Descending from the plateau, the forest swallowed us once more, its oppressive silence thicker than before. Every rustle of leaves, every faint chirp of unseen wildlife, felt magnified. The obelisk's signal had changed something, not just in the atmosphere but in us. We moved with heightened caution, every step deliberate.
Raijuu led the way, his posture tense and his ears flicking toward faint noises in the underbrush. Kijin followed closely, her sharp gaze darting between the gnarled roots and tangled vines that lined the narrow path. She wasn't speaking, which was unusual. Her quiet focus said more about the gravity of our situation than any sarcastic quip ever could.
The chat mirrored the tension in the group, their usual banter interspersed with real concern:
: That signal definitely did something. The forest feels... different.
: Anyone else notice how quiet Kijin is? That's not a good sign.
