The sun had climbed high into the sky, casting dappled light across the slopes of the back mountain. Astrea and Michaela moved carefully through the dense undergrowth, scanning for herbs that could aid in healing or be used in potions. Astrea's stomach grumbled, a constant reminder of the meager breakfast he had hastily eaten back in Brighthollow, but he pushed the thought aside. Today was about survival and helping Michaela gather what she needed.
Michaela moved gracefully through the forest, her basket swinging lightly at her side. "Here, this one can be used for inflammation," she murmured, plucking a small green-leaved plant and placing it gently in her basket. Astrea nodded, following her lead, careful not to step on anything that might alert a creature nearby.
Suddenly, a rustle came from the nearby bushes. Michaela froze mid-step, her hand moving slowly toward her pocket. Astrea's eyes narrowed as he crouched slightly, ready for anything.
"What is that?" he whispered, nodding at her hand as she produced a small pouch filled with a violet powder.
"This?" she said softly. "It's a beast repellent. Only effective against Level 1 and Level 2 Tier 1 Fledgling Beasts. Nothing beyond that."
Astrea's eyebrows shot up. "Level 1… Tier 1… fledgling…? Great, that's reassuring." He muttered the words under his breath, rolling them around like a mantra of caution.
They held their breath, waiting as the bush continued to rustle. Slowly, the culprit emerged not a snarling beast or a predatory creature, but a small, fluffy rabbit. Astrea blinked, his tension evaporating in a puff of disbelief.
"…That's it?" he muttered, a hand running over his face. "A rabbit?"
Michaela chuckled softly. "Don't underestimate them. In this forest, even the smallest creature can attract predators. But for now… it's just lunch for someone else, I hope."
Relieved, they resumed their search, moving deeper into the mountain. Astrea, still keeping an eye on his surroundings, noticed Michaela glance at his arms and legs.
"You're… still hurt," she said gently. "Are you managing?"
"I'll survive," Astrea replied, brushing off her concern, though his eyes betrayed the lingering pain. "A little discomfort isn't going to stop me."
She gave a small sigh and shook her head, continuing to gather herbs. "You really need to be more careful. I can't have you getting yourself killed while we're out here."
Astrea smirked. "I'm learning. Slowly, painfully, but I'm learning."
As noon approached, the pair realized they had been wandering the slopes for hours. Their baskets were already filling with various herbs some familiar, some only vaguely remembered from the previous body's limited knowledge. Michaela set her basket down and pulled out a small bundle from her pack.
"Lunch?" she asked, opening a cloth to reveal boiled potatoes and a handful of berries she had picked earlier. She handed a portion to Astrea and uncorked a bottle of water, sharing it between them.
Astrea bit into a potato, savoring the simple flavors, and nodded appreciatively. "Not bad. Simple… but satisfying."
Michaela smiled. "It's better than nothing. And we need to keep our strength up if we're going to finish the day."
The afternoon stretched on with careful observation and gathering. Astrea began to notice subtle things the way the sunlight fell on certain slopes, the proximity to a small stream, and the density of the forest. Michaela hummed softly as she moved, occasionally giving pointers on herb identification.
By mid-afternoon, they agreed they had gathered enough for the day. "Time to head down," Michaela said, lifting her basket. Astrea nodded, feeling a strange satisfaction at how much they had accomplished.
However, the mountain had one more surprise in store. As they descended a narrow path, a rustling sound emerged from the thicket ahead. Astrea's instincts immediately sharpened.
From the foliage, a creature stepped out a Level 3 Tier 1 Fledgling Beast. Its fur bristled, and its eyes glowed with a predatory gleam. Both Astrea and Michaela froze, nerves on edge.
"Run!" Astrea hissed, nudging Michaela. "I'll distract it!"
Michaela's eyes widened. "What? No! We should—"
"I said run! Trust me, Michaela. You'll be safe," he interrupted, already edging toward the creature.
Michaela hesitated for a heartbeat, then reached into her pouch and handed Astrea the violet powder, her voice firm. "Be safe. Use this."
Astrea took it without hesitation. "Thanks… don't worry about me," he muttered, trying to mask the adrenaline in his voice.
As Michaela bolted down the slope, Astrea squared his shoulders, staring down the beast. He cursed under his breath. "Of course it's Level 3… of course!"
The beast advanced, teeth bared, but Astrea held his ground. His eyes locked with the creature's, a tense staring contest that seemed to stretch on for eternity. He threw a pinch of the violet powder toward its nose, hoping to slow it down, and muttered, "Come on… think… don't die…"
The forest echoed with the sounds of movement, leaves snapping underfoot, but Astrea's focus never wavered. Every muscle in his body tensed, ready for the slightest opening to escape or outmaneuver the beast.
Michaela's voice called back faintly from the distance, urging him forward. The sun dipped lower in the sky, shadows lengthening across the path, as Astrea engaged in this perilous dance cursing, calculating, and daring fate all at once.
If I survive this… maybe I can handle anything this world throws at me, he thought grimly, determination settling like iron in his chest.