The streets of the small town felt both familiar and strangely foreign. Bella and Caden wandered through alleys and markets, questioning passersby, discreetly showing the drawing of the symbol Caden had seen in his dream, hoping someone would recognize the design linked to the mysterious monastery.
But nothing.
Not a single lead.
Neither the elders, nor the shopkeepers, not even the most talkative could provide any useful information.
"Still nothing..." Caden sighed, stuffing the crumpled paper back into his pocket.
"We'll find something eventually," Bella said with an encouraging smile. "Maybe we're looking in the wrong place. Or at the wrong time."
They decided to take a break, leaving the bustle of the town to head toward a small lake nestled on the outskirts. The place was peaceful, filled with the gentle lapping of water and the song of cicadas. Caden sat in the grass, arms wrapped around his knees, watching the sky's reflection on the surface of the lake.
Bella joined him, letting her fingers skim the lake's calm surface.
"You know," she said, "I've always dreamed of living a simple life. A house by the water, books, a garden… Nothing very heroic."
"Sounds perfect," he replied with a faint smile. "Me, I… I don't really know what I want. I don't have enough memories to imagine the future, you know?"
A gentle silence settled, broken only by the sounds of nature. Caden felt strangely calm, as if this peaceful moment was a precious pause in the chaos of their quest.
But suddenly, his gaze froze.
A shadow—brief, behind them. It vanished just as quickly.
"Caden?" Bella whispered, noticing the change in his demeanor. "Is something wrong?"
"No… nothing." He looked away. "It's getting late. We should head back."
When they returned, Aletha and Zetch were already there. Sitting in the living room, they greeted them with curiosity.
"Any news?" Zetch asked, sitting up.
"Nothing concrete," Bella replied with a shrug. "But a woman mentioned an old man… some hermit living in the forest, not far from here. She thinks he might be able to help us."
"Hmm, interesting," said Zetch. "On our end—nothing."
Aletha then stood up, visibly exhausted.
"I'm going to bed. I need some rest," she said simply before leaving the room, the others still seated.
Bella and Caden exchanged a look.
"Tomorrow, we'll go find that old man," she said.
Caden nodded, still troubled by the shadow he thought he saw.