The third evening of the journey began with a sky painted in soft orange and pink. The sun dipped low behind the hills, casting long shadows on the dirt road. The carriages of House Tigerin rolled forward, the wheels creaking gently as they passed through a stretch of empty woodland. Tall trees lined both sides of the path, their branches whispering with the wind.
Eren sat on top of the third carriage, his eyes scanning the trees. He had been feeling uneasy for the last hour. The forest was too quiet. No birds chirped. No animals stirred.
"Something's off," he muttered.
Inside the carriage, Sofiya sat beside Aldo and Roma. The boy had fallen asleep, his head resting on a rolled blanket. Roma looked tired but alert, reading a scroll.
Sofiya glanced up at Eren through the small open window. "What is it?"
He didn't answer at first. His hand was on the hilt of his blade. He turned slightly, eyes narrowing.
Then, he saw it.
