Chapter 23: The Untouched Borders

Odesse saw herself standing in a forest under the moonlight. The sound of passing birds filled the air, accompanied by weird creaks and fleeting shadows. Odesse looked around nervously, then walked deeper into the forest until she reached a clearing, a place devoid of trees, as if it were the center of the forest. The moon shone directly above it, casting the rest of the woods into shadow.

In the clearing, she saw a tall man with black, shiny hair and broad shoulders, standing with his back turned to her. His naked back was marred with deep, fresh slashes, like someone had dug a sword into his skin. Odesse’s eyes widened in shock as she stood frozen behind him. Finally, she managed to speak, her voice trembling, "Um, hello?"

At the sound of her voice, the man’s shoulders fell as if he were relieved. He sighed and turned to face her. Odesse instinctively covered her face with her hands, shaking in fear. Then she felt a warm embrace; the man’s hand wrapped around her comfortingly. Her eyes opened wide in surprise, and she looked up to see tears streaming down his face. It was Valex.

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