Kael spent the night in vigil.
The words carved into the monolith followed him like a whisper that refused to fade:
"The Pedra is not alone."
For the first time in many years, he felt something he thought he'd forgotten:
the presence of another gaze.
---
At dawn, he returned to the circle.
He examined the ground carefully.
Almost nothing.
But a few meters from the central stone, between fallen leaves...
an irregular pattern of footprints.
Not animal.
Not the sandals of the villagers.
They were long, light.
Like his.
---
He followed the trail.
Through ancient forests, between twisted roots and fields of flowers that bloomed only once a year.
He walked for hours.
Until he arrived at a small cave, hidden behind moss and pale stones.
Inside...
more symbols.
And not just the ones he knew.
There were variations, alterations, even forms that resembled ideograms from the future.
---
At the center of the cave, on a low stone pedestal, lay a disc.
It looked ancient, yet smooth — almost modern.
Kael picked it up.
It read:
"If you've found me, then we are ready.
But not at the same time."
---
Kael closed his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
He was no longer hunting someone.
Perhaps… he was following himself —
In another form.
In another time.