By the time we finally reached the edge of the safe zone, the sun was already sinking lower in the sky, spilling long golden shadows across the path we had been walking for days.
The familiar wooden barriers of the village appeared between the trees ahead, and for the first time since we left, the tight feeling in everyone's shoulders visibly eased. It was not complete safety, but it was familiar safety, and that alone was enough to make even exhaustion feel lighter.
Han Li exhaled loudly the moment she saw the entrance.
"I never thought I would be this happy to see a fence in my life," she said while staring at it like it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Wu Lian immediately rolled her eyes beside her.
"It is still just wood," she replied flatly. "You are acting like you survived ten wars."
Han Li pointed at herself without hesitation.
"I almost got eaten by a tiger."
Wu Lian did not even look impressed.
"You were not alone."
