Chapter 2 – The Strange EncounterThe morning sun in Windale was nothing like the city Aria had left behind. Instead of bursting through glass towers and painting the concrete gold, here it filtered softly through layers of mist and old oak trees. The light felt fragile, as though it had to fight its way through shadows that refused to leave.Aria wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck as she stepped out of the Crestwood Inn. The innkeeper had given her a polite nod that morning but no conversation. Even the clatter of breakfast plates had seemed hushed, like everything in