The morning sun broke over the horizon as the expedition party left the ruins behind, the air crisp with the scent of dew on grass. Boots crunched over dirt and gravel as squads moved in loose formation along the winding road that threaded through wilderness. The forest was alive with distant birdsong, but the tension in the group kept voices low. When monsters appeared, the battles were sharp and fast-paced—packs of mossback boars charging from the underbrush, their tusks gouging earth before being cut down by well-placed strikes. Drathan fought with detached precision, but his gaze often drifted, thoughts elsewhere. Kenshin noticed, exchanging a glance with Seme, but said nothing.
Velra kept her squad tight, eyes scanning for threats. Her mind weighed the treasure they carried against the dangers ahead. Mira's senses were sharp, reading every shift of the wind and rustle of leaves. The silent swordsman in their midst moved like a shadow, his hand never far from his weapon.
By late afternoon, they found a suitable campsite near the main road—a clearing edged by tall grass, with a small stream nearby. The rare ingredients from the tower's stores transformed the evening stew into something rich and aromatic, the fragrance curling into the air like an unspoken invitation. The scent of slow-simmered herbs mixed with tender cuts of monster meat and root vegetables, making stomachs growl before the first bowls were served. When they ate, the flavors were deep and layered—smoky undertones from fire-roasted mushrooms, bursts of sweetness from wild berries, and a savory richness from the marbled meat.
The group reacted instantly. Kenshin leaned back with a satisfied groan. "Yo… this is hittin' different. Like, I feel my soul getting stronger."
One of the healers laughed between bites. "It's not just taste—these ingredients are packed with mana-restoring properties. You'll recover faster, muscles will heal overnight, and your core energy will feel lighter."
A swordsman from another squad swirled his spoon in the broth, noting the faint shimmer on the surface. "There's essence in this. My strikes might actually have more weight tomorrow."
Even the usually reserved Mira closed her eyes briefly, savoring the warmth as it slid down her throat. "Feels like it's mending me from the inside out," she murmured.
Velra caught Drathan after dinner, motioning him to walk a short distance from the firelight. Her expression was serious. "We need to talk about what happened when we split up," she began, her voice low. "I know your group went somewhere different, and I've heard bits and pieces from Mira, but I want the full story. What did you find?"
Drathan glanced at the ornate fan Velra carried, then back to her face. "I could ask the same. That fan wasn't on you before. What happened on your end?"
Velra's gaze softened slightly as she exhaled. "The tower had three major floors. First was a library—ancient tomes, records that could change how people see magic. Second was full of rare medicines. The trial there nearly poisoned half the squad, but we got an elixir said to heal anything, even pull someone from death's door. The third floor…" She shook her head. "Weapons forged from materials most people will never even see. Enchantments woven into the steel. But there was a trial—an oppressive aura that crushed the weak. We lost some to it. This fan was the final prize, though none of us can read the inscriptions. Could be priceless. Could be useless."
Drathan smirked faintly. "We found more than treasure. That temple… it had history. A statue of a deity—"
Kenshin appeared before Drathan could finish, grinning like a cat who found cream. "Yo, this about bro passing out? Told you, Velra, it's 'cause he been spending too much time with that red-haired shorty from the other squad." His tone dripped mischief.
Velra rolled her eyes but waved him off. "Your group only needs to give up ten percent of what you found. Pick what it is."
Drathan's eyes returned to the fan. "We'll give thirty if you hand me that fan."
Velra raised a brow. "If you figure out what it does, you tell me."
"Deal."
Later, Drathan gathered with Kenshin and Seme by the dimming fire. Mira lingered nearby, listening. Kenshin leaned back on his hands. "So, what's the real play with that fan?"
Drathan shook his head. "Fan's one thing. But that statue? We keep it between us. Until we know the whole truth, nobody outside this circle hears about it."
Seme nodded firmly. "Can't be trusting folks too quick out here. This ain't our world, and we don't know who's playing which side."
Mira's eyes narrowed slightly, tail flicking once. "And if people find out you made contact with… whatever that was?"
"They won't," Drathan said, voice steady. "Not unless we want them to."
The four shared a silent agreement before the fire, the weight of their unspoken pact settling in. One by one, they turned in for the night.
The camp fell quiet, the watchful stars peering down as if they, too, were keeping the secret.