They both reached the riverbank, where the heart of the city unfolded in full view before them. The once distant myth had transformed into a communal obsession—people of all ages crowded the sparkling river: children giggling while skipping stones, elderly citizens exchanging stories of old folklore, and robed mages standing quietly as they cast detection spells over the water.
Even from a glance, it was clear: this was no mere rumor.
The river itself stretched out like a living creature—wider and grander than anything Marcus had imagined. What the system had described barely scratched the surface. The river pulsed with life, its waters glittering with hints of enchantment, home to countless aquatic species. Lush flora curled around its edges, forming a magical thicket that resembled the Forest of Trials in both ambiance and mystery.
