Night fell gradually.
In the damp, shadowed depths, visibility dropped to almost nothing.
Beast's roars echoed from afar. Insects chirred sharply in the undergrowth.
Crunch.
Their footsteps snapped dry branches, the sound unnervingly loud in the silence.
"Let's rest ahead," Alaric Von Seraph said quietly while his eyes, sharp as stars in the night, scanned the terrain.
They had been traversing wetlands for hours, searching for suitable ground.
Raphael smiled faintly. "There's higher ground up front. Perfect for camp."
Soon, they reached a dry, elevated area. Alaric Von Seraph surveyed the surroundings with care, only relaxing once he confirmed there were no lurking threats. He leaned against a thick tree and sat down.
The others followed suit, forming a small circle. From their storage pouches, they took out food and ate in silence.
After a moment, Raphael looked at Zora with gentle concern, a soft smile touching his lips.
