The forest at the edge of the Abyss seemed to breathe with its own malevolent will. Even in the faint light of dawn, the air was dense and oppressive. The trees towered overhead, their gnarled branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. Beneath their shadows, the land was eerily silent, save for the occasional rustle of unseen creatures.
Ryu awoke to find Draven still at his post, the fire reduced to embers. Despite his usual nonchalant demeanor, there was a sharpness in Draven's gaze as he scanned the treeline.
"Anything?" Ryu asked as he rose, adjusting Voidfang on his back.
"Nothing," Draven replied, though his voice lacked its usual bravado. "But it feels like the forest is watching us."
Ryu nodded. He could feel it too: a weight on his shoulders, oppressive. The shard in his pocket pulsed faintly, its beat in sync with the restive energy of the forest.
