Ball, the sandfish, slowed down, hesitating as if uncertain. It turned back toward Aino and let out a few chirping noises.

As a well-trained sandfish, Ball instinctively knew how to help hunters track their prey. It was also deeply ingrained with the knowledge of safe zones and forbidden areas, forming a natural boundary in its mind.

Now, they had strayed from the usual path—this was a restricted area.

Ball glanced at its unfamiliar traveling companion—a being it had never seen before.

Aino simply stared at it blankly.

Having no other means of locating Solsti, Aino had placed all her hope in the sandfish. When it suddenly stopped, she assumed it had lost the trail.

"What’s wrong? Can’t sense her anymore?"