The battle was over, the alpha wolf's body lying motionless at my feet. Its dark, oppressive aura had faded, and the forest had returned to its natural, eerie stillness. I sheathed my sword and wiped the sweat from my brow, catching my breath as the adrenaline began to wear off. Stern was a few paces behind me, silent, his arms crossed as he surveyed the battlefield.
"Glad that's over," I said, grinning as I crouched down near the alpha wolf's body. "But something about this doesn't sit right with me."
Stern raised an eyebrow, approaching slowly, his usual air of arrogance still present but tempered now with a hint of curiosity. "You're just now figuring that out? I told you from the start—something was off with these wolves."
I ignored the jab, my attention drawn to the lead wolf's neck. There, nestled in the thick fur, was something strange—something out of place. I carefully moved the fur aside and my eyes widened as I uncovered a collar. It was made of dark leather, and at its center was an ominous-looking red gem, pulsating faintly as if it still had some residual energy.
"Well, look at this," I muttered, pulling the collar free from the wolf's neck. "No wonder that thing was acting crazy."
Stern leaned in, his sharp purple eyes narrowing as he inspected the collar. "A cursed artifact," he said, his tone serious. "It must have been used to control the wolf. Whoever put this on it wanted to use the alpha to command the entire pack."
I turned the collar over in my hands, feeling a shiver run down my spine as I examined the red gem more closely. There was something deeply unsettling about it, like the thing was still watching us, waiting for a chance to lash out. "This is bad news," I said. "If someone out there is making stuff like this, they could control a whole army of monsters."
Stern's face darkened, his prideful expression shifting to something more thoughtful. "Yes, it's… troubling. This kind of magic is rare. Whoever's behind this isn't just some petty rogue mage. This takes skill—and intent." He straightened up, folding his arms again, his usual cocky air back in full force. "We need to take this to the Adventurers' Guild. They'll want to investigate it."
I nodded in agreement, carefully slipping the collar into my pouch. "Right. The Guild will know what to do. Maybe we'll get a reward for finding this thing."
Stern let out a dry laugh. "Always thinking about gold, aren't you? Typical. But you're right. If this collar is as dangerous as it looks, we'll definitely get something for it."
I flashed him a grin, adjusting my pack as I stood up. "What can I say? I'm practical. But we should also grab some of these wolf fangs and claws while we're at it. They could fetch a nice price back in town—or be useful for crafting weapons."
Stern didn't argue, though I could tell he found the idea of scavenging beneath him. Still, he crouched down and began collecting a few of the larger fangs, his expression betraying only mild distaste. I knelt beside him, eagerly pulling out a few claws and tossing them into my bag.
As we worked in silence for a few minutes, the weight of the situation started to settle in. Whoever was behind this attack wasn't just experimenting—they were organized, powerful, and had a plan. That much was clear. I couldn't help but wonder if this was just the beginning. But I pushed the thought aside for now. We'd figure it out when we got back to the Guild.
After gathering what we needed, we moved to a small clearing a short distance away to rest for a bit before heading back to town. I plopped down on the ground with a sigh of relief, stretching out my legs as I leaned back against a tree.
"Not bad for a day's work, huh?" I said, grinning over at Stern. "We took down an alpha wolf, uncovered some shady plot involving cursed artifacts, and we're heading back with valuable loot. Feels like a win to me."
Stern was sitting a few feet away, his staff resting beside him. He looked over at me with a smirk, though his usual arrogance was softened now by something more genuine. "I suppose you're not as useless as I thought," he admitted, though his tone was still dripping with his usual pride. "You handled yourself well back there."
I chuckled, crossing my arms behind my head as I leaned back. "You're not so bad yourself, Stern. That last fireball you threw? Impressive. Looks like you're finally starting to trust me."
Stern rolled his eyes but didn't deny it. "Don't let it get to your head. I'm just practical—if I didn't trust you, I'd have to do all the work myself, and I don't have time for that."
I laughed at that, the sound echoing through the clearing. "Right, right. Well, whether you admit it or not, we're a good team. And something tells me we're going to need to keep working together if this is just the start."
Stern's expression grew serious again, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the distant horizon. "You're not wrong. Whoever created that collar… they're not going to stop with just one pack of wolves."
I followed his gaze, my own thoughts turning grim. "Yeah… we'll figure it out. One step at a time."
We sat in silence for a while after that, the tension from the battle slowly fading as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Eventually, we stood, dusted ourselves off, and prepared to head back to Silverwood.
"Ready to go?" I asked, slinging my pack over my shoulder.
Stern nodded, his usual haughty demeanor back in place as he adjusted his robes. "Let's get this over with. I'm eager to see how the Guild reacts to our findings."
I flashed him another grin, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as we set off down the forest path. "Bet they'll be impressed. After all, we just saved the town from a pack of bloodthirsty wolves. We're basically heroes now."
Stern snorted. "Please. You're not a hero yet. You're just a lucky fool who happens to have me backing you up."
I laughed, shaking my head as we walked. "Whatever you say, Stern. But you'll see. This is just the beginning."
As we made our way back to Silverwood, the Collar resting in my pouch, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the brink of something much bigger. The wolves had been controlled—used as pawns in some dark plan. And whoever was behind it wasn't finished.
But neither were we.
The walk back from Silver Forest was long but satisfying. My mind kept drifting back to the battle, the adrenaline still buzzing faintly in my veins. I couldn't shake the image of the Collar, the dark red gem at its center. It pulsed with sinister energy, like it had a life of its own, even now. Stern and I barely spoke during the journey back to town, both lost in thought. The weight of our discovery hung in the air between us.
As the town gates came into view, the familiar bustling streets of Silverwood stretched out before us. It was already afternoon, and the shadows of the buildings cast long lines across the cobblestone roads. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as we approached the Adventurers' Guild. The building stood tall, its wooden sign swinging gently in the breeze.
"Finally," I said, stretching my arms above my head as we walked up to the entrance. "I could use a drink after all that."
Stern scoffed but didn't bother with one of his usual smug remarks. He was too focused, his eyes narrowed in thought. He'd been quieter than usual ever since we found the collar.
We pushed open the doors to the Adventurers' Guild, stepping into the familiar warmth of the hall. Adventurers of all kinds were scattered about—some lounging at tables, others talking in low voices about their latest quests. But as soon as we entered, May, the young attendant, spotted us and hurried over.
Her friendly face lit up with relief, though there was still a trace of worry in her eyes. "You're back!" she said, her voice warm but tinged with concern. "I've been so worried about you two. You took on a Rank E quest... that's no small feat."
I gave her my usual grin, full of charm and confidence. "You worry too much, May. We handled it. The wolves are no problem now, but we found something that might explain all the recent attacks."
May's expression shifted to curiosity as I reached into my pouch and pulled out the Collar. The red gem glimmered ominously in the guild's light. Her eyes widened as she took a cautious step back, clearly unsettled by the sight of it.
"Is that...?" she started, but her voice trailed off, unsure how to even describe what she was looking at.
"Cursed artifact," Stern said matter-of-factly, crossing his arms and giving her a proud but serious look. "We found it attached to an alpha wolf in Silver Forest. The whole pack was under its control."
May gasped, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. "An alpha wolf? Those are Rank E monsters! And you both... managed to defeat it?"
"Yeah, but that's not the half of it," I added, stepping forward. "The whole pack was going crazy. Every wolf had this dark aura around them—like they were possessed. They fought like beasts much stronger than usual. If I had to guess, they were all at Rank E by the time we faced them."
I could see the disbelief in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by awe. She stared at the collar, her brow furrowed in concern. "This... this is serious. If someone's using cursed artifacts to control monsters, that could explain the rising wolf attacks in the area."
Stern nodded, his tone still sharp but less dismissive than usual. "Exactly. The alpha was leading the pack under the influence of this collar. Whoever created it has some serious magic, and we don't know what else they might be controlling."
May was quiet for a moment, processing everything we had said. Her usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by something more somber. "You did well to bring this back," she said softly, looking between the two of us. "The guild will need to investigate this immediately."
She gently reached out, taking the collar from me with a careful hand, as if it might lash out at her. "I'll make sure this gets to the right people. The Guildmasters will want to know about this."
I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility lift slightly from my shoulders. "Good. We need answers."
May's worry softened into a small smile as she looked at both of us. "And you two... taking down a whole pack of Rank E monsters, that's incredible. I'm glad you're both safe."
"Of course we are," I said with a laugh, flashing her a wink. "What kind of hero would I be if I couldn't handle a few wolves?"
Stern rolled his eyes, but there was a slight smirk on his face. "Don't let him fool you. I had to carry the battle—he just provided the entertainment."
I chuckled, playfully punching Stern on the shoulder. "Oh, please. You saw me out there—dodging claws, parrying strikes. I'm basically invincible."
May giggled, her usual warmth returning as she shook her head at our banter. "Well, whatever happened, I'm impressed. And the guild will be, too." She gestured to the counter. "I've already prepared your rewards for completing the quest."
As May handed us our rewards, she smiled and added, "The guild is also offering you something special for your performance on this quest—a rare-grade item of your choice."
Stern and I exchanged a quick glance, our interest piqued. She gestured to a small selection of rare weapons and magical items behind the counter.
I immediately spotted a sleek dagger with a curved blade and grinned. "I'll take the dagger," I said, feeling its perfect balance as I held it.
Stern, not one to be outdone, chose a finely crafted staff with glowing runes etched along its surface. "This will do," he said, inspecting it closely.
May handed us our chosen items with a proud smile. "These should help you both in your future quests. Use them wisely."
I twirled the dagger in my hand, admiring its craftsmanship. The blade was sleek, sharp, and perfectly balanced, reflecting the afternoon light as I tested its weight. "This will do nicely," I said with a grin, feeling a rush of excitement. It wasn't just any dagger—this was a rare-grade weapon, the kind of thing adventurers dreamed of earning.
Stern stood beside me, inspecting his new staff with a satisfied expression. The wooden staff had intricate runes etched into it, glowing faintly with magical energy. "It's about time I had a proper focus for my spells," he said, his voice full of pride.
May, standing at the counter with a smile, was clearly pleased with our choices. "You both deserve it after the fight you had. Rare-grade items are hard to come by, but you've earned them."
I flipped the dagger once more, letting it rest comfortably in my hand. "Oh, I'll definitely put this to good use," I said, winking at May. "This is going to make me even more unstoppable."
Stern snorted, though there was no malice in it this time. "You're already hard to deal with, and now you have a new toy."
I chuckled, sheathing the dagger at my side. "And you're any better with that staff? Don't pretend you're not excited's excited to show off your fancy new spells."
He gave a slight smirk, a rare break from his usual arrogance. "Let's just say it'll be a lot easier keeping up with you now."
May, still smiling warmly, handed us our final rewards: a pouche of 200 silver coins and a normal grade health and mana potions. "Just be careful out there, both of you," she said, her voice softer now. "This is for your work, and for bringing this cursed artifact to our attention. The guild will be on high alert now."
I held up the pouch, feeling the weight of the coins with satisfaction. "Not bad," I said, grinning. "This'll cover a few good meals and maybe some upgrades for my gear."
Stern pocketed his rewards without much fanfare, his mind clearly elsewhere. "The collar is more important. We need to find out who's behind this before more monsters are turned into killing machines."
I clapped a hand on his shoulder, still riding the high from our victory. "One step at a time, Stern. We did good today. Let's not forget that."
May gave us both a grateful smile, though the concern never fully left her eyes. "Thank you again. I'll make sure the guild investigates this right away. Please, get some rest."
"Don't worry," I said with a wink. "We'll be ready for whatever comes next."
Stern gave her a nod, his usual arrogance tempered by the weight of the situation. "We'll stay in town for now. If the guild needs us, you know where to find us."
With that, we turned to leave, heading toward the guild's exit. As the door swung shut behind us, I felt a new sense of determination burning inside me. The cursed artifact, the rising wolf attacks—this was just the beginning. And no matter what came next, I knew we could face it head-on.
As we walked through the fading light of the afternoon, Stern glanced over at me, his voice uncharacteristically calm. "You really do think you're invincible, don't you?"
I grinned, giving him a sidelong glance. "I have to believe it. How else am I going to become the greatest adventurer?"
Stern shook his head, though there was a faint smile on his face. "You're an idiot."
"Maybe. But I'm a fearless one," I said, chuckling as we continued down the road.
In the depths of the Silver Forest, where the aftermath of Held and Stern's battle with the alpha wolf and its pack still lingered, the trees whispered with an unnatural chill. A figure cloaked in shadow emerged from behind the thick underbrush. Cloaked in a dark, hooded robe, the figure moved with deliberate silence, stepping into the clearing where the battle had unfolded just hours before. His face was hidden beneath the folds of his hood, but a sense of calculated awareness emanated from him.
Standing alone amidst the carnage, the figure surveyed the scene—blood-stained grass, the scattered remnants of the wolf pack, and the faint magical residue left behind by the battle. A smile, cold and subtle, curled on his lips. "This is getting interesting," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper in the wind.
Without another word, he vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving no trace but the unsettling feeling that something far darker was now in motion. The forest was silent once more, save for the rustling of leaves and the distant cry of a bird.
---
Back in Silverwood, Stern and I found ourselves with a free afternoon after completing our quest. It felt strange to have time to relax after the chaos of the day, but the loot we had collected—wolf fangs and claws—beckoned to be dealt with. I suggested we head to Grom's shop, Silverforge, to see what we could get for the items. Stern, always pragmatic, agreed.
Silverforge was the premier weaponsmith shop in town, run by Grom, a dwarf known for his no-nonsense approach to both business and life. As we approached the shop, the familiar clanging of metal filled the air. Grom was in the midst of hammering a sword when we entered, his powerful arms glistening with sweat under the flickering light of the forge.
The moment we stepped in, Grom's sharp eyes glanced up from his work. His thick brown beard was flecked with ash, and his weathered face, though stern, brightened slightly at the sight of familiar customers.
"Well, look who's here," Grom rumbled, his voice gravelly but warm. "Held, lad, and—Stern, was it? Haven't seen you in a while." He eyed Stern with mild surprise. "Last time you came in, you were just a fledgling mage."
Stern, his usual cocky grin present but softened, crossed his arms over his chest. "Been busy since then, Grom," he said, with a tone that was more prideful than boastful. "We just finished taking down a pack of wolves."
I chuckled, stepping forward. "And we've got the loot to prove it." I held up a small pouch containing the wolf fangs and claws we had gathered. "These should fetch a decent price, right?"
Grom's eyes lit up with interest. "Wolves, eh? Not bad, not bad at all. Fangs and claws like these can be used for all sorts of things—reinforcing weapons, crafting accessories. Decent haul." He took the pouch from me, inspecting the contents with a practiced eye.
I added with a grin, "And I've got some beesneap shells from yesterday's quest too. Figured I'd sell everything off while I'm here."
The dwarf nodded approvingly as he glanced over the shells. "Good thinking. Beesneap shells are always in demand for armor reinforcement."
As Grom weighed the value of our spoils, his eyes flicked down to my side, where my new dagger gleamed. "Speaking of spoils," he muttered, "that's a rare dagger you've got there. Where'd you get your hands on that?"
Proudly, I unsheathed the blade, feeling the smooth weight of the weapon in my hand. "Picked it up as a reward from the guild after completing a different quest. I'll be sticking with it for now."
Stern, not to be left out, raised his staff. "Same here. Rare-grade staff, courtesy of the guild. A little something extra for our hard work."
Grom let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Well, I'll be damned. You two have been doing more than just chasing wolves, I see. Gear like that doesn't just fall into your lap—you must've earned it."
I shrugged with a smile. "We do what we can."
The dwarf's gaze returned to the loot as I remembered something. "Oh, and I've got my old dagger to sell, too," I said, pulling out the well-worn weapon that had served me faithfully on past adventures. "No need to keep it now that I've got this beauty."
Stern, echoing my thought, placed his old staff on the counter. "Same goes for this. The new staff does the job a lot better."
Grom picked up the old weapons, inspecting them with his usual thoroughness. "Solid gear," he muttered. "A bit worn, but still useful. I'll take 'em off your hands."
He handed us each a small pouch of coins, the clink of the gold a welcome sound. "Not a fortune," he said with a grin, "but a fair price for what you've brought me."
I nodded, satisfied. "Appreciate it, Grom."
Grom leaned back against the counter. "Sounds like you've been keeping busy. Good to see you two climbing the ranks."
"Yeah, we've been working hard," I said, feeling the weight of the new coin pouch. "Just glad to have some downtime."
Stern nodded in agreement. "And with these new weapons, we're ready for whatever comes next."
We exchanged a few more pleasantries with Grom before heading out of the shop. The sun was still high in the sky, and for the first time in days, it felt like we could relax, even if just for a little while.
After leaving Silverforge, Stern and I decided to take a stroll around Silverwood. The day was still young, and for once, it felt like we had time to slow down and enjoy the town. It wasn't often that we could just roam without a mission hanging over our heads or a beast to slay.
The streets of Silverwood bustled with activity as usual. The local market was alive with the sounds of merchants shouting about their goods, children playing, and townsfolk going about their day. As we wandered, I found myself observing the little things—the small interactions, the quiet struggles, the way life unfolded around us.
As we passed an alleyway, my eyes caught sight of an elderly woman standing at the edge of the street, looking uncertain. She held a basket filled with fresh produce and seemed hesitant to cross with the flow of carriages and people bustling past her. Without a second thought, I walked over to her.
"Here, ma'am, let me help you across," I said with a warm smile, offering my arm to support her.
The old woman looked up, her eyes crinkling with gratitude. "Oh, thank you, young man," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "These old bones aren't what they used to be."
"No problem at all." I gently guided her through the crowd, ensuring she made it to the other side safely. As I helped her, I couldn't help but feel that familiar sense of satisfaction—small acts of kindness always made me feel like I was doing something meaningful, even if it was just a simple gesture.
When we reached the other side, she smiled up at me again, her face soft with appreciation. "You've got a kind heart, young one. Thank you."
"Anytime," I replied, giving her a nod as she continued on her way. Turning back, I saw Stern watching me with his arms crossed, a quizzical expression on his face.
"You know, you didn't have to do that," Stern commented, raising an eyebrow. His usual arrogant tone was still there, but I could sense a bit of curiosity behind his words.
I shrugged, grinning at him. "It's just who I am, I guess. Sometimes, helping out where I can makes a difference. Even if it's something small."
Stern said nothing, but I noticed the slight furrow of his brow, as if he were turning the thought over in his head. We kept walking, and before long, we passed by the river canal where a group of children were playing.
Suddenly, I heard a distressed cry from one of the boys. His wooden toy boat had slipped from his hands and fallen into the rushing water, quickly floating away. The boy, no older than six, stood at the edge of the canal, his small face scrunched up in despair.
Without thinking twice, I ran over. The current wasn't too strong, but the toy was drifting farther and farther. I spotted a stick nearby and quickly grabbed it, leaning over the edge of the canal to fish the boat out before it could be swept out of reach.
With a little effort, I snagged the boat and lifted it back up, handing it over to the boy with a smile. "Here you go, little man. No need to worry, your boat's safe and sound."
The boy's face lit up with pure joy as he took the boat from me. "Thank you, mister!" he exclaimed, clutching the toy tightly to his chest.
"Take care of it, okay?" I said with a wink before ruffling the boy's hair. He nodded enthusiastically before running off to rejoin his friends.
As I turned back, I saw Stern standing there, arms still crossed but with a different look in his eyes. He wasn't just watching me anymore—he was studying me.
"You really are something, Held," he muttered, more to himself than to me. His voice had lost some of its usual arrogance, replaced by something softer. "You don't get anything out of this. Why do it?"
I looked at him, sensing the genuine curiosity in his question. "I don't need something in return to help people," I said simply. "This is just... who I am. I can't stand by and do nothing when I know I can make things a little better, even in small ways."
Stern didn't respond right away. Instead, he uncrossed his arms and walked beside me in silence for a few moments, as if he were processing my words. I could tell that, despite his prideful nature, he was starting to see me differently.
As we continued down the road, we came across something more troubling. A small crowd had gathered, and in the center of it was a young beastkin girl—fur soft and ears drooping in distress. She was being teased and bullied by a few older boys, their taunts cruel and cutting.
"Freak! Why don't you go back to where you belong?" one of them sneered, shoving her to the ground.
I felt a surge of anger flare up inside me. Without a word, I pushed through the crowd and stepped between the girl and her tormentors.
"That's enough," I said, my voice calm but firm, staring the bullies down. My body tensed, ready for a fight if it came to that. "You've got a problem, you can take it up with me."
The boys faltered under my gaze, clearly surprised by my intervention. For a moment, I thought they might try something, but after a few tense seconds, they backed off, muttering to themselves as they walked away.
I knelt down beside the young beastkin girl, offering her my hand. "You alright?"
Her large eyes, filled with tears, blinked up at me before she hesitantly took my hand and stood up. "Th-thank you…" she whispered, wiping her face.
I smiled gently at her. "Don't let them get to you. You're stronger than they are. And different doesn't mean bad—it means special."
She nodded, her ears perking up slightly as she gave me a small but grateful smile. "Thank you, mister."
"Anytime," I said, standing up as she ran off to safety.
Stern, who had been watching the entire exchange in silence, finally spoke. "You really don't let anything slide, do you?"
I glanced over at him, catching the faintest hint of admiration in his voice. "I just do what feels right," I said with a shrug. "Sometimes, standing up for people is all they need."
Stern let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You're... something else, Held. Really."
I laughed, patting him on the back. "You're not so bad yourself, Stern."
For the first time in a while, Stern didn't respond with a cocky retort. Instead, he just smiled—an honest, genuine smile that I hadn't seen from him before.
And as we continued walking through the town, a small commotion caught our attention. A young man, looking frantic, was pacing back and forth. A small crowd had gathered around him, clearly concerned.
Curiosity got the better of us, and we approached the scene. The man was muttering, his voice tight with panic. "My cat… she's stuck up there, and I can't get her down!" He pointed up toward a large tree, and sure enough, a fluffy cat was stranded on a high branch, meowing pitifully.
Before I could say anything, Stern stepped forward, surprising me. He usually left this sort of thing to me, but today, he was different.
"I'll handle this," he said, his voice filled with its usual pride. He straightened his posture, holding his staff with purpose as he studied the situation.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The crowd watched closely as Stern approached the tree, standing at its base with a focused expression. He placed his hand on his staff and, after a moment of quiet concentration, he began to chant.
"**Spirits of air, swift and free, grant me wings to soar and see,**" Stern said, his voice deep and commanding, resonating with magical energy. The air around us seemed to hum in response.
With a confident flick of his staff, he followed up with the command: "**Levitation!**"
The air shimmered around the cat, and the invisible force gently lifted the little creature from the high branch. The cat floated gracefully, its wide eyes calm, as Stern guided it down with expert precision. The crowd gasped in awe, watching the cat hover closer to the ground.
Stern's mana control was flawless. The cat touched down softly into the arms of its grateful owner. The man let out a sigh of relief, cradling his pet as though it were the most precious thing in the world.
"Thank you so much! I didn't know what I was going to do if she stayed up there," the young man said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Stern waved off the praise, a hint of a smirk forming on his lips. "It was nothing. Just a simple spell," he said, though I could tell by the glint in his eyes that he was proud of his work.
I clapped him on the shoulder with a laugh. "Nice job, Stern. You really saved the day this time."
He rolled his eyes but didn't pull away. "Yeah, yeah. Someone had to do it," he muttered, though there was less arrogance in his tone than usual.
I leaned closer, grinning. "You didn't have to, though. Remember what you said earlier—about doing things without expecting anything in return?"
Stern gave me a sidelong glance, then sighed. "You're rubbing off on me, Held. But don't get used to it."
I chuckled. "Too late for that."
As we walked away from the scene, I could sense a shift between us. Stern had made the choice to step in on his own, not out of pride or for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. Maybe he was starting to see things the way I did.
Stern was still Stern—prideful, confident, and a bit arrogant—but now, there was something more. A growing sense of camaraderie, a realization that helping others could feel just as rewarding as mastering a powerful spell.
As the day wound down, Stern and I headed to the Silver Leaf Tavern for dinner. The food was hearty, and the atmosphere lively with adventurers. Over our meal, Stern admitted, "Helping people wasn't so bad after all."
I smiled. "Told you."
Afterward, we returned to the Silverwood Lodge, where May had our rooms ready. Tired from the day, we went up to rest. Lying in bed, I felt at peace, knowing tomorrow would bring new challenges. For now, though, I closed my eyes and let sleep take over.