The sand felt firm under their boots as they moved away from the shore. The ship stayed behind them, quiet and still.
Rhys raised a hand. "We stop here for a moment."
Everyone paused.
Lyra looked around carefully. Tall trees, thick bushes, and uneven ground. No clear paths.
"No movement," she said. "But the forest is dense."
Aria knelt and placed her hand on the ground. "The magic here is stable, but different. It flows slowly. Like it's watching."
Caria rolled her shoulders. "So… not friendly, not hostile?"
"Exactly," Aria replied.
Sophia nodded. "That means we don't rush."
Puddle floated low near the ground. "Island feels quiet. Not empty. Quiet."
Rhys considered the area. "We set a short camp near the shore. Just in case we need to fall back."
They agreed and worked quickly. No fire, no noise. Just a marked spot and a clear escape route.
Once done, they moved inland together.
