The forest felt different as Ryn and the others made their way back from the rift. The oppressive weight of the corruption had lessened slightly, but the air was still heavy and cold, the trees twisting unnaturally as if they were leaning in to watch the group.
Ryn adjusted the straps of his pack, his eyes darting to the Spirit Fox. It moved slower than usual, its glowing fur dim and its tail drooping. The bond pulsed faintly, but there was a flicker of something unfamiliar in it—an unsteady rhythm that sent a chill down Ryn's spine.
"You okay?" Ryn asked softly, crouching to place a hand on the fox's head.
The Spirit Fox chirped weakly, nuzzling his hand before letting out a faint growl.
Mira glanced over her shoulder, her expression concerned. "What's wrong with it?"
"I don't know," Ryn said, frowning. "It's never been like this before."
"It's the rift," Bryn said bluntly. He walked ahead of the group, the sealed container holding the Rift Core tucked under his arm. "The corruption's still affecting it. Beasts that get too close to a rift—even strong ones—don't come out unscathed."
Ryn clenched his fists, his gaze shifting back to the Spirit Fox. The bond pulsed again, weaker this time.
"How do I fix it?" Ryn asked, his voice tight.
Bryn shrugged. "Depends. Sometimes it wears off on its own. Sometimes... it doesn't."
"That's not helpful," Ryn snapped.
"Welcome to the Wildlands," Bryn said, not bothering to look back.
"Hey," Mira said sharply, shooting Bryn a glare. "Enough. You could try being a little less of an ass, you know."
Jek chuckled, twirling his dagger. "Bryn doesn't do 'helpful.' You'll get used to it."
Ryn ignored them, his focus on the Spirit Fox. He crouched again, placing both hands on its sides. The bond flared faintly at his touch, but it still felt... off.
"Come on," he whispered. "You're stronger than this."
The Spirit Fox let out a soft chirp, its glowing eyes meeting his. For a moment, the bond pulsed a little brighter, and Ryn felt a flicker of determination from the fox.
"That's it," Ryn said, forcing a small smile. "Just hold on a little longer. We'll figure this out."
By the time they reached the camp, the sun was beginning to set, casting the forest in deep orange and gold. The tamers moved quickly, securing the container with the Rift Core inside one of their reinforced crates.
Ryn stayed by the fire, sitting cross-legged with the Spirit Fox curled up beside him. Its glow was dimmer than ever, and its breathing came in slow, shallow puffs.
Mira approached, crouching beside Ryn and offering him a waterskin. "Here," she said.
Ryn accepted it silently, taking a small sip before holding it out to the fox. The Spirit Fox sniffed at the waterskin but didn't drink.
Mira frowned. "It's worse than I thought."
"Do you know how to help it?" Ryn asked, his voice quiet but edged with desperation.
Mira hesitated. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "The corruption affects every beast differently. For some, resting is enough. For others..."
Ryn's jaw tightened. "There has to be something we can do."
"There might be," Mira said. "But it's risky."
Ryn looked up sharply. "What is it?"
Mira glanced toward the crate holding the Rift Core. "Sometimes, exposure to the same energy that caused the damage can stabilize the bond. It's like... resetting it."
"That sounds insane," Ryn said, his voice flat.
"It is," Mira said. "If the bond isn't strong enough, it could make things worse—or break entirely. But if you're willing to try..."
"No," Bryn said firmly, walking over with his arms crossed. "That's a bad idea, and you know it."
"It's not your call," Mira shot back. "If he wants to take the risk, that's up to him."
Ryn stared at the Spirit Fox, his thoughts racing. The bond pulsed weakly, the unsteady rhythm a constant reminder of how close they were to losing everything they had built together.
"What are the chances it works?" Ryn asked.
"Low," Mira admitted. "But better than doing nothing."
"And what happens if it fails?"
"The bond could collapse," Mira said, her tone grim. "You'd lose the connection—and the fox might not survive."
Ryn's chest tightened, his fists clenching. The Spirit Fox let out a faint chirp, nudging his hand as if to say, It's your call.
"Don't be stupid," Bryn said, his voice sharp. "You've made it this far with that thing. Don't throw it all away on a gamble."
"It's not your decision," Ryn said, standing.
"It's my camp," Bryn shot back. "And I'm not letting you mess with a Rift Core here."
"Then I'll do it somewhere else," Ryn said, his voice cold.
Mira placed a hand on Ryn's arm. "Wait," she said. "Don't rush into this. If you're going to do it, you need to be prepared. The core's energy is unstable, and you'll need to channel it carefully."
"Fine," Ryn said, his jaw tight. "Just tell me how."
Later that night, under Mira's guidance, Ryn prepared for the risky ritual. The Rift Core pulsed faintly in its container, casting eerie green light across the camp. The Spirit Fox lay nearby, its breathing slow and labored.
Ryn knelt beside the core, his hands trembling slightly.
"Focus on the bond," Mira said, her voice steady. "It's the only thing that can guide the energy. If you lose control for even a second..."
"I won't," Ryn said firmly.
The bond flared weakly as he reached out, his fingers brushing against the container.
Hold on, Ryn thought, his focus sharpening as the Spirit Fox's energy intertwined with his own. We can do this.