The trek back to Dawnstead was anything but uneventful. As soon as they removed the Core of Shadows from its pedestal, the forest seemed to come alive with hostility. The once-quiet woods now teemed with creatures drawn to the artifact's presence, their glowing eyes piercing through the thick underbrush.
"I knew this would happen," Arya muttered, her bow in hand. "That thing's like a beacon for every monster in these woods."
"Great," Ryan said, glancing at the glowing orb now secured in Grent's pack. "How far to Dawnstead?"
Grent grunted, hefting his hammer. "Not far, but with this many pests, it'll feel like a lifetime."
They moved quickly but cautiously, their formation tight. Grent took the lead, his massive hammer ready to strike, while Arya covered the rear with her bow. Ryan stayed in the middle, his eyes scanning the dense forest for any sign of movement.
It didn't take long for the first wave to come.
[Shadow Wolves] - Level 5
The pack emerged from the shadows, their low growls sending chills down Ryan's spine. Grent stepped forward with a battle cry, his hammer swinging in a wide arc that scattered the wolves like leaves in the wind.
"Keep moving!" Arya shouted, loosing an arrow that struck one wolf mid-leap. "We can't afford to get bogged down here."
Ryan activated [Quick Strike], darting forward to slash at a wolf that had circled around them. His blade found its mark, and the creature disintegrated into pixels.
+20 XP
"Nice work, kid!" Grent called over his shoulder, slamming another wolf into the ground.
The trio pressed on, fighting off wave after wave of attackers. Wolves gave way to shadowy humanoid figures with glowing red eyes, their movements unnervingly silent.
[Shade Stalkers] - Level 6
"These things again," Ryan muttered, his sword clashing with the blade of one of the stalkers. It hissed, its face twisting into a grotesque snarl as it pushed against him. He kicked it back and delivered a swift slash to its chest, the creature dissolving into light.
Arya's arrows flew with unerring precision, each one taking down a stalker before it could get too close. Grent held the front line, his hammer smashing through everything in their path.
Despite their efforts, the attacks showed no sign of stopping.
"They're endless!" Ryan shouted, his arms aching from the constant fighting.
"They won't stop as long as we have that thing," Arya said, nodding toward the pack on Grent's back. "We have to move faster."
Grent gritted his teeth, his hammer glowing as he activated a skill. The ground shook as he slammed it down, creating a shockwave that knocked back a group of stalkers. "Let's go!"
By the time Dawnstead's gates came into view, the trio was battered and exhausted. The guards at the gate looked alarmed as the group stumbled through, their weapons drawn and their clothes torn.
"What happened?" one guard asked, his eyes wide.
"Long story," Arya said, her tone sharp. "Just make sure no one follows us in."
The guards nodded, quickly shutting the gates behind them. The trio made their way to the Adventurer's Guild, where the familiar hum of activity greeted them. Ryan felt a wave of relief as they stepped inside, the warmth and light a stark contrast to the cold hostility of the forest.
The guild clerk looked up as they approached. "Back already? You look like you've been through hell."
Arya placed the Core of Shadows on the counter, its glow dimming under the guild's bright lanterns. "We found this," she said. "It's the source of the disturbances in the Silverpine Woods."
The clerk's eyes widened. "That… that's Precursor tech. Where did you—?"
"Deep in the woods," Arya interrupted. "And it wasn't unguarded."
Grent let out a weary laugh. "That's putting it lightly."
The clerk nodded, taking the artifact with careful hands. "I'll have this sent to the scholars immediately. You've done incredible work."
Ryan leaned against the counter, his exhaustion finally catching up with him. "So what now?"
Arya exchanged a glance with Grent before looking back at Ryan. "Now we rest. And then we get ready. If that was just the beginning, there's no telling what's coming next.