The moon was high when Kael gave the order.
The mission had begun.
—
The two teams were adjusted for light, silent movement.
Advance Team:
Nikita
Helena
Samantha
Support Team:
Claudia
Camila
Amina
Patricia, Marie, and Isadora remained at the Command Base, maintaining surveillance and ready support.
Otrho temporarily returned to Marco Norte to monitor any further changes to the symbol during the group's absence.
Kael would lead the expedition.
—
The journey to the Veiled Forest took less than an hour.
The area was known for its ancient vegetation and hidden trails.
Even mortals avoided the region at night — old stories spoke of lights dancing among the trees and voices calling to the unwary.
For Kael, such legends could be distorted memories of real events.
Portals.
Convergences.
Temporal memories the world had forgotten.
—
As they reached the forest's central clearing, the sensors began reacting.
Patricia, over the communicator, reported:
— Energy pattern detected. It's harmonizing with the Marco's symbol.
Amina and Samantha confirmed.
— Something... or someone... is here. And it is not of the present.
—
In the center of the clearing, beneath an ancient tree, there was a formation of stones arranged in an almost perfect circle.
Atop the largest stone, the same symbol seen at the Marco and the Brussels market now glowed with a soft golden hue.
Kael raised his arm.
The group halted.
Silence.
Controlled breathing.
Time was speaking.
And they all knew:
they were not alone.