The warning struck Aurora like a bucket of ice water. The faint excitement she had been feeling only moments earlier vanished instantly as Navi's voice filled her head.
[Warning. Unusual demon beast activity detected at the base of the mountain.]
Aurora's fingers tightened around the edge of the stone table.
[Estimated number of demon beasts: Two hundred and Twenty-One.]
Her entire demeanor changed. The relaxed woman who had been smiling over the thought of planting trees disappeared, replaced by the cold, alert persona of someone accustomed to danger. Her back straightened, her eyes sharpened, and every trace of warmth disappeared from her expression.
The sudden change was so dramatic that the disciples immediately noticed it.
Briana was the first to speak. "Master? What happened?"
Aurora looked toward the valley entrance before answering. "Demon beasts."
The words were enough to make several disciples exchange uneasy glances.
