King Akshay still needed to hear what happened to Elrick.
And if Lee was right, whatever killed him might only be the beginning.
"You don't have to go."
Kai looked toward his friend.
Friend.
The realization surprised him.
Lee smiled.
"You can stay here."
Kai considered it.
For a moment.
A very brief moment.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
The answer felt natural.
Instinctive.
"I need to go."
"Why?"
Kai looked toward the mountains.
Toward Yggdrasil.
Toward the unknown.
"I don't know."
Lee laughed.
"That's the most Kai answer I've ever heard."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"I've only been here a few weeks."
"Still counts."
The two shared a brief laugh.
Then silence returned.
A comfortable silence.
The kind shared between friends.
Finally Lee extended a hand.
Kai shook it.
"Take care of yourself."
"You too."
"And try not to punch any monsters."
"I'll do my best."
"No you won't."
"Fair."
Lee laughed.
Kai adjusted his bag.
Then turned toward the road.
Toward Yggdrasil.
Toward answers.
Toward the next chapter of his journey.
As he walked away, Lee watched from the village entrance.
The young man eventually became a silhouette against the afternoon sun.
Then a distant figure.
Then barely visible.
Yet Lee remained there.
Watching.
Hoping.
"Good luck, Kai."
The wind carried the words away.
And ahead, beyond the mountains, fate was already waiting.