The courtyard fell silent once again.
The gentle laughter had disappeared as suddenly as it had come, leaving only the rustling of leaves above them.
No one spoke.
Salvador's eyes remained fixed on the ivy-covered archway.
His heartbeat echoed loudly inside his ears.
Whatever waited beyond that opening...
He knew it was important.
Very slowly, he took another step.
Ella stayed beside him without hesitation.
Felix and Harvey exchanged a glance before following closely behind.
None of them wanted Salvador walking into the unknown alone.
As they approached the archway, the ivy slowly swayed although there was no wind.
Golden sunlight poured through the leaves, making them shimmer like emeralds.
Harvey frowned.
"Did anyone touch those vines?"
"No," Felix answered quietly.
"They moved on their own."
Ella reached out carefully and brushed the ivy aside.
The leaves offered almost no resistance.
Beyond them stretched another narrow path paved with white stones.
