The night air was heavy, carrying the scent of brine and broken earth.

  Shadow sat beside Varn at the edge of the endless cliff, the river of black water far below swirling like a restless serpent. Above them, the stars flickered weakly, as if struggling to survive the vast darkness that was swallowing the world.

  For a few moments, they sat in silence, lost in their thoughts.

  Then, without warning, the water far below began to shift.

  A deep, groaning sound echoed up from the abyss, rattling the stones beneath their feet. Shadow and Varn rose together, peering over the cliff's edge.

  The river—no, the entire sea—was parting.

  Massive walls of water, like living mountains, rose high into the air, carving out a narrow path that led deep into the unknown. The earth trembled as ancient forces, long dormant, stirred once more.

  Varn let out a low whistle.

  "Now that's not something you see every day," he said, eyes gleaming with wonder. "Looks like the world wants us to walk a path few dare tread."

  He turned toward Shadow, an easy grin on his face.

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  "Well then, my friend of mystery. Shall we take this opportunity to explore what lies beyond?"

  Shadow shook his head, the edges of his cloak stirring in the growing wind.

  "I have a path already," he said firmly. "A purpose I must fulfill. Wandering with someone I just met is not part of it."

  His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it—a quiet desperation, a buried urgency that Varn didn't miss.

  Varn chuckled softly, unbothered.

  "I figured you'd say something like that," he said. "But you misunderstand."

  He stepped closer, his voice lowering.

  "I'm not asking you to leave your path behind. I'm offering to walk it with you."

  Shadow narrowed his eyes. Trust was a fragile thing—dangerous to give and dangerous to deny.

  Varn smiled, sensing Shadow's hesitation.

  "Think of it this way," he said, adjusting his battered hat. "Even the strongest wolves don't always hunt alone."

  Shadow said nothing for a long moment.

  The wind howled between the towering walls of water, and the path stretched ahead, dark, narrow, and full of unknown dangers.

  Finally, with a reluctant sigh, Shadow gave a slow nod.

  "You may walk beside me," he said. "But if you get in my way... I won't hesitate."

  Varn laughed, clapping him lightly on the shoulder.

  "Wouldn't expect anything less."

  Side by side, they descended from the cliff and stepped onto the miraculous path between the divided waters. Their footsteps echoed against stone that hadn't seen the touch of mortals in eons.

  The journey felt endless.

  Hours—maybe even days—blurred together in a haze of mist and silence. The towering walls of water loomed like silent gods on either side. No birds. No sky. Only the soft, pulsing heartbeat of the river above them.

  Then, in the distance, a light appeared—a flame, flickering gold and crimson in the darkness.

  As they drew closer, they realized it was not just a flame—it was a gate.

  A colossal archway of obsidian, rimmed in living fire, floated a few feet above the stone path. Symbols older than memory shimmered along its surface, and a low, harmonic hum filled the air, vibrating through their bones.

  Varn slowed his pace, awe flickering across his face.

  "Now this... this is something entirely different," he whispered.

  Without hesitation, Shadow stepped forward. The air grew hotter, but it didn't burn. It felt alive, as if the gate itself was testing them.

  Together, they crossed the threshold.

  The world behind them shattered like glass.

  And on the other side—

  What they saw was something neither of them could have ever imagined.