge of the veil—a continent that could connect us to the outside world. Zey further confirmed this by personally investigating the details."

"True," Zephyrus substantiated, elaborating on his findings. "But it's guarded by a formidable stone golem. It hasn't noticed us yet, but it is undoubtedly the gatekeeper."

"So, what do we do?" Illumi inquired, unsure of the next course of action.

Lyraea, with a stick, drew a replica of the map on the ground, a larger, more detailed version beside the smaller one from the book.

"Not exactly a master artist, are you?" Kairos quipped, teasingly mimicking Lyraea's rudimentary drawing skills.

Lyraea retorted with a playful scoff, declining to engage.

"Now's not the time for mockery," Lysander intervened, her tone firm but gentle. "Kairos, please."

"We could defeat the golem and journey to the larger continent, or..." Lyraea's expression shifted, hardening into a serious and pensive one.

"Or what?" Illumi asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Or, we could take a ship to the nearest island," Lyraea concluded, her voice reflecting a deep calculation. "It would only take a day, but there's a significant risk involved—a ninety percent chance of death, to be precise."

Kairos's skepticism was palpable. "Why would we choose a path that almost guarantees our demise? What makes you think we will actually die?"

"It's just a hunch," Lyraea answered, though her voice held a significant conviction. "I feel like there is something vitally important waiting for us there. Furthermore, both the island and the larger continent have a crown mark, reinforcing the significance of our choice."

Lysander, though inwardly troubled by the risky nature of Lyraea's proposal, intervened thoughtfully. "Let's take some time to consider our options. We'll all give it some thought, weigh the pros and cons of each potential path and then decide what to do next. Let's get some rest now; I'll take the first watch. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

For reasons he couldn't articulate, Kairos felt a strong pull towards the island, though he was acutely aware of the inherent risks. He didn't want to think about the potential consequences.

' This can't be good '

He shut his eyes, wishing away the weight on his mind and drifted into a troubled sleep.