The fire crackled softly in the center of the small meadow, its light casting flickering shadows against the darkening sky. General Zaroth Deighton sat near the flames, his sharp brown eyes scanning the surrounding trees as his men silently ate their portions of roasted deer. The air was cool, thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, but his focus remained on the mission at hand.

The intel had been clear—a Star Child, thought lost since Kazar’s witch, Calanthia, attacked the isles. Somehow, the girl had taken half of Calanthia’s power, a feat that should have been impossible. The witch had been hunting her relentlessly, furious at her own failure, yet the child had vanished without a trace. Until now.

But Zaroth had yet to find any sign of her. His team had moved quickly, tracking her supposed last known location, searching for any hint of her presence. And yet, the trail remained cold.

He adjusted his gauntlet, his expression unreadable as frustration simmered beneath the surface. If this was false information, if someone had wasted his time, there would be consequences. His men knew better than to question him, eating in silence as the fire burned low.

Still, he wasn’t one to give up so easily. If the girl was here, he would find her. He always did.