The Forest of Twin Disasters was quiet again.
But quiet in the way a battlefield becomes after something stronger has passed through it—when even the predators hesitate to move too loudly, as if afraid of drawing attention.
Damien stood atop a jagged outcrop overlooking a stretch of dense woodland below, his eyes half-lidded as he observed the forest.
To anyone else, it would look ordinary.
To him though, it was loud.
Every shift of leaves. Every disturbance in mana. Every misplaced step across the forest floor.
And right now there was something new.
He exhaled slowly. "…Finally."
Behind him, Cerbe rested with its three heads low but alert, black flames flickering faintly along its fur and sides of its six eyes.
Aquila circled high above, maintaining a wide surveillance radius, while Luton hovered quietly nearby, its surface rippling with subdued energy.
Fenrir stood completely still and silent beside Damien. But its ears had already twitched.
It felt it too.
