The dense, oppressive canopy of the forest finally began to thin, giving way to a rocky, high-altitude clearing that offered a stunning, if desolate, view of the starlit sky.
The air was cold and crisp, a relief after the claustrophobic humidity of the woods.
With practiced ease, they set up camp. Julian ignited the fire with a mere glance, a controlled spark of lightning setting the kindling ablaze. Clarissa and Aya began unpacking rations, while Zoe vanished and returned with an armful of dry firewood.
As the smell of reheated stew filled the air, the group settled around the fire, the day's tension slowly melting away. The conversation, for once, wasn't about tactics or survival.
"So," Emma began, nudging Fey with her foot where the engineer lay sprawled on a bedroll. "What did you even do before all... this? You can't have just been lazy."
