Alexia raised her voice to get everyone's attention, a clear determination in her gaze.

"Listen," she said, making sure everyone was focused on her. "We'll split into two groups. One will stay here, protecting and securing this position. The other will move forward, checking if there's a safer zone or a route we can take."

Selena, doubting her statement, interrupted with a direct question.

"And who will be the ones advancing?"

Alexia already had the answer in mind.

"Leo, Isuke, Thorne, and I will go ahead. We're fast and can explore the terrain without compromising the main group."

Thorne, who had been silently listening, raised his hand.

"Alexia, I'm not very good at jumping from branch to branch... especially not at this height."

Alexia smiled slightly but quickly wiped the expression from her face, keeping serious.

"Don't worry. Isuke and Leo are willing to explore. You and the others will stay here under Aiden's command."

Selena frowned, not entirely satisfied with the plan, as something didn't quite sit right with her.

"And why don't you take Camila too? That way, both teams would have healers in case something happens."

Alexia looked at Camila and then calmly responded.

"Because we aren't going to fight. We're moving forward cautiously, avoiding any conflict. Besides, Camila, do you see yourself jumping between trees?"

Camila quickly shook her head several times, showing clear horror at the thought.

"No, no... being this high already gives me chills," Camila confessed, still trembling a little.

Aiden, observing the dynamic, decided to intervene.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Darius, do you want to go?" he asked, knowing his companion was one of the group's strongest.

Darius, without hesitation, replied in a calm but firm tone.

"I'd like to, but I'm too heavy to be jumping from tree to tree."

Suddenly, Darius pointed toward the wolves below, who were managing to climb a few meters with their claws before falling again, injuring themselves in the process.

"Besides, it's better for me to stay here and cover you. These wolves are getting better at their attempts, and I don't want them to take advantage of any slip-up."

Aiden nodded, understanding his point.

Darius continued, looking at Alexia.

"The idea isn't bad. Letting the lighter ones explore makes sense, but we, the stronger ones, stay here to make sure there are no problems for when you return."

Alexia nodded slowly.

"You got it right, Darius." Then she lifted her gaze to the rest of the group. "Does everyone agree?"

A murmur of agreement spread through the group.

It wasn't a perfect plan, but in this situation, there was no better one.

It was a silent consensus that moving forward was preferable to staying trapped and without options.

With a deep breath, Alexia took the first step. She agilely jumped toward a distant branch, her eyes fixed on her target, ignoring the abyss below.

As she landed precisely on the branch, everyone held their breath.

Below them, the wolf pack watched her, lurking, ready to pounce at the first mistake they made.

Alexia, with the calmness that always characterized her, turned on her position and signaled Leo and Isuke to follow her.

"Let's go, we don't have all day."

Leo was next. Although his jump was shorter and safer, he advanced, landing gracefully on a nearby branch.

His breathing remained steady, and he didn’t miss a beat.

Isuke, on the other hand, stayed back for another second.

Doubts assaulted him. It was, in part, because of his decision that they were in this situation.

Isuke looked toward the void he needed to cross, and just below him, the wolves kept desperately jumping toward the lower branches, trying to climb.

The red eyes and gleaming fangs seemed to mock his hesitation.

'I can't back out now,' Isuke thought. With a sigh, he bent his legs and jumped.

For a moment, the air seemed to stop, and his body was suspended between the tree he was leaving behind and the branch he was trying to reach.

For a second, he lost control and felt his feet slip, sending a chill through his entire body as he saw the distance separating him from the ground.

The wolves below kept trying to climb, falling with every failed attempt, but getting closer each time.

Isuke wavered for an instant but finally managed to grab the branch tightly.

His breathing quickened as he tried to calm the trembling in his body.

Leo, already farther ahead, watched him with some concern.

"Are you okay?"

Isuke nodded, though the fear still lingered.

"Yeah… just, let's keep going."

He knew he couldn't fall behind. Despite the fear, the danger, and the uncertainty surrounding him, his only goal now was to keep up with Alexia and Leo, to tell them which direction that energy was heading. They couldn't afford a single mistake. Not now.