Under the cloak of the pre-dawn light, our small but determined band set out, led by Thor’s keen senses. The air was chilled, a foreboding whisper of the threats that lay ahead. Maya walked beside me, her posture radiating a calm determination. Brad, adjusting his glasses, scanned our surroundings scanned our surroundings with a historian’s curiosity turned survival instinct. Daniel, despite his worry for his family, carried himself with a resolute strength. He held his warhammer in his hand, clutching until his knuckles turned white. Derek’s sturdy, silent presence was reassuring, his mechanic’s hands now held in readiness.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, the temperature dropped, an unnatural cold setting in. “We’re getting close,” I murmured, noting Thor’s increased pace and alert stance.

Maya suddenly halted, her hand raised. “Something’s not right,” She whispered. The earth beneath us seemed to hum with a warning. No sooner had she spoken than shadows moved around us; frost spiders, emerging from the treetops and underbrush.

I wondered how I had missed them.

Brad stepped forward, brandishing his weapon. “Form up.” He commanded, the teacher in him now a battlefield commander. Daniel took a defensive position, his hammer ready. Derek, although unarmed, stood ready to lend his strength wherever needed.

I called Thor back and had him him and Loki watch our sides and backs to make sure we weren’t flanked. I decided to take a less active role and provide support to the group. The monsters didn’t seem that bad and I would just be stealing experience from people who needed it more than I did.

“I’ve got this one!” Daniel shouted, engaging a particularly large spider. With precision, he swung his hammer, creating a magical barrier that trapped the creature momentarily, giving him the opening to strike a critical blow.

Derek, finding a discarded branch, wielded it with surprising effectiveness, keeping the spiders at bay with sheer force.

Amidst the chaos, I focused my mana, directing roots to ensnare and immobilize the spiders, their icy forms cracking against the unyielding grip of the earth. Thor and Loki were a whirlwind of fur and fangs, tore through a group of spiders that tripped to attack us from the side. I could feel them pulling upon our bond and drawing mana from me to help fuel their attacks.

As the last of spiders fell, the forest grew silent, save for our heavy breathing. Brad adjusted his glasses, looking around at the carnage. “Well, that was invigorating,” he said, a hint of dry humor in his voice.

I looked over Derek and saw a cut on his arm. “Nature’s fury, guided by a healer’s touch.” I said softly, the warmth of my magic soothing the chill of the spider’s touch.

Daniel wiped his brow, looking in the direction Thor was now eager to continue. “Let’s keep moving. My family, we need to find them.”

I agreed but asked the group to hold up. I turned to Derek. “Let me see that branch.” I told him. Derek nodded and handed me the branch he pick up and used during the fight.

Magic flowed from hands and the branch straightened and took on more of a club shape. I looked around on the ground and saw a rock that was about the right size. The tip of the club writhed and branches grew out and I placed the rock into place and the roots curled around the rock to hold it into place. I next turned my attention to the stone and used my magic to subtly change the shape. It wasn’t a stone axe, but it certainly had the correct shape for one. I was surprised when I received a prompt.

[SYSTEM PROMPT]

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

You have crafted: Stonebound Defender

Type: Melee Weapon (Club)

Quality: Uncommon

Durability: 120/120

Damage: 15-20

Attributes:

Nature's Embrace: +5% chance to root the target in place for 2 seconds.

Earthen Might: +10% damage to creatures of elemental ice.

Special Ability:

Tremor Strike (Cooldown: 1 minute): Slam the ground, causing a minor tremor. Deals 25 AoE damage to enemies within a 5-foot radius and reduces their movement speed by 20% for 3 seconds.

Description: Crafted by the Druid Gavrin from the heart of the forest, this club is bound by the strength of stone and the resilience of wood. Imbued with the essence of the earth, it carries the might to defend against the cold and unearthly foes.

“Hold on,” Derek said, examining the club with a mix of admiration and surprise. “You’ve been sitting on this talent this whole time, and you’re just now bringing it out?”

I shrugged, a bit taken aback by the sudden attention. “Honestly, it just never came up. I’ve been more focused on the plants and defending the settlement.”

Maya stepped forward, her eyes alight with ideas. “Think of what we could do with this ability. Armor that could grow with its wearer, or weapons that adapt to their user’s strength.”

I merely hung my head. This was exactly why I hadn’t mentioned it before.

Brad nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with historical precedents. “Armies have been made or broken on the back of their equipment. Gavrin, you could change the game for us.”

Daniel, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We have a mission to complete. But Gavrin, once we’re back, I think a workshop is in order.”

“How are you guys going to pay me?” I asked. “It’s bad mojo to work for free. Eventually one of us will feel taken advantage of and everyone’s feelings will be hurt.”

The group fell silent at my question, the excitement momentarily dampened by the practicality of my concern. Derek, scratching his head, broke the silence. “Well, that’s a fair point. You’re already doing a lot for the camp.”

Maya, ever the advocate for communal support, quickly added, “We’ll find a way to compensate you, Gavrin. Maybe we can set up a barter system. Your skills are invaluable, and it’s only right that you’re rewarded for you contributions."

Brad, looking thoughtful, suggested, “How about we offer protection? Not just for you, but a guarantee for the safety of your projects and experiments. And assistance in gathering any materials you might need.”

I look at Brad in disbelief for a moment. “Are you joking about protection? I’m out there almost everyday. I take a week off and this happens.”

I crossed my arms, considering the offers. “Protection is a nonstarter. But the collection idea might work.”

Daniel, understanding the gravity of my request, nodded solemnly. “You have my word, Gavrin. We’ll organize teams to assist you. We’ll get you everything you need.”

I let out a sigh, the frustration easing out of me. “Alright, but we do this my way. And after we get back from this rescue mission. My priority right now is getting our people back safely.”

The agreement seemed to satisfy everyone, and the mood lightened as we resumed our journey. I was feeling pretty good about everything.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, we realized it would be unwise to confront the bandits in the cover of darkness. We chose a concealed spot to set up camp, ensuring we were far enough away to avoid detection but close enough to keep track of the bandit’s movements.

Maya, using her Earth Mage abilities, manipulated the ground to create a small depression for us to huddle in, effectively concealing our presence. Derek gathered dry branches and, with my guidance, created a small, smokeless fire that provided warmth without betraying our location.

Brad kept watch. His Guardian Historian class had a skill making him the perfect sentinel. Daniel, though anxious about his family, understood the necessity of rest and reluctantly settled down. The quiet of the night was only broken by the occasional crackle of our hidden fire and the distant howls of nocturnal creatures.

“I hate waiting.” Daniel murmured, staring into the flames. His hands clenched and unclenched, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil.

“We’ll get them back, Daniel.” I assured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We’re stronger together. Tomorrow, we end this.”

“We should all try to get some sleep.” Maya suggested, wrapping her cloak tightly around her. “We need to be at our best at dawn.”

Nods of agreement went around the campfire as each of us settled into our chosen spots, the watch schedule already agreed upon. The night passed in tense but uneventful silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts and concerns for the coming confrontation.

As dawn approached, we doused the remnants of our fire, erasing any trace of our presence. With Thor leading the way, we set out, the weight of the mission pressing heavily on our shoulders. Today, we would face the bandits and rescue our people.