The wind whispers through the towering narra trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and crushed ferns. For Lyka, the woods aren't just a collection of trees; they are a living, breathing sanctuary far from the noise of the city.
Filtering through the dense canopy, shards of golden sunlight dance on the moss-covered ground, illuminating the intricate patterns of spiderwebs and the vibrant green of wild orchids clinging to the bark. Every snap of a dry twig under her boots feels like a conversation with the forest, and the rhythmic chirping of hidden cicadas provides a steady, natural soundtrack to her thoughts.
She feels a profound sense of scale here—how small she is compared to the ancient roots, yet how deeply connected she is to the quiet strength of the wilderness. There is no rush, no notifications, only the cool air on her skin and the endless, peaceful green stretching out before her.
The golden light filters through the dense canopy, casting long, shifting shadows across the forest floor as Lyka walks. The air is thick with the scent of damp moss and wild ferns, the only sound the rhythmic crunch of her boots against the earth.
She stops for a moment, the silence of the woods wrapping around her like a blanket. It's here, away from the noise of the world, that everything feels clearer. She feels the pull of the wilderness, but an even stronger pull toward the person waiting for her at the edge of the treeline.
As she reaches the clearing, she finds Mina waiting by the trailhead, looking out over the valley. Lyka approaches her silently, the space between them closing until she can feel the warmth radiating from Mina's jacket.
Lyka leans in close, her voice a soft vibration in the quiet air. "It's written in the code, Mina," she whispers into her hair, her breath ghosting against her skin. "I can't help but come back to you."
Mina stays still for a heartbeat, the words hanging between them like a physical thread. She slowly turns her head, her eyes searching Lyka's with an intensity that matches the surrounding wild.
"You and your metaphors," Mina breathes, a small, knowing smile breaking through her surprise. "You go out there looking for a path, but you've known the way home all along, haven't you?"
Lyka reaches out, her fingers grazing Mina's sleeve. "Paths change. The code doesn't."