Ethan and Lyra stood frozen, the stranger's cryptic words lingering in the air. Around them, the bustling caravan seemed oblivious to the tension simmering in their corner.
"Who was that?" Ethan asked, his voice low but urgent.
"No idea," Lyra replied, her hand still on the hilt of her dagger. "But she knows more than she's letting on."
Ethan's emerald green eyes scanned the crowd, trying to track the woman, but she had disappeared into the throng as if she'd never been there.
"Let's just get what we need and move on," Lyra said firmly. "We don't need any more complications."
Ethan nodded, though his mind kept replaying the woman's words. What did she mean by more than just Rhovan?
The pair worked quickly, bartering some of their spare provisions for fresh supplies. Lyra haggled with precision, securing dried meats, a new waterskin, and a small pouch of herbs that she claimed could be useful for healing.
Meanwhile, Ethan kept watch, his senses on high alert. The faint hum of his Overgrowth System stirred in the back of his mind, as if responding to his unease. He tugged at the gloves covering his hands, suddenly feeling exposed despite the leather.
"You alright?" Lyra asked as she finished packing their supplies.
"Yeah," Ethan said, though he didn't sound convincing. "Let's just get out of here."
They left the caravan behind, the rocky hills giving way to dense forest once more. The towering trees seemed to press closer as they walked, their branches forming a canopy that blocked out much of the midday sun.
After several hours, they stopped to rest near a small stream. Ethan knelt by the water, splashing his face and letting the coolness wash away some of the tension.
Lyra sat nearby, sharpening her dagger with slow, deliberate strokes. "You're quiet," she said without looking up.
Ethan glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "That woman… she knew something. About me. About the system."
Lyra paused, the whetstone hovering over the blade. "Maybe. Or maybe she just wanted to rattle you."
"No," Ethan said firmly. "She knew. I could feel it."
Lyra sighed, setting her dagger aside. "Then what do you want to do about it? Go back and ask her? Because that's a terrible idea."
Ethan shook his head, staring into the rippling water. "No. But I can't just ignore it either. If she's right, if this system is going to attract more enemies… I need to be ready."
"You've already come a long way," Lyra said, her tone softer now. "But you're right. We need to figure out what you're really capable of."
Ethan met her gaze, a determined glint in his emerald eyes. "Then let's start now."
They spent the rest of the afternoon training. Ethan focused on controlling his vine abilities, trying to manipulate their movements with greater precision. He practiced summoning the Ember Cloak as well, keeping the flames contained to his hands to minimize the risk of detection.
Lyra coached him, offering tips and pointing out flaws in his technique. She seemed impressed by his progress but didn't let it show too much.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ethan sat back, drenched in sweat but feeling more confident.
"You're getting there," Lyra said, handing him a water flask.
Ethan took it gratefully, gulping down the cool liquid. "Thanks. I feel… more in control now."
"Good," Lyra said. "Because something tells me we're going to need every edge we can get."
That night, as they made camp, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He stared into the darkness, his staff resting across his lap. The forest seemed too quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent.
"Do you feel that?" he asked Lyra, who was tending the fire.
She looked up, her expression sharp. "Yeah. We're not alone."
A low growl echoed through the trees, and Ethan's heart sank. Shadows shifted at the edge of the firelight, revealing a pair of glowing red eyes.
"Great," Lyra muttered, drawing her dagger. "Just what we needed."
The creature stepped into view—a massive feline beast with sleek black fur and jagged, glowing lines running along its body. Its claws gleamed like obsidian, and its tail swayed lazily behind it, tipped with a sharp blade-like edge.
Ethan's system flared to life, the familiar hum growing louder. Information flooded his mind:
Void Panther
• Affinity: Shadow
• Abilities: Stealth, Precision Strikes, Shadow Veil
The beast crouched, ready to pounce. Ethan stood, his staff crackling with energy as vines began to unfurl around him.
"Shadow affinity," he said, his voice steady. "This is going to be tricky."
Lyra smirked, flipping her dagger in her hand. "You're learning. Now let's see if all that training paid off."
The Void Panther lunged, and the battle began.