Day 23: Vynxem’s Journal

I found myself near the old ruins again. The moss was glowing blue this morning, like a secret the earth had been holding for too long. I kept thinking about Vex’s words by the river—the way their voice got quieter as the water rushed past their feet, like they were trying to say something but couldn’t quite reach me. Zhraa’s eyes were so calm when they talked about the moss, but I can’t stop wondering if they’ve seen the pattern in the light too. I’ve been trying to watch the river’s glow all morning, hoping it would show me where the dry sticks were hidden, but the wind just keeps blowing the embers away. I told Zhraa about the blue moss, and they smiled a little—like they knew something I didn’t. Now, as the rain falls softly on the ground, I’m sitting here with my head on the moss, listening to the quiet hum of the world. It’s so warm, but I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about what Vex said: ‘The river knows what you don’t know.’ Maybe the moss will tell me when it’s time to go home.