Night had settled fully in the crystalline forest, the soft hum of the glowing trees pulsing around Lira and Renkai's camp. The vials of crystal fruit juice shimmered faintly in the firelight, and Fluffy snoozed quietly in her arms. Lira had just finished labeling each vial and arranging the pulped fruits when a tiny movement caught her eye.
Something small was darting between the spiky crystal branches—a blur of soft light, glimmering like one of the crystals themselves. At first, she thought it was a reflection or one of the floating sparks in the forest, but then it paused near the edge of their camp. Two bright, curious eyes blinked at her.
Renkai noticed it too, sitting up slightly. "Do you see that?" he whispered.
