For now, she had no choice but to retreat. Hidden behind the gnarled bark of a tree, she waited patiently as the pack of Beastmen prowled past, their snarls fading into the depths of the corrupted forest. Once the path cleared, she slipped away, tracing her steps back to the flying ship. She had marked the forest with a subtle glyph—an elemental signature only she could recognize—anchored to the incomplete map of the floating island Rocco had given her.
As usual, upon arrival, she placed her hand on the crystal embedded in the ship's console. It shimmered faintly, registering her return and dispensing the reward. She collapsed onto the couch with a deep sigh, exhaustion etched into every breath.
"If I keep going like this," she muttered, voice low and weary, "I might not progress at all. I'm just clinging to hope that I'll somehow complete the quest."
Rocco approached quietly and sat beside her, cross-legged and calm.
