The Sanctuary's glow flickered faintly, its hum no longer reassuring—just a thin, fragile veil against the hunger of the Wilderness.
He turned to Ember, stroking her feathers gently, his tone softening like a mother encouraging a child. "You're our eyes, Ember. We need you to scout beyond the barrier—find those boars, or whatever's out there. Stay high, stay safe."
Ember chirped, her wings fluttering with eager determination, her Storm Sense already probing the air. Karl's heart swelled with pride, but his mind churned. With 8 Essence Crystals, 27 Summoning Shards level 1, and dwindling food (deer meat for 4-5 days, a few Sunfire Fruits), resources were enough for now but if kept for long it can spoil.
That's why the Supply Depot, which requires 10 crystals to preserve food, is important. But collecting the remaining two crystals and building it isn't an option until we clear the wolves and the unknown presence looming outside. We need to get stronger first.
Upgrading Thorn or Grok to Bronze II (7-8 crystals each) would make them stronger, but Karl doubted it would address the group's need for versatility against the unknown threat and the wolf pack (two Bronze II, two Bronze I).
After a moment's thought, Karl made his choice.
"Two new summons," he muttered, his voice firm; "we need numbers and versatility now. Upgrading can wait until we know what we're facing." He glanced at Grok and Thorn, their steady presence grounding him.
"Let's move to the Summoning Gate."
Grok nodded, his barkskin form creaking as he hefted his club, while Thorn prowled beside him, his Thorn-laced fur rustling, wounds nearly healed from Mira's vitality tonic. Mira remained by her fire, grinding the black berries into a thick, dark paste, her hands steady despite the distant howls that shook the trees. The pungent scent of crushed poison filled the air, curling around the flames like a warning.
"Be careful, Mira," Karl called, his voice taut with concern. He stepped closer, eyes scanning the shadowed treeline as the howls rose again, sharper this time.
"One slip, one touch… and it could be dangerous even to you."
Mira glanced up briefly, determination bright in her eyes. "I know, my Lord. I'll be careful."
Karl led Grok and Thorn to the Summoning Gate, its emerald vines pulsing with a faint, rhythmic glow. The air hummed with energy, thick with the scent of sap and ozone.
He clutched two Essence Crystals and two Summoning Shards, the warm glow of the crystals steadying his resolve.
"Two more allies," he said, pressing the resources into the Gate's rippling field. "Let's see who joins us."
The vines flared, light surging like a heartbeat, the ground trembling beneath their feet. The energy parted, and a wiry figure stepped through—a young man with sharp, hawk-like eyes and a leather satchel slung across his shoulder. His hands were calloused, marked by faint burn scars, and a short bone dagger hung at his belt. His dark hair was tied back, and his movements were quick, alert, like a hunter accustomed to danger.
Before Karl could speak, the Gate blazed again. A tall, sinewy woman emerged, her dark braid streaked with grey, clad in leather woven with vines. She carried a small bone whistle and a pouch of essence-infused lures, her green eyes calm but keen, radiating a quiet affinity for beasts. The bond snapped into place, tying both to Karl, their vitalities pulsing in sync with the Sanctuary.
Karl lowered his spear, his voice calm but commanding. "I'm Karl Varn, Lord of this territory. You've been summoned through the Summoning Gate, and you're safe within the Sanctuary's barrier—for now." He gestured to the shimmering dome, its faint hum a fragile shield against the forest's hunger.
The man's eyes swept over the group, taking in the towering trees and their careful, alert stances. "Summoned?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.
"I was tracking a beast in my world… and then I ended up here." His fingers rested lightly on his dagger, tension easing as the bond's pull reached him. "Name's Renn. I'm a scout—skilled with traps and tracking, I survived by tracking, trapping, staying sharp. I've usually worked alone, but… well," he smiled faintly, glancing at the group, "seems I'm with you now."
The woman knelt gracefully, her whistle catching the sunlight as she lifted it in greeting. "I am Lysa, my Lord," she said, her voice calm and steady, carrying a subtle warmth.
"In my world, I've raised beasts from young, trained them, and taught them obedience. I can help you guide and strengthen creatures at your side." She straightened, meeting Karl's gaze with quiet confidence, a faint smile playing at her lips.
Karl nodded, his Breath of Spring sensing their vitalities—Renn's sharp, agile energy and Lysa's steady, beast-aligned power. A scout and a beast tamer. Perfect for scouting and managing threats.
"Welcome, Renn, Lysa," he said, softening his tone to ease their disorientation.
"This world, the Eternal Wilderness, doesn't care where you came from. It's alive, and most of it wants us dead. The Sanctuary is our base, but we've got a wolf pack circling—two Bronze II, two Bronze I—and something bigger out there, maybe boars or worse. We're low on time."
Renn's eyes narrowed, scanning the tree line. "Wolves? I've trapped worse. Point me at 'em, and I'll set something up."
His hand twitched toward his satchel, hinting at tools within.
Lysa touched her whistle, her eyes flicking to Thorn. "With the knowledge I have of beasts, I can turn wild creatures away… or lure them into traps," she began, her voice calm and measured.
"And with the barrier around us, it'll be even easier to guide them safely. If we capture them carefully, we could create a beast pen—raise and train them to fight at our side when the time comes." Her gaze softened, but her tone carried quiet determination.
Karl gestured to Grok and Thorn. "This is Grok, our warrior, and Thorn, our Vine Wolf. Ember, our Storm-feather Falcon, is scouting now. Mira's crafting a poison to slow the wolves. You'll meet her soon." He paused, studying their faces.
"You're not servants," he said firmly. "You're allies. We will face this together." He turned to the Sanctuary. "Let's get you settled. Mira's got a fire going, and we'll eat while we plan."
Back at the Sanctuary, Mira looked up from her poison paste, her hands stained dark. "New allies, my Lord?" she asked, her voice warm but cautious.
Karl introduced Renn and Lysa, explaining their roles. Mira nodded, offering a small smile.
"Welcome. I'm brewing a poison for the wolves with black berries and Sunfire pulp. It'll be strong enough to slow down them but will not be strong enough to kill them."
Renn grinned, pulling a small trap mechanism from his satchel—a tangle of vines and bone. "Poison's good they will make these traps more deadly. I can rig snares at the barrier's edge, maybe catch a wolf before they hit us."
While Renn demonstrated his abilities, how can Lysa stay behind.
Lysa kneeled beside Thorn and gently caressing his thick fur. Thorn's ears flicked, acknowledging her presence and the calm reassurance she offered.
"I can help Thorn and Ember," she said, her voice steady and confident. I can strengthen them by guiding them to master their skills, my Lord."
Karl's mind raced. Renn's traps and Lysa's beast taming could counter the wolves and other threats. He'd considered upgrading Thorn or Grok but chose summons for their diverse skills—Renn's snares and Lysa's ability to deter or enhance beasts offered immediate tactical advantages.
He glanced into his pouch—six Essence Crystals remained. Deciding to prioritize Thorn's growth, he handed them to the beast, knowing Thorn could assimilate their energy far faster than Grok.
Thorn immediately began consuming the crystals. It would take a little time—absorbing six at once wasn't instantaneous—but even so, his progress would outpace the others. With this, Thorn would be just one crystal shy of advancing to Bronze II.