The forest was still, its shadows stretching longer as the light above dimmed. Eryndor adjusted the strap of his satchel, his body aching from the battle but his resolve firm. The ember in his chest burned steadily, its warmth spreading to his limbs, a reminder of the power he was learning to wield.
Each fight so far had been a test—not just of strength, but of focus, precision, and the ability to adapt. The shard pulsed faintly in his pouch, a quiet hum that seemed to echo his thoughts.
Progress Summary:
Energy Reserve: 61%. Recovery Time Needed for Full Reserve: 20 minutes.
He paused at the edge of a narrow path, his gaze sweeping over the terrain ahead. The forest thickened in the distance, the dense canopy casting deeper shadows. Small energy signatures flickered on the shard's overlay, scattered like fireflies in the night. Most were faint, likely ambient energy sources or harmless flora.
But one stood out—stronger than the rest, pulsing steadily.
Eryndor knelt beside a patch of soft moss, letting himself rest briefly while he analyzed the shard's data. The stronger energy source was farther away, likely near a denser cluster of Dark Energy. It was a promising opportunity, but also a risk.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he considered his options. The ember in his chest flared faintly, as if urging him forward. The shard hummed again, projecting a simple logic-based decision into his mind:
=IF(EnergyReserve > 50%, Investigate, Recover).
With his reserve at 61%, the answer was clear. He couldn't afford to let fear hold him back. Growth required risk.
As he moved deeper into the forest, Eryndor replayed the recent battles in his mind, analyzing each moment. His mental chart grew more detailed, every fight adding a new layer of understanding:
Creature Speed Durability Weak Point Energy Absorbed Mistakes Made Corrupted Wretch 2 m/s 10 units Neck 3 units Overestimated resistance Ravaged Stalker 2.5 m/s 15 units Left Leg Joint 3 units Hesitated during strike Sable Prowler 4.5 m/s 20 units Right Shoulder 6 units Missed timing, wasted energy
The mistakes were glaring. In each fight, he'd hesitated or miscalculated at crucial moments, forcing him to expend more energy than necessary. If he was going to survive the challenges ahead, he needed to refine his methods further.
"Precision over power," he muttered to himself, Calder's lesson echoing in his mind.
The stronger energy signature grew closer, its faint glow visible through the dense underbrush. Eryndor slowed his pace, crouching low to avoid detection. The shard hummed softly, feeding him updated metrics:
Energy Source Metrics:
Concentration: High. Decay Rate Post-Absorption: 0.3%. Proximity to Threats: None detected.
The overlay highlighted the source—a cluster of dark, crystalline plants growing along the base of a large tree. Their spiked leaves shimmered faintly, pulsing with energy.
Eryndor approached cautiously, his knife in hand. The shard's overlay marked the plants' stability as high, but he couldn't ignore the possibility of a trap. He scanned the surrounding terrain, noting the uneven ground and scattered debris.
Satisfied that no immediate threats lurked nearby, he knelt beside the plants and placed his hand gently on one of the crystals. The ember in his chest flared, responding to the concentrated energy.
The shard projected a calculation into his mind:
=AbsorptionRate × Time - (DecayRate × Capacity).
Eryndor adjusted the absorption rate mentally, ensuring a steady flow that wouldn't overload the ember. As the energy began to flow, warmth spread through his chest, stronger and more concentrated than before.
The shard tracked the process, feeding him real-time updates:
Energy Absorbed: 10 units. Current Reserve: 71%. Decay Rate: 0.3%.
The ember burned brighter, its warmth spreading to his limbs and easing the fatigue that lingered there. Eryndor pulled back after a few moments, satisfied. The plants' glow dimmed slightly, but their energy remained stable.
He stood, adjusting the strap of his satchel as he scanned the shard's updated metrics.
Energy Reserve: 71%. Progress Toward Reserve Goal: 85%.
The forest ahead stretched endlessly, its shadows deep and unyielding. Eryndor tightened his grip on Calder's knife, his mind focused on the path forward.
Each fight, each calculation, and each decision had brought him closer to understanding the shard's potential—and his own. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was learning, adapting, and pushing himself beyond his limits.
For the first time since leaving Brindlemark, Eryndor felt a flicker of confidence. It wasn't arrogance or blind optimism—it was a quiet certainty, born of effort and growth.
The ember in his chest burned steadily, its warmth guiding him forward. With each step, the forest seemed a little less daunting.
Eryndor pressed on, the shard's hum a steady rhythm in his mind, its glow faint but unwavering.