Our group continued moving north, the dense forest around us passing by in a blur as we made our way deeper into uncharted territory. The mana pulsed in the air, thick and vibrant, feeding every step we took. I could feel the energy coursing through my veins, enhancing my strength and sharpening my senses. It wasn’t just me, though. Every living creature in this world had felt the shift—their bodies adapting, evolving under the influence of mana.

We moved at a pace that would have been impossible in the old world. Thor trotted ahead, his nose to the ground, sniffing out any remaining traces of the bandits’ trail. Loki followed behind, her spiders skittering quietly at her heels, their multiple legs barely making a sound against the forest floor. Occasionally, a bee would zip past, returning to report any unusual findings to the hive mind.

The air itself seemed more alive—richer, deeper. The trees were taller, their roots reaching farther than they should, and the underbrush glowed faintly in places where mana had concentrated, creating patches of bioluminescent plants that blinked like stars in the shadows. I caught sight of mutated animals too—larger, fiercer, some even showing signs of strange new abilities, like glowing eyes or hardened, crystal-like skin.

As we moved, I couldn’t help but let my thoughts drift to the oceans. If the forests and fields had changed this much, what must the oceans look like now? I imagined colossal sea creatures, twisted and amplified by mana, ruling the depths like ancient leviathans. Their bodies, already adapted to the harshest of environments, now enhanced to monstrous proportions. I shuddered at the thought. The old world’s oceans had their fair share of mysteries and dangers, but now? Now, they were likely a true horror show.

The sea had always held a primal fear for me. Its dark depths, its hidden creatures—now, with mana weaving through every drop of water, I could only guess at the nightmares lurking beneath.

I glanced at Thor, who had stopped to sniff the air, and then at Loki, who was busy keeping her spiders in check. “Think we’ll ever see the ocean?” I asked, more to myself than anyone else.

Loki snorted. “Not if I can help it. I prefer solid ground. Something about the endless water doesn’t sit right with me.”

I chuckled, though I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. The journey north might be relatively smooth, but the world had shifted. We were stronger, faster, more resilient. But so was everything else. And the deeper we went, the more I felt we were only scratching the surface of what was waiting out there in the wilds.

We pressed on, the trail still faint but leading us closer to whatever lay ahead. It was what I was estimating to be fifty miles north of Schoolville when I started to smell water.

“There is flowing water up ahead.” I called out.

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Thor lifted his head and sniffed the air, his nose twitching. “You’re right, boss,” he replied, his tail wagging slightly as we continued on.

Within a few minutes, the trees began to thin, and the unmistakable sound of rushing water reached my ears. We emerged from the dense forest onto the banks of a wide, swiftly flowing river. The water was clear, its surface glittering under the fading light of day. For a moment, I marveled at the sight—the river, wide and powerful, cutting its way through the landscape like a natural barrier.

But something felt off. The trail that had led us this far suddenly disappeared at the river’s edge, vanishing without a trace. I crouched down, examining the ground near the bank, trying to find any sign of where the bandits might have gone.

“The trail runs cold here,” I muttered to myself.

Thor padded over, sniffing around the bank with his keen nose. “They were here, alright. But the scent disappears right at the water.”

Loki approached, her spiders skittering across the rocks near the river’s edge. “They must’ve taken a boat,” she said, her voice a low growl. “Smart move. It’s easy to cover your tracks if you take the river.”

I stood up, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “Damn it. They’re long gone by now.”

The idea of chasing them down the river, possibly for miles, crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. The river was wide and fast-moving, and without knowing exactly where they were headed, we’d be chasing ghosts. Besides, it was getting late, and pushing ourselves too hard in these wilds wasn’t exactly wise.

“We’ll make camp here for the night,” I said, glancing around at the fading light. “We can pick up the trail in the morning.”

Thor and Loki nodded in agreement, and the group set about preparing for the night. I found a decent spot near the riverbank, a flat patch of land that offered a good view of the surrounding area. We gathered some firewood, and soon enough, the comforting crackle of flames filled the air as we sat around the campfire.

Once things had settled, I closed my eyes and reached out with my mind, connecting with the familiar energy of the dimensional shard. “Seraphina, Regina, you there?”

Seraphina’s voice echoed softly in my mind, soothing as ever. “Yes, Gavrin. How goes your journey?”

“We found the river, but the trail went cold. Looks like the bandits took a boat down the river. We’ll have to figure out where they were headed in the morning,” I replied.

Regina Apis chimed in, her tone thoughtful. “Perhaps we can send out some scouts—bees or ants. They could cover more ground along the river and report back. We may be able to find where they went.”

I nodded to myself, feeling a bit more reassured. “That’s a good idea. Let’s get a few out there at first light. For now, though, we’re camping by the river.”

Seraphina’s voice took on a softer tone. “Be careful, Gavrin. The mana in the wilds is growing more intense, and there are things out there even you may not be prepared for.”

I let out a sigh, the weight of her words settling over me like a heavy cloak. “I know. But I’ve got Thor, Loki, and Fernando with me. We’ll be alright.”

“Of course,” Seraphina said, her confidence in me unwavering. “Rest well, then. We’ll be ready to assist you when the time comes.”

With that, the connection faded, and I opened my eyes, the flickering firelight reflecting off the water nearby. We had a long day ahead of us tomorrow, but for now, the river’s gentle current and the warmth of the fire provided a momentary reprieve.

I leaned back against a fallen log, staring up at the stars. Wherever those bandits were headed, we’d find them.