Night held the forest in a tight grip long after the sounds of the earlier confrontation faded. The group had withdrawn carefully, doubling back twice before settling in a shallow depression between thick roots and a fallen trunk. It was not safe, only safer. In the Forbidden Forest, safety was always relative.
No fire. No talking beyond whispers. Even movement was measured.
Fatigue showed in small ways. Taylen flexed his fingers often, easing the tremor left by adrenaline. Ronan kept his spear across his knees, eyes half-closed but never fully resting. Sarah checked the same strap on her bracer more times than needed. Only Sai and Eissa looked steady, their breathing already sinking into the cultivation rhythm.
Robert watched them all before closing his eyes. He let his senses sink inward. Soul Power: 500,000.
