The past few days had been intense for the group. Between exploring the forest and surviving its hardships, they spent much of their time working to charge the crystals embedded within them. Over time, they noticed something peculiar: injuries seemed to accelerate the process of connecting with the crystal. As their bodies healed, the energy flowed more easily, as if the crystal responded to regeneration.
However, this discovery came with an obvious risk. Kaldor was blunt in his warnings: "Even if the wounds heal, the more severe the injury, the longer it will take to recover. And in this world, being injured is as good as having one foot in the grave."
Brana reflected on this as he watched Luma playing with a stick near the campfire. The idea of using injuries to speed up the crystal's charge unsettled him deeply, and he wouldn't even consider letting Luma try anything similar. "She's just a child," he thought, clenching his fists. But at the same time, the need to adapt and survive in this brutal world cast a shadow of doubt in his mind. What if, in the future, this practice became inevitable for her too?
"No," he murmured to himself, shaking off the thought. He would protect Luma at all costs, even if it meant shouldering more of the burden himself.
Besides, Brana had some ideas for testing his ability, the Bard's Blessing. Its full potential was still a mystery, but he was determined to explore its possibilities. That, however, would have to wait. For now, the focus was on finding a base and ensuring they had a safe shelter.
After six days of arduous exploration, the group found a crystalline stream winding through the forest. The water flowed calmly, reflecting the peculiar light of Enkaryon's sun and its ever-visible three moons. It was a comforting sight, but the tranquility of the place did not fool Kaldor.
He knelt by the water's edge, inspecting it carefully before dipping his hands in. After a few moments, he took a sip and nodded. "It's safe," he said in a dry but relieved tone.
Brana and Luma approached, gazing at the water with the same mix of fascination and caution. Luma knelt, mimicking Kaldor, but couldn't resist playing a little. When small silver fish darted away from her hand, she giggled softly. "They're so fast," she remarked, enchanted.
Brana remained silent, observing the stream and feeling the coolness in the air. The place felt like an oasis amidst the hardships of the past few days. For a moment, he almost believed they had found the perfect spot to rest.
But Kaldor quickly shattered that illusion. "We can't stay here," he declared as he stood and adjusted the spear on his back.
Brana frowned. "Why not? This place seems perfect."
Kaldor looked at him with a firm expression. "That's exactly why we can't stay. A stream like this is a vital resource. It means it will attract other living beings, including larger and more dangerous predators. Staying this close is asking for trouble."
Luma looked at Kaldor, perplexed. "Then what are we going to do? We can't just ignore the water."
"We won't," Kaldor replied, pointing to the dense trees nearby. "We'll set up camp a little farther away, where we can still access the stream but be more protected. This place is good, but it's not safe."
Brana exchanged a look with Luma and nodded. It made sense. Despite the apparent tranquility, nothing in Enkaryon was truly safe. With that decided, the group began exploring the stream's surroundings in search of a suitable location.
After a few hours of searching, they found a raised area surrounded by sturdy trees and thick vegetation. It was far enough from the stream to avoid unwanted encounters but still close enough to ensure access to water. The elevated view offered a good line of defense, allowing them to spot potential threats before they got too close.
"This place will do," Kaldor said, surveying the area. He pointed to some fallen trees and large rocks that could be used to build a rudimentary shelter. "Let's get to work."
Under Kaldor's instructions, the group began setting up camp. Brana and Luma gathered branches and leaves to reinforce the shelter, while Kaldor used his blade to cut smaller logs and create stakes for protection. The work was exhausting, but there was something comforting about building something tangible—a small space they could call home, even if only temporarily.
As they worked, Kaldor explained strategies for keeping the area secure. "Never leave food exposed. The smell can attract predators," he said while driving a stake into the ground. "And always keep a fire at night, but not too big. The light might attract curious creatures, but the flames will deter most smaller ones."
Luma listened with wide eyes, absorbing every word. Despite her small stature and young age, her curiosity and enthusiasm kept her motivated, even during the most arduous tasks. Brana noticed the sparkle in his sister's eyes as she worked. He knew she was also discovering more about her own ability, but it was still too early to explore that.
When the shelter was complete, the group gathered to prepare something to eat. Kaldor had taught Brana and Luma how to drain the blood from their prey and safely roast the meat, even if rudimentarily. Luma, always curious, was eager to learn, but Brana still hesitated when handling raw meat.
"You'll have to get over that," Kaldor said in his dry tone. "We don't have the luxury of being picky here."
As the meat roasted over the fire, Luma talked excitedly about the fish she had seen in the stream, while Kaldor patiently answered her endless questions. Brana watched them, a small smile appearing on his face. Despite everything, this moment felt... normal. Or as normal as it could be in Enkaryon.
When the meal was ready, the group sat around the fire. The meat was simple, unseasoned, but satisfying. As they ate, the sound of the stream in the distance mixed with the crackling of the flames, creating an almost peaceful atmosphere.
"Now we have a starting point," Kaldor said, looking into the fire. "But there's still much to do. This is only the beginning."