The forest was calm again, the silence settling over them like a blanket after the chaos of the Goleth fight. Sunlight filtered through the trees in shafts, illuminating the dust still lingering in the air. Ashar stretched out his sore arms, feeling the ache in his muscles as he leaned against a tree. Elara was seated nearby, carefully bandaging a small scrape on her forearm.

Callan had moved a little ahead, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings while giving them a moment to catch their breath. Benji, his usual carefree demeanor back in place, lounged against a rock with an amused look, his gaze shifting between Ashar and Elara as they recovered.

Ashar turned to him, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"So, Benji… you have two marks." His tone was probing, as if the question had been on his mind for a while. "How did you get the second one?"

Benji’s smirk faded, replaced by a momentary flash of something guarded. He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck as if suddenly uncomfortable.

"That’s… a story for another time," he replied, his voice dropping a notch.

"Let’s just say it didn’t come easy."

Ashar narrowed his eyes, intrigued by Benji’s evasiveness. But something in Benji’s expression warned him not to press further. Instead, he shifted the conversation.

"So… all this talk of monsters, cities, marks, and titles—there’s a lot more to this world than I thought. It’s like we’ve only scratched the surface."

Benji’s smirk returned, this time tinged with a hint of mischief.

"Oh, you have no idea. This world? It’s a lot bigger and more complicated than you could imagine. You’re just beginning to see what it really holds."

Elara, having finished bandaging her arm, joined in, her expression curious.

"So, where do we go from here? We can’t just wander the forests forever, fighting off random monsters. Shouldn’t we be looking for a place to train, maybe even find others like us?"

Callan turned back to the group, nodding thoughtfully.

"There’s a lot out there, but not all of it is friendly to people with marks. Cities, towns, each place has its own rules and, sometimes, its own prejudices. Some are open to marked individuals, seeing them as protectors or assets. Others… see them as a threat."

Elara’s face fell slightly.

"So it’s not as simple as just finding a town and settling in?"

Callan shook his head.

"No, it’s not. But there are places known for accepting people like us, even if they’re few and far between. Some cities have safe zones for mark-bearers, where we can rest, train, or even find allies. Others are controlled by powerful factions, some supportive of our kind, others hostile. Traveling through these places takes caution and a keen sense of who to trust."

Ashar glanced at Benji.

"You’ve traveled a lot, haven’t you? Seen these cities and safe havens?"

Benji grinned.

"More than a few, yeah. Every place has its own vibe. Some are lively, filled with traders, bounty hunters, and people willing to pay a lot for a skilled mark-bearer’s help. Others are… darker. Shadowy places where you’re more likely to find Seeker agents lurking or creatures waiting to pounce. That’s why it’s best to stick with people you know, especially when the stakes are high."

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He looked meaningfully at each of them, a rare flicker of seriousness in his gaze.

Ashar crossed his arms, his brow furrowed.

"It sounds like we should find one of those places where mark-bearers are accepted. Maybe even one where we could learn something—train without constant threats."

Callan nodded thoughtfully.

"There’s a city not too far from here. It’s known for its markets and its… tolerance. Not exactly a haven, but it’s a place where we could gather information and maybe find supplies without drawing too much attention."

"That sounds like a start," Elara said, glancing at Ashar.

"And if there’s even a small chance we can train there, it would be better than running blind through these forests."

Benji shrugged, looking relaxed but alert.

"Fine by me. I could use a real bed, maybe a warm meal too. The city life can be a shock, though, especially if you’re used to being out here. They’ll look at you differently once they see that mark on your skin."

Ashar stared down at his own mark, feeling the weight of Benji’s words. Every step they took deeper into this world seemed to bring more challenges and more layers of mystery. His mark, once a symbol of newfound power, now felt like a responsibility, a constant reminder of the dangerous path he’d chosen.

As they resumed their journey, Callan led them along a winding trail through the forest, explaining what he knew of the city they were heading toward.

“It’s called Veradell. It’s a bit of a melting pot; travelers, traders, mercenaries. You’ll find people from all over, and plenty of rumors if you know who to ask.”

Elara’s eyes brightened.

“I’ve heard of Veradell before! My father used to tell stories about it. He said it was a place where you could find almost anything, as long as you had enough coin.”

Benji chuckled.

“True enough haha. You’ll find the best and worst of humanity there. Just don’t expect it to be all smiles and friendliness. People there are wary, especially of mark-bearers. Keep your head low, and don’t flash your powers unless you have to.”

Ashar nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

"So we’re heading toward a place where we might finally learn more… or get into even more trouble."

Callan gave him a faint smile.

"That’s the life of a mark-bearer. You walk the line between acceptance and danger every day. But if we’re careful, Veradell could be a turning point, a place where we find allies, resources, maybe even a direction."

The group continued their journey, the forest gradually thinning as they neared the edge of the dense woodlands. The air grew lighter, and in the distance, Ashar could make out the faint outline of what looked like a vast cityscape, shimmering under the afternoon sun.

Elara’s excitement was palpable, her usual cautious demeanor softened by the prospect of seeing a real city.

"I wonder what it’ll be like," she mused aloud.

"Maybe we’ll meet other people with marks, learn more about what we can do… or even find someone who can help us understand."

Benji’s gaze flickered toward her, a shadow of something unreadable crossing his face.

"Just remember," he said, his tone casual but edged,

"not everyone with a mark is friendly. Sometimes, other marked ones can be the most dangerous people you’ll meet."

Elara frowned, but before she could respond, Callan interrupted.

"Benji’s right. Power attracts competition. For every ally, there’s someone looking to test their strength against you, to prove themselves or assert dominance."

Ashar absorbed this warning, feeling a renewed determination. He was beginning to realize that this journey would be as much about surviving the people he met as it was about fighting monsters or eluding the Seekers.

As they neared the city gates, a mix of anticipation and caution settled over the group. Ashar could already see the lines of travelers, merchants, and soldiers moving in and out of the gates, their voices and footsteps creating a cacophony of sound. Veradell was alive, vibrant and teeming with mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

“Remember,” Callan said in a low voice as they approached the city’s bustling entrance,

“this isn’t just a stop along the way. We’re here to learn, to observe, and to prepare. Keep your eyes open, and don’t let anyone know more about you than you intend.”

Ashar and Elara nodded, their senses sharpened as they took in the scene before them. This was more than just a city; it was the gateway to a vast world they’d barely begun to understand. And while Veradell held the promise of information and resources, it also harbored dangers that none of them were fully prepared for.

As they stepped through the gates, the noise, the colors, and the energy of Veradell surrounded them, drawing them into its depths. For Ashar, it was a taste of the larger world he was now a part of a world that would challenge him in ways he could hardly imagine.