The rain had not stopped for two days. What began as a light shower soon became a relentless downpour that transformed the countryside into a vast, muddy swamp. Their progress slowed to a crawl as horses struggled through the deepening water.
"This isn't natural," Huangyan said, wiping water from her eyes. "The seasonal storms shouldn't have started yet."
Grim nodded, scanning the flooded landscape. Something about the rain felt wrong. Each droplet seemed charged with energy, carrying more water mana than it should.
[A water dragon approaches. It's a Jiaolong.]
The voice in Grim's mind spoke.
"What did you say?" Grim muttered under his breath, scanning the flooded landscape.
"We need to find higher ground," she called out over the pounding rain. "The road ahead will be impassable soon."
Lianna urged her horse alongside his, her hair plastered to her face despite the hood of her cloak. Unlike the others, she seemed almost energized by the harsh conditions.
