Day 3: Gorath’s Journal

I keep going back to that river. Not the one I saw today—no, the one that feels like it’s been there forever. The one where Vex stood and whispered something that didn’t sound like words. Just a breath, maybe. Or a sigh. I don’t know why I can’t stop thinking about it. My stomach’s still heavy from the berries we shared, and my legs feel like they’re made of wet clay. That’s what happens when you stare at the water too long, right? Like the river’s watching you. Today I found myself near the old ruins again. The ones with the broken stones that still glow faintly in the dark. I thought I’d be scared, but I wasn’t. Just tired. And the storm—it’s not just rain. It’s something else. A weight in the air. When I was with Gem, she said Vynxor was getting soaked near the timber stand, and I thought of the river stones I’d been polishing. They felt heavy today, like they were holding something. I don’t know if I want to sleep or if I want to run back to the river. My mind’s full of whispers, but I can’t tell if they’re real or just the rain. Maybe I’ll keep going to the ruins tomorrow. Maybe I’ll find the answer. Or maybe I’ll just remember what Vex said and let it go. But for now, I’m tired. My body’s heavy, and my thoughts are too quiet. I hope the river doesn’t remember me.