The day had passed with deceptive slowness.
For them, it had felt like an eternity—marching, fighting, securing zones, snatching brief pauses before plunging back into dust and blood.
Finally, as evening fell, they chose a clearing they deemed safe enough to spend the night.
A large fire was built, its flames casting flickers of orange and black across their hollowed faces. The ordinary soldiers brought out the meat carved earlier from the carcasses of beasts slain during the day, organizing a quick and rudimentary cooking session.
Slightly apart, the Awakened had gathered together. They shared the recovered gems and took turns keeping watch, their gazes fixed on the shifting forest.
Maggie, finally freed from her helmet, let the cool night air glide over her face. She sat beside Elisa and Inès. All three had finished their absorption, and now it was their turn to stand guard.
Elisa rose in one fluid motion, her spear pivoting naturally in her palm like an extension of her arm.
