As the fire burned low and the last echoes of laughter faded into quiet murmurs, one by one, the group drifted toward their resting places. The night air grew cooler, the warmth of the bonfire lingering only in glowing embers.
Karl remained seated a little longer, his cup forgotten at his side. His mind turned, not to stories or rival lords, but to numbers. Today's hunt had been fruitful—five Bronze I crystals from the wolves, two Bronze II, and the gleaming Bronze III from the Dire Wolf.
Later hunts had added five Bronze I and two Bronze II from the Forestfang Lynxes and Spineshell Lizardbeasts. The total was substantial—but how to use them wisely?
He thought first of Ember. His first companion, swift and sharp, had saved lives more than once today. Already nearing Bronze III, she had absorbed five Bronze II crystals; and four additional crystals would push her closer to the next stage.
Then Korath—the calf whose strength had surprised them all. A flower to sharpen agility and coordination could transform raw power into battlefield utility, but Karl reminded himself that this was a newborn beast, inexperienced.
Its benefit in combat was limited for now, though the potential was immense.
Grok, Dren, Tarran, and the other fighters each had defined roles, and the non-combatants also crossed his mind. Perhaps Liora could benefit, not in battle, but in speed and efficiency, aiding the Sanctuary in ways beyond brute force.
Finally, Karl exhaled, the decision weighing heavily but forming clearly in his mind. Grok would be perfect for advancement next. As for the Bronze III crystal, he recalled the rules of crystal absorption: higher-level crystals often carried energy densities beyond the host's capacity. Attempting to absorb it now would be wasteful—or worse, disastrous.
With these thoughts, he moved to distribute the crystals and the Brightstem Flowers. Grok received his first, eyes widening as Karl handed him ten essence crystals Bronze I, instructing him to advance to Bronze II.
Korath came next, receiving the Brightstem Flower. The young rhino hesitated for a heartbeat, then nuzzled Karl's hand as the petals dissolved. Energy coursed through his muscles; his previously clumsy steps became smoother, quicker, and more coordinated.
Karl watched them, a faint smile crossing his face. One by one, the enhancements settled in, and the Sanctuary's strength—not just in combat, but in potential—had grown appreciably.
He then climbed to his treehouse; quietly caressing Ember perched in her nest on the balcony. After handing her four bronze II crystals and a Brightstem Flower, he watched as she happily consumed them, feathers fluttering slightly with renewed energy.
Finally, Karl climbed back into his bed. He picked one of the Brightstem Flowers for himself. Carefully, he put the golden-green petals on his tongue. They melted instantly, turning into a warm, sparkling energy that flowed through his whole body.
A surge shot through his limbs—reflexes sharpened; muscles tightened with newfound speed. His status panel blinked to life, displaying the transformation:
[Status Panel]
Name: Karl Varn
Lord Level: Bronze II [0/10]
Stats:
Strength: 10
Agility: 17 (+6)
Vitality: 16 (+2)
Intelligence: 9
The numbers shined gently in the moonlight. Karl could feel the difference in every movement—his steps were lighter, his mind clearer, and even his body felt stronger.
He leaned back, sinking into the soft bed, letting his body rest for the first time in a long while. Moonlight spilled through the treehouse window, making gentle patterns on the floor and walls.
He felt tired, but it was a good kind of tired—the kind that comes after a long, hard day of work and adventure.
Outside, the bonfire flickered, sending tiny dancing shadows across the Sanctuary. Karl let out a long, slow breath, feeling all the stress from the day slowly melt away. Thoughts about hunts, battles, and the crystals drifted at the edges of his mind, but he didn't chase them—he let them float away.
All that was left was the warm feeling of finishing the day and being safe inside the Sanctuary.
His eyes grew heavy. A soft calm settled over him. Every heartbeat, every gentle breath, pulled him closer to sleep. The night wrapped around him like a warm, cozy blanket.
Finally, Karl let himself relax completely and let himself surrender to sleep.
Karl woke up as the first light of morning spilled into the Sanctuary. The soft glow made the treehouse feel warm and safe. His body still felt the power of the Brightstem Flower—he moved faster, thought quicker, and everything felt lighter. For a moment, he felt proud and happy.
But then, a thought tugged at Karl's mind. He remembered what Sylus had said the night before. The rival lord was already stronger than them. His summons were many and powerful. And if they cleared the nearby beast lair, they would only grow even stronger.
A tiny knot of worry tightened in Karl's chest. The danger was real. They couldn't relax forever. They had to stay alert and had to be careful.
Karl rose from his bed, his jaw tight. We can't wait, he thought. If they grow stronger, we won't survive a head-on fight.
When the group gathered for the morning meal, Karl spoke clearly, so no one could mistake his meaning."We need more strength," he said. "And soon. The only way forward… is to take risks."
Drael frowned. "You mean… the cave?"
"Yes. The Serpentile Cave," Karl said, his tone low but firm. "There is a Bronze III serpent guarding a vein of crystals, we have scouted it before. If we can take it… it may give us the power we need to survive."
The clearing fell into silence. Grok's brow darkened. Renn shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Even Ember's wings ruffled as if sensing the danger in his words.
Renn shook his head, his voice low. "If that serpent is stronger than the Dire Wolf… going after it is suicide."
Karl's eyes hardened. He looked around at everyone before speaking.
"No," he said firmly. "Not suicide. It's Necessity.
He let the word sink in before continuing.
"If we sit here and do nothing, the rival lord will grow stronger. And when he turns his eyes toward us… he will crush us. Karl's voice dropped, steady and sharp. This cave… this fight… is our only chance to close the gap."
The talk stretched on. Voices rose—some filled with fear, some with doubt, others with stubbornness. But slowly, one by one, the noise faded. Each person met Karl's eyes, and in their silence, the truth was clear. Waiting meant death.
At last, Drael broke the quiet. He gave a firm nod. "Then we go," he said. "Better to risk everything for strength than to sit here and waste away waiting."
Karl drew in a long breath, then let it out slowly. His voice was steady.
"Good. Get your weapons ready. We leave within the hour."
The choice was made. Their path now led to the Serpentile Cave— and to the Bronze III serpent waiting in its depths. They didn't waste a moment.
Weapons were checked, bags tightened. Above them, Ember spread her wings and rose into the air, her sharp cry ringing out across the morning sky.