A sharp rustle of wind broke his thoughts. Ember swooped from the treeline, landing on Karl's shoulder with a piercing chirp, her Storm Sense taut, feathers bristling. Her amber eyes flicked to the forest, a low screech vibrating with urgency. Karl stroked her emerald feathers gently,
"What did you find, Ember?"
Her screeches were sharp, rapid, but their meaning eluded him. Karl's brow furrowed, frustration rising—her urgency was clear, but the details were lost. He glanced at Thorn, the Vine Wolf's green eyes meeting his through their bond, a faint hum of connection sparking.
"Thorn, help me understand her," Karl murmured, his Breath of Spring tingling as he focused on their link.
Thorn's ears twitched, his gaze locking onto Ember. A low rumble rose from his throat, and through the bond, information flooded Karl's mind—Ember's aerial view of the forest, she has found a massive, sinuous shape a serpentine creature, over five meters long, coiled in a shadowed cave.
Its scales gleamed like polished obsidian, vitality pulsing stronger than Bronze II, likely Bronze III or higher. The cave's walls shimmered with clusters of faint green light—similar to Essence Crystals but denser, suggesting a higher quantity or quality.
Karl's pulse quickened. "An Essence Crystal mine," he muttered, gripping his bone-tipped spear. He turned to Renn, whose hawk-like eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Renn, you've tracked beasts before. Could this be a mine?"
Renn nodded, pulling a small bone tool from his satchel, his voice steady. "Likely, my Lord. Crystal mines are rare, but they're always guarded by stronger beasts—Bronze III at least, sometimes higher.
If Ember's right, that serpent's no ordinary predator. It's protecting something valuable." He paused, glancing at the treeline. "But a mine means crystals—dozens, maybe hundreds. Enough for building your Portal Node, maybe even for a Supply Depot."
Lysa's hand rested on her bone whistle, her green eyes calm but alert. "A beast like that… is territorial. If we approach, it'll fight to the death. But with my skills, I could try luring it away with essence-infused baits, give us a chance to scout the cave." She glanced at Thorn and Ember, her voice softening.
Karl's mind raced, weighing the risks. The wolf pack—two bronze II and two Bronze I—still circled beyond the barrier, their growls a constant threat. Now, a serpentine beast and a potential crystal mine added new stakes. but securing the mine could yield enough for the Portal Node (20 crystals), offering a long-term edge. Yet, the serpent's strength and the wolves' cunning demanded preparation.
He knelt beside Ember, caressing her feathers, his tone warm but firm. "You did good job, Ember. You've given us a chance." Her amber eyes gleamed, a soft chirp answering his praise as she nuzzled his hand.
He stood, turning to the group. "We've got two threats now—the wolves and this serpent like creature. The barrier falls in two days. We can't face both unprepared."
Mira looked up from her fire, her hands stained with dark poison paste. "The poison's nearly ready, my Lord. I can coat Renn's traps or our weapons with it. It'll slow the wolves, maybe even the serpent if it's vulnerable." Her voice was steady, but her eyes flicked nervously to the forest.
Renn grinned, pulling a vine-and-bone snare from his satchel. "I'll set traps around the barrier's edge which will be ready before night. If the wolves hit first, I will make them regret it. As for the serpent, we can lure it by Sunfire fruits or by using blood and meat. But we'll need to scout that cave to confirm the crystals as well strength of the beast."
Karl nodded and said, "Lysa, start working with Thorn and Ember. Get them ready for a coordinated strike. Thorn's one crystal away from becoming Bronze II—once he's there, he'll match the wolves' strength. Ember's Wind Slash can hit from above, but she needs precision."
Lysa dipped her head, her whistle glinting. "I'll train them to move as a unit, my Lord. Thorn's vines can pin, and Ember's gusts can disorient. Together, they could hold a bronze III beast long enough for us to act."
Karl turned to Grok, "Grok, you'll guard Renn while he sets traps around the barrier. Keep your eyes sharp—nothing sneaks up on him."
"We'll try lure and hunt for wolves at evening or as soon as we can. Then we will scout the cave and gather information about that serpentine beast. When times come Ember, you'll lead us there."
The group nodded, their resolve hardening. Mira handed out strips of deer meat, the group eating quietly as the forest's howls grew louder. Ember perched on his shoulder, her Storm Sense scanning the treeline, while Thorn's eyes glowed with renewed vigor, his body absorbing six Essence Crystals' energy. Karl's pouch held 25 Summoning Shards level 1, but no crystals remained hunting was now critical.
As night approaches, Renn was almost done setting his traps, weaving snares along the barrier's edge, their bone triggers glinting in the moonlight. Lysa knelt beside Thorn, her soft commands guiding his movements, sharpening his vine strikes.
Ember flitted above, practicing tight spirals under Lysa's guidance, her Wind Slash cutting cleaner with each pass. Mira stirred her poison, its glow casting eerie shadows across the Sanctuary's walls. While resting, Karl surveyed the boundary through the control panel, searching for any beasts he could prey upon.
Karl checked his stats, the strain of the day's decisions weighing on him:
Status Panel:
Name: Karl Varn
Lord Level: Bronze II (0/10)
Stats:
Strength: 10 (7)
Agility: 11 (8)
Vitality: 14 (9)
Intelligence: 9 (4)
Abilities: Breath of Spring
Skills: Herbal Resonance, Vital Touch
Resources: 0 Essence Crystals, 25 Summoning Shards level 1, Sunfire Fruit, Spirit Leaf, bones, deer meat (4-5 days), water
Barrier Timer: 1 day, 20 hours, 50 minutes
He ate a Sunfire Fruit, its honeyed warmth nudging his vitality up slightly:
Vitality: 14 (9 → 10)
As the group settled for the night, the forest's howls sharpened, the wolf pack's amber eyes glinting beyond the barrier. Somewhere deeper, the serpentine beast's presence loomed, guarding its cave of crystals. Karl gripped his spear, his mind resolute and filled with determination.
The Sanctuary's glow dimmed, the barrier's hum a faint whisper against the Wilderness's hunger. Time was running out, and the storm of teeth and scales was closing in.