The jungle around them was alive with sounds - bird calls, rustling leaves, the distant roar of something large crashing through the underbrush. Ancient trees stretched toward the blue sky, their trunks so massive it would take a dozen people to wrap their arms around even the smaller ones. Bright flowers bloomed everywhere, and the air smelled sweet and earthy.
The expedition moved carefully through this paradise. Captain Lyralei led from the front, her years of experience letting her spot signs of dangerous wildlife that the others might miss. Behind her, the team stayed in formation to protect each other while trying not to disturb too much of the environment around them.
They'd been walking for almost two hours when Fenix started noticing something. Alfred the ship's pilot had been doing a lot to help them as they moved through the forest - they'd seen plenty beasts from the ship - and yet they hadn't run into a single fight.
