The forest seemed to close in around them as they left the clearing, the heavy silence enveloping Isla and Auren once more. There was something different about the atmosphere now, an electric current in the air that made Isla's skin prickle. She could still feel the lingering touch of the shrine's energy, a buzz beneath her skin that refused to settle.
They walked in silence for a while, the faint rustle of leaves and the crunch of their footsteps the only sounds breaking the stillness. Isla glanced at Auren, whose gaze was fixed straight ahead, his expression unreadable. She could tell he was deep in thought, his mind working through the events at the shrine, just as hers was.
The system's interface lingered in the corner of her vision, a reminder of what had happened. [New Skill Unlocked: Minor Mana Channeling]. She hadn't even begun to understand what that meant, but the feeling of the power flowing through her—raw, untamed—had been exhilarating. Dangerous, too, but exhilarating nonetheless.
"So," Isla said, breaking the silence. Her voice sounded small amidst the towering trees. "That fragment... what was it exactly? Just... power?"
Auren's golden eyes flicked to her, his expression as distant as ever. He was silent for a moment before he spoke, his voice measured. "The fragment was a piece of what was stripped from me. The gods and their champions scattered my power across the world, binding it in places like that shrine. Recovering it will make me whole again."
Isla nodded slowly, processing his words. "And... what about me? Why did it react to me?"
Auren's gaze turned contemplative, and for a moment, his intensity softened. "The shrines are remnants of the old ways. They respond to mana and intent. You have a connection to mana now—however minor. It seems you have the potential to draw from it." He paused, as if considering whether to say more. "But you must be careful. Mana is a powerful force. Uncontrolled, it can be more destructive than you might imagine."
Isla swallowed, a hint of apprehension gnawing at her insides. She could feel the weight of his words, and the power that had coursed through her at the shrine hadn't been gentle. It had been overwhelming, like standing on the edge of a storm, trying to keep her balance while the wind threatened to tear her away.
They continued on until the forest began to thin, and the sight of sunlight breaking through the trees signaled the end of their journey through the dense woods. The land opened up into rolling hills, and in the distance, Isla could make out the faint outline of an encampment, smoke rising in tendrils from a few scattered fires. A notification blinked before her eyes: [New Location Discovered: Traveler's Rest].
"A camp?" Isla asked, squinting toward the distant shapes that formed an irregular cluster against the landscape.
Auren gave a curt nod. "This is better. Not a village, fewer eyes. We'll gather supplies and see what information we can get."
The camp came into view gradually, revealing a collection of mismatched tents and wagons. The air was alive with noise—people arguing, animals braying, and the distinct sound of hammers hitting anvils. It wasn't an organized settlement like Wayward, but a temporary refuge for travelers, traders, and those who preferred to live outside the reach of structured authority.
As they approached, a few of the camp's inhabitants turned to look at them, their eyes wary but not immediately hostile. Auren's presence still drew attention, his bearing too refined for this place, his features too striking to blend in. Isla could feel the shift in energy as they entered the camp, a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and guarded interest.
They moved between the tents, Auren's gaze flickering from one face to the next, his expression unreadable. Isla kept close, her [Trap Awareness] skill buzzing faintly in her mind. She could feel the undercurrent of danger here—people who lived on the edges often knew how to fend for themselves in ways that weren't exactly legal.
Auren stopped in front of a large tent with a makeshift sign reading "Feyna's Wares" hanging crookedly from a wooden post. A pungent mix of herbs, dried meat, and something less pleasant wafted from within. He looked to Isla. "We'll see what they have."
Inside, a woman sat behind a cluttered table, her hair bound in loose braids that framed her face. She glanced up as they entered, her eyes sharp, and Isla immediately sensed something different about her—a slight shimmer in the air around her hinted at magic.
"Travelers, huh?" she said, her voice a lilting drawl that belied her shrewd gaze. "Not often we get your type through here. You looking for something in particular?"
Auren stepped forward, his gaze steady. "Information. And provisions. We're heading north."
The woman, Feyna, leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing slightly. "North, you say? Dangerous place. Not much there but old ruins and restless spirits. You sure that's where you want to go?"
Auren's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm certain."
Feyna studied him for a moment longer before nodding. She gestured to a shelf behind her, laden with assorted goods—bottles, vials, dried herbs, and weapons that looked well-used. "Take what you need, if you've got something to trade."
Isla watched as Auren moved to inspect the goods, her own gaze wandering around the tent. The air seemed to pulse faintly with mana, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Feyna was watching them closely, gauging more than just their ability to pay.
Feyna's gaze shifted to Isla, her eyes narrowing as she took in the dagger at Isla's side and the faint glow of her [Mana Sensitivity]. "You've got the touch, don't you?" she said, her voice softer, almost intrigued.
Isla blinked, surprised. "The touch?"
Feyna nodded, her gaze flicking to Auren briefly before settling back on Isla. "Magic. Mana. It's in you, more than most. Be careful with that, girl. This world's got a funny way of twisting power until it's something dark."
Isla swallowed, the warning striking a chord. She had felt it too—the potential for danger in the power she had touched, the way it had threatened to slip beyond her control. She nodded slowly, her eyes meeting Feyna's. "I'll be careful."
Feyna gave a short nod, then looked at Auren. "For you, though... I reckon careful isn't much in your vocabulary."
Auren didn't respond, simply turning with a few items—some dried rations, a vial of something dark and viscous, and a small bundle of herbs. He handed Feyna a handful of coins, which she accepted without comment.
"Good luck, then," she said, her eyes lingering on them as they turned to leave. "You'll need it if you're heading north."
As they stepped back out into the camp, Isla glanced at Auren, her brow furrowed. "She seemed... different. Like she knew more than she let on."
Auren gave a faint nod, his gaze distant. "People like her are rare. Those who can see beyond the veil. But her knowledge is not what we need right now."
Isla frowned but let it drop. They continued through the camp, Auren leading them towards a quieter area where a few wagons had formed a makeshift boundary. A group of traders sat nearby, sharing a meal, and Auren paused, his eyes narrowing as if considering his options.
"Rest here tonight," he said, his voice low. "We move at first light. The next shrine is not far, and I have no patience for delays."
Isla nodded, though her mind was still reeling from everything they had experienced today. She glanced at her [Status] screen, noting the new skills and her current mana reserves. She had come a long way from the frightened archaeologist she had been just a short time ago, but every new encounter seemed to open up more questions—about Auren, about herself, and about the power that flowed through this transformed world.
They found a quiet spot beneath a tree, the distant sounds of the camp providing a strange comfort. Isla settled down, her back against the rough bark, her thoughts drifting. She knew sleep wouldn't come easy, not with the prospect of another shrine and another fragment of Auren's power waiting just ahead.
"Do you think we'll find it?" she asked quietly, her eyes on the stars that had begun to peek through the canopy above.
Auren glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "We will. It's only a matter of time."
Isla nodded, closing her eyes. She hoped he was right. And more than that, she hoped they would both survive whatever came next.