The Path Revealed

The jungle stirred as the first light of dawn crept through the dense canopy, golden rays filtering through thick mist. The air smelled of morning dew, damp earth, and the last remnants of smoke from the fire.

The night had been long. Vigilant. Restless. But now, the world was waking.

Tlandar shifted, stretching his limbs before inhaling a familiar scent—coffee, home fries, and sizzling sausage.

Akashma sat near the fire, her cloak pulled slightly around her shoulders as she tended to a small pan over the heated stones.

"You woke up early," Tlandar noted as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Akashma didn't look up. "Discipline. The body wakes when it is needed."

Tlandar chuckled, adjusting his position near the fire. "Or when it smells food."

She handed him a plate—home fries, eggs, sausage, a drizzle of ketchup, and a tin cup of steaming black coffee.

"Eat," she said simply. "We leave soon."

Memories of a Rancher's Life

Tlandar took a slow bite, savoring the warmth of the meal. The simple flavors reminded him of home—of early mornings on the farm, of waking before the sun, of his father standing outside, waiting for him to start the day.

He exhaled, staring at the flickering flames. "This reminds me of my younger days."

Akashma looked at him, intrigued. "How so?"

He swirled the coffee in his cup before taking a sip. "I grew up in Verdantis Nexus, on the largest ranch in the region. My father, Zaruk, taught me everything about tending cattle, feeding livestock, and keeping predators away."

A small smirk crossed his face as he added, "And fixing things. Broken barns, busted tractors, snapped fences—you name it, I had to repair it."

Akashma studied him as he spoke, listening intently.

"Education came from traveling teachers sent from New Asemeri," he continued, leaning back slightly. "They moved from homestead to homestead, teaching us whatever they could before moving on. It was the only way we could study."

Akashma nodded. "That system is still common outside the city. Practical. Efficient."

Tlandar smiled faintly. "Yeah. But it was the farm work that shaped me."

He paused, looking at his hands, the callouses still faint from years of labor.

"Every day, I learned something about the land, the animals, and how everything relied on balance. If you neglected one thing, everything else suffered. If you didn't prepare, you failed. If you didn't protect, you lost what mattered most."

He took another sip of coffee before looking at Akashma.

"And I guess… that's not so different from what I'm doing now."

Akashma considered his words. "You believe your past prepared you for this?"

Tlandar chuckled softly. "I think I'm starting to see the connection. Whether it's cattle or people, someone has to protect what's important. And whether it's a broken fence or a broken world, someone has to fix it."

Akashma tilted her head slightly, as if weighing his words. Then, she simply said, "Good."

The Astashica Hologram Appears

The fire suddenly dimmed.

A low, resonating hum filled the cave, vibrating through the stone walls.

Tlandar and Akashma instinctively sat upright, their senses sharpening.

Then, she appeared.

A woman of pure light, flowing white hair cascading like a river of silk. The Astashica Hologram stood before them, serene yet commanding, her grey eyes reflecting something ancient and knowing.

"You seek the path," she said. "And so it shall be revealed."

Tlandar exhaled. "You again."

The hologram turned to him, her expression unreadable. "I come only when you are ready to listen."

Akashma remained quiet, but her body was completely still, watching the projection intently.

The air shimmered, and suddenly—

A vision formed before them.

The jungle moved and twisted, revealing a hidden path through the dense foliage. At its center, a clearing stood revealed—a transport ship, untouched and waiting.

"Follow this path," the hologram instructed. "Your journey must not falter now."

The vision faded, and the fire returned to normal.

Before vanishing, the hologram spoke one last time. "May your choices be wise."

Then, she was gone.

The cave returned to its natural silence, the jungle sounds filtering in once more.

Tlandar let out a slow breath. "She always leaves before I can ask questions."

Akashma stood, brushing off her cloak. "She has given us what we need. Now we move."

The Journey to the Ship

The path the hologram had revealed was clear in their minds.

Tlandar adjusted his satchel. "She said 'may your choices be wise.' What do you think she meant?"

Akashma glanced at him. "It means you have already begun making them."

Tlandar smirked. "So I can still mess it up?"

Akashma simply walked forward. "Yes."

Reaching the Transport Ship

The jungle parted, revealing a thin path through dense vegetation.

Tlandar pushed through the last wall of foliage—and there it was.

The Salgaran transport ship, sleek and untouched, hidden beneath the protective embrace of the jungle canopy.

Akashma stood beside him, arms crossed. "We made it."

Tlandar let out a small chuckle. "I should stop doubting you."

She smirked. "You should."

Inspecting the Ship & Final Conversation

They scanned the perimeter, ensuring the area was undisturbed before stepping inside.

The ship's interior was cool and silent, its systems humming softly in standby mode. Everything was intact.

Tlandar entered the cockpit, running his fingers over the controls.

Akashma settled into the co-pilot's seat, pressing keys to bring the navigation system online.

Tlandar exhaled, looking out at the jungle. "So, now we leave Val'katl."

Akashma nodded. "Yes. And everything you were before—stays behind."

Tlandar didn't hesitate this time. He looked at her and nodded.

"I'm ready."

Akashma watched him for a moment before responding.

"Then let's begin."

The engines hummed.

And the path ahead awaited.