Chapter 9 – The First ClueThe first rays of morning light filtered through the forest canopy as Tessa opened her eyes. The campfire had long burned out, and the warmth of the night was giving way to the crisp chill of early morning air.

  She sat up, stretched briefly, and shook the dew from her armor. The sleep had been short, but enough. Long rest was never her style.

  Without a word—internal or otherwise—she resumed her march.

  Traces in the ForestThe morning passed, the sun climbing higher in the sky.

  As Tessa followed the river, she began to notice subtle changes in the terrain.

  The underbrush thinned. The trees stood farther apart.

  And the ground beneath her boots felt… different.

  More compact. Smoother.

  Then she saw it.

  A path.

  Not a built road, no cobblestones or pnks—but a trail, unmistakably shaped by frequent passage.

  She knelt, examining the earth closely.

  Packed dirt. Scuff marks. Wheel grooves. Footprints.

  “A road.”

  Mike stirred in her mind.

  “Wait, like… a real road?”

  Tessa shook her head.

  “No. Not like in your world. This one wasn’t constructed—it was formed. From repetition. Someone walks this way often.”

  Mike sounded thoughtful.

  “So… people?”

  Tessa nodded slowly.

  “Possibly.”

  The Sound in the DistanceThen—a sound.

  A low, rhythmic rumble.

  Something rolling over solid ground.

  Mike reacted instantly.

  “Quick—hide!”

  Tessa frowned.

  Hide? She wasn’t one to hide.

  But then again, he had a point.

  She knew nothing about this world. Nothing about its people.

  Caution was wise.

  After a moment of hesitation, she slipped back into the shadows of the forest.

  Despite her heavy armor, her movements were graceful. Silent.

  In seconds, she vanished from view.

  The Source of the NoiseThe sound grew louder.

  The ctter of wooden wheels.

  The crunch of packed dirt.

  The steady breath of a beast pulling weight.

  Then it came into view.

  An old cart, pulled by an ox.

  The ObservationThe cart was simple. Roughly built. Loaded with sacks and bundles.

  A man sat on the front board, dressed in worn but functional clothes.

  He didn’t look like a soldier. No sword. No armor.

  His posture was rexed, but his eyes scanned the woods with quiet vigince—cautious, aware.

  Tessa remained perfectly still in the shadows, watching every detail.

  Mike Notices Something StrangeMike was the first to speak.

  “That guy… he looks Asian.”

  Tessa frowned.

  “What does that mean?”

  Mike paused.

  “In my world, we have different regions. ‘Asian’ refers to people from pces like Japan, China, Korea…”

  Tessa considered this.

  “His appearance… yes, there’s a resembnce. But his clothing—it fits more with a tribe from my world.”

  Mike was silent for a moment.

  Then, contemptive:

  “That’s… strange.”

  New Questions EmergeTessa watched the cart until it vanished from sight.

  Her thoughts raced.

  Why did this man resemble someone from Mike’s world?

  Why did his culture feel more like hers?

  What was this pce?

  A mystery that demanded answers.

  End of Chapter 9