The sun had dipped behind the cliffs by the time we reached the river. Its water shimmered faintly blue, reflecting the crystals scattered through the Highland soil. On the opposite bank, the dark outline of the ancient ruins loomed—arches half-buried, runes pulsing in slow rhythm.
> [Safe Zone Detected: Riverbank of Aural Flow]
[Mana Interference: Low]
"Perfect spot to rest," I said, dropping my pack. "And hopefully, not haunted."
Fenris Warden circled once and lay down, eyes fixed on the ruins. "Those stones hum. Something sleeps inside."
Lumina floated closer to the water. "Maybe it's dreaming of dinner."
I laughed quietly and crouched at the river's edge. Beneath the surface, silver-striped fish drifted lazily. Their scales shimmered like liquid moonlight.
> [Ingredient Found: Lunarfin Trout — rare aquatic species; mild taste, high mana retention]
"Well, look at that," I murmured. "Dinner just volunteered."
I summoned a small net from the Item Box, caught two trout, and cleaned them on a flat stone. Their flesh glowed faintly even out of the water. I seasoned them with crushed Auralis petals and Highland salt, then set them over the portable stove.
When the oil hissed, the scent rolled out—light, sharp, with a trace of sweetness from the petals. Lumina sat nearby, wings flickering like candles. "It smells gentle," she said.
Fenris's tail tapped the ground. "Gentle or not, hurry."
> [Cooking Progress: 90 % — Mana Flavor Stabilized]
I flipped the fish, letting the skin crisp. Steam drifted upward, glowing softly in the blue light of the river. The sound of running water and crackling fire blended into a rhythm that made the world feel quiet.
We ate together beneath the first stars. The meat flaked perfectly, clean and rich, leaving a cool aftertaste that spread through my chest.
> [Dish Created: Glazed Lunarfin Trout]
[Buff: Mana Recovery +6 %, Calm Mind — Active for 30 min]
Fenris gave a rare, contented grunt. "This calm… it's strange."
"Peaceful," Lumina corrected. "We don't get much of it."
"Then we take it while it lasts," I said, leaning back on my pack.
Across the river, one of the ruin's runes flared briefly, casting ripples of light across the surface. The current shifted, whispering around the stones like a voice just out of reach.
> [Hidden Quest Updated: Echo of the Forgotten Feast — Ruin Activity Detected]
I sighed. "So much for a quiet night."
Lumina smiled faintly. "At least you got to eat first."
We banked the fire low. Fenris kept watch, eyes glinting in the dark. The ruins pulsed once more, faint and steady, as the river carried the reflection of our campfire downstream—three small sparks resting beneath a sleeping giant.
Tomorrow, we'd cross the water and see what the ruins were hiding.