The forest seemed… normal again.
Strax walked ahead with the same steady pace as before, pushing aside branches with minimal movements, as if his body already knew exactly where to go. The light filtered through the tall treetops drew soft patterns on the ground, and for a few moments it was easy to believe that nothing was wrong there—only ancient trees, deep roots, and the damp smell of living earth.
Behind him, Xenovia and Kryssia followed in silence.
It wasn't a tense silence. It was the kind of stillness that only arises when experienced warriors trust their own senses and each other. Neither of them spoke, but their eyes never stopped moving, following shadows, trunks, small changes in the terrain.
Strax slowed his pace slightly.
He closed his eyes again.
This time, the mana sweep was short. Controlled. Precise.
Nothing leaped at him.
