The group trudged through the dense forest, the weight of their loss still heavy on their shoulders. The sun had long since set, casting the world in shades of deep blue and black.
The air was cool, and the sounds of the wilderness—chirping insects, distant howls, and the rustle of leaves—filled the night. They had been walking for hours, their bodies weary but their minds too restless to stop.
Finally, Victor raised a hand, signalling for the group to halt. "We'll camp here for the night," he said quietly but firmly. "We need rest, and this spot is as good as any."
The area he had chosen was nestled against a steep cliff face, offering some protection from the elements and potential predators. The ground was uneven, littered with rocks and roots, but it was the best they could do under the circumstances.
Lily immediately began scouting the perimeter, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of danger.
Ethan grunted, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the moonlight. "I'll take first watch. I'm not tired anyway."
Walter nodded thoughtfully. "I'll take second."
Sam, who had been quietly observing the group and the surroundings, said, "I'll take third watch."
Victor and Lily exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to take the remaining shifts. AJ rippled slightly, his form shifting as if to say he would keep watch in his own way.
The group gathered what little food they had managed to scavenge during their journey—a handful of berries, some edible roots, and a few small fruits that Sam had identified as safe.
It wasn't much, but it would have to do. They ate in silence, the crackling of the small fire they had lit the only sound breaking the stillness of the night.
As the fire died down, the group settled in for the night. Ethan took his position at the edge of the camp, his eyes scanning the darkness for any movement. The others lay on the hard ground, their bodies exhausted but their minds still racing.
Maria's absence was palpable, a void that none of them could ignore. But they didn't speak of her. Not yet. The wound was too fresh, the pain too raw. Instead, they focused on the immediate task at hand: survival.
---
Ethan stood at the edge of the camp, his eyes scanned the darkness, his senses heightened by the sounds of the wilderness. He clenched his fists, the frustration from earlier still simmering beneath the surface.
We should've fought harder, he thought, his mind replaying the fight in Richard's tent. We should've done more.
But there was no enemy to punch here, no obstacle to smash. Just the cold, hard reality of their situation. Ethan sighed, his breath visible in the moonlight. He glanced back at the camp, where the others lay sleeping. They were all counting on him to keep them safe, and he wouldn't let them down.
Walter took over from Ethan, his movements slow and deliberate. Walter slowly paced back and forth. Even though he seemed to be in deep thought, he remained alert of his surroundings, glancing over at bushes rustling before continuing his walking.
As the hours passed by, everyone stood guard over the camp. Thankfully it was a peaceful night, allowing everyone to rest their bodies even if their minds were constantly racing and emotions swirling.
---
The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The group stirred, their sleep restless and fitful.
Victor was the last one to stand guard and was therefore already up, his movements deliberate as he checked the perimeter. The others slowly got up, their bodies stiff from the cold ground but their spirits slightly renewed by the promise of a new day.
As they packed up their meagre belongings, the group began to discuss their next steps.
"We can't wander aimlessly," Victor said.
Lily nodded thoughtfully. "We need to get stronger. Strong enough to take on Richard and his enforcers. But we can't do that out here, scavenging for scraps."
Ethan spoke up. "Then we find a way to get stronger. We train, we fight, we push ourselves to the limit. Whatever it takes."
Sam chimed in. "We also need to learn more about this new world. There's power here—mana, creatures, resources. If we can harness it, we might stand a chance."
Walter nodded approvingly, not feeling the need to interject.
AJ rippled slightly, his form shifting as if to agree. He extended a tendril, mimicking the shape of a hand pointing into the distance. The message was clear: We need to explore.
Victor nodded, his expression hardening. "Then that's what we'll do. We'll explore, find whatever treasures or knowledge it has to offer, and use it to get stronger. And when we're ready, we'll go back for Maria."
The group fell silent, the weight of Victor's words settling over them. It was a daunting task, but it was also their only option. They had lost Maria, but they hadn't lost their resolve. If anything, her absence had only strengthened their determination.
---
As they continued their journey, the group began to encounter strange and unfamiliar flora. The forest was teeming with life, but much of it was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Sam, with the knowledge bestowed upon him by the Progenitor, took the lead in analysing the new plants.
The first plant they came across was a tall, slender stalk with vibrant blue leaves that shimmered in the sunlight. Sam knelt beside it, his eyes narrowing as he examined it closely.
"This is interesting," he murmured, more to himself than to the others. "The leaves contain a high concentration of mana. If we can extract it, we might be able to use it to enhance our abilities."
Lily crouched beside him, her curiosity piqued. "How do we extract it?"
Sam plucked one of the leaves and held it up to the light. "The mana is stored in the veins of the leaf. If we crush it and mix it with water, the mana should be released. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a start."
Further along the trail, they encountered a cluster of low-growing plants with thick, rubbery leaves and bright red berries. Sam immediately recognised them.
"These are Firethorn berries," he said cautiously. "They're highly toxic if eaten raw, but if cooked properly, they can be used to create a potent stimulant. It's risky, but it could give us an edge in a fight."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You're saying we should eat poison to get stronger?"
Sam shook his head. "Not eat it raw. We'd need to boil the berries and extract the active compounds. It's a delicate process, but it could be worth it."
Walter, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "From the sounds of it, there's likely to be side effects. It should be used as a last resort."
---
As the group continued their journey, they couldn't help but notice how Sam seemed to know far more about the plants and creatures they encountered than the rest of them.
While they all had a vague intuition about what was dangerous and what wasn't, thanks to the survival knowledge they had been granted, Sam's understanding went much deeper.
He could identify specific properties of plants, predict the behaviour of creatures, and even suggest ways to harness their abilities.
Finally, Lily broke the silence. "Sam, how do you know all this?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "We all got the same survival knowledge, but you're pulling details out of nowhere. What's going on?"
Sam paused. "Oh right, I didn't tell you guys about that... The truth is I don't really know either. Maria noticed it earlier when we were together, my best guess is that the wish granter took a liking to me or something."
Ethan's brow furrowed. "So, you're saying you got special treatment? Why you?"
Sam shrugged. "I wish I knew. I'm not about to complain though. This knowledge could not only save our lives but help us grow stronger, faster."
Walter seemed sceptical. "Are you sure this isn't some kind of trick? Why would that 'being' give you more knowledge than the rest of us?"
"I can't be sure. That's why we won't use any of the plants and things we've gathered until I can test them and make sure they are safe," Sam reassured.
Victor's expression was serious. "Whatever the reason, we're lucky to have it."
The group fell silent, each of them processing Sam's revelation. While they were grateful for his knowledge, it also raised questions about the wish granter's intentions. Why had Sam been chosen for this extra gift? And what did it mean for their journey?
---
As the day wore on, the group continued to explore the forest, their confidence growing with each new discovery. They found a patch of glowing mushrooms that emitted a soft, blue light, which Sam identified as Nightshade Caps.
"These mushrooms are rich in mana," he explained. "If we grind them into a powder, we should be able to use it to create a salve that accelerates healing. It's not as effective as proper medical treatment, but it's better than nothing."
Lily carefully harvested a few of the mushrooms, storing them in a small pouch. "We'll need to find more of these," she said. "If we're going to be fighting, we'll need all the healing we can get."
As they pressed on, the group suddenly froze. Ahead of them, partially hidden by the undergrowth, was a creature that sent a chill down their spines. It was a bit larger than an average-sized dog, with a sleek, reptilian body covered in shimmering, metallic scales.
Its eyes glowed a faint green, and its long tail twitched as it surveyed its surroundings. The creature's movements were deliberate, its sharp claws digging into the earth as it prowled.
"What is that thing?" Ethan whispered, his hand tightening around his axe.
Sam's eyes narrowed as he looked at the creature. "I'm pretty sure it's a Scaleclaw Ravager," he said quietly. "Its scales are resistant to physical attacks. It's fast, aggressive, and territorial. We need to be careful."