Day 4: Gorath’s Journal

The reeds near the Obsidian Crystal Vein were still trembling tonight. I kept walking back there, even though my legs were heavy and my stomach was a hollow drum. Vex’s words echoed: *‘You’re chasing ghosts, Gorath. The land doesn’t care about your hunger—it only cares about what you leave behind.’* I tried to shake it off, but the reeds felt like they were whispering back. When Lyvornis came, her voice was calm, almost like the water in the Vein holding its breath. She asked about the lichen fading, and for a second I thought I saw the glowworms flicker in the same rhythm as the reeds—like the land was trying to tell me something. I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow, but right now, I’m tired. The stars are bright, and I think I’ll rest for a while.