The trio had spent the entire day acclimating to the strange yet powerful realm of Laoyon. Between breakthroughs, battles, and the overwhelming energy that saturated the air, exhaustion was finally catching up with them. As they settled by the shimmering stream, the night deepened, casting an ethereal glow across the silent ambiance. Then suddenly—Grrrrooooooooowl! A deep, guttural sound rumbled from a stomach, loud enough to turn heads.

Dominic let out a heavy sigh, flopping onto a patch of soft, moss-covered ground. "Okay, I get that we're supposed to be warriors and all, but seriously, dried rations? That’s barely a snack. I’m starving! Do we even know if this place has actual food?"

Leigh got up and sat down, leaning against a broken vase in the corner of the ruined house, stifling her laughter. "Ahem, if Laoyon is as abundant as it seems, there must be something we can eat."

Arden, who had been silent for a moment, suddenly sniffed the air. "There’s something nearby. Game, I think."

Dominic perked up. "Oh? Are you saying we’re about to have ourselves a fine, mystical beast barbecue? Because I’m all in."

Leigh shook her head with an amused smile. "We should be careful. We don’t know how the creatures here react to being hunted. For all we know, they could be sacred or worse—highly aggressive."

Arden nodded. "That’s why we scout first. I’ll track it. Luckily, I grew up in the mountains, so hunting game is second nature to me. Food will never be an issue." He gave a confident smirk before continuing, "You two gather firewood and check if there’s anything edible growing nearby."

Splitting up, they each took on their task. Leigh wandered towards the glowing foliage surrounding the old house, "Blue Berries?" plucking the fruit that pulsed with a faint, golden light. She hesitated before taking a cautious bite.

Her eyes widened. "It’s sweet... and warm? Almost like honey."

Dominic, meanwhile, gathered dried branches and leaves, using small bursts of energy to ignite a controlled flame. "Perfect. Now we just need Arden to come back with dinner."

A few moments later, Arden reappeared, carrying a large wolf-like creature over his shoulder. It was bigger than an ordinary wolf, its iridescent fur shimmering under the faint glow of Laoyon's energy, and its fading luminescent eyes hinted at the strange life force of this realm. He set it down gently before looking at the others. "I checked—nothing sacred about it," he assured them. "It’s a common beast around here. Should be safe to eat."

As they prepared their meal, the trio finally had a moment to relax. The crackling of the fire, the aroma of roasting meat, and the soft hum of Laoyon’s energy blended into an oddly peaceful atmosphere. With Dominic's mastery over the five elements, cooking became a luxury—spices materialized at his command, flames adjusted to the perfect heat, and the meat cooked evenly, sealing in all the juices. It was far from mere survival; it was a feast worthy of warriors.

Leigh exhaled, stretching her arms. "I know we have a long road ahead, but right now; this feels… nice. Almost normal. But something about this quiet feel unnatural."

Dominic chuckled. "Yeah, if you ignore the fact that we’re in a mysterious realm that defies reality, it’s almost like camping."

Arden smirked, taking a bite of the cooked meat. "Enjoy the peace while it lasts. Laoyon won’t stay quiet forever."

As they finished eating, the exhaustion of the day finally caught up to them. One by one, they found a place to rest, letting the realm’s ambient energy soothe their weary bodies. The night was peaceful at first, with the trio drifting into sleep. Hours passed, and as midnight crept closer, an unsettling stillness settled over the land, warning of an impending disturbance.

The realm had no intention of letting them rest for long. Though Dominic's spell barrier concealed their presence, the scent of roasting meat and the flickering fire were enough to draw unwanted attention. A faint rustling in the underbrush hinted at unseen eyes watching, the wind carrying with it a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver through the night. The shadows between the trees seemed to deepen, shifting as if something massive lurked just beyond sight, its heavy breaths muffled by the dense foliage. Deep in the surrounding forest, a guttural snarl echoed through the trees, followed by the rhythmic stomping of heavy footsteps. Hidden among the shadows, creatures with thick, armored hides and jagged tusks prowled forward—a group of Trolls led by a Troll Raider, the relentless hunters of the deep. Their glowing eyes fixated on the trio’s resting place, and their low growls rumbled like distant thunder.

Among them, a larger, more menacing figure emerged—the Troll Maulers, the elites among the Trolls, its darkened hide scarred from countless battles. Unlike the others, its eyes burned with an eerie intelligence, scanning the campsite with a predatory patience. It raised a clawed hand, signaling the others to hold their ground, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Laoyon’s peace was about to be shattered.

Arden tensed. His senses sharpened, picking up faint disturbances in the environment—small creatures scurrying away, leaves trembling despite the absence of wind. The balance of the realm had shifted, a silent warning of the impending danger lurking in the darkness.

Leigh picked up on it too. She woke up and placed a hand on Venya’s hilt, her eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "Something’s wrong."

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Dominic, half-asleep by the fire, yawned. "What is it this time? Can't they let us have a good night's sleep?"

Arden ignored him. He closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. Then—there it was. A presence—no, multiple presences—lurking at the edge of the shadows, just beyond sight, their auras pulsing with an ominous energy.

Then came the first growl.

It was deep, guttural, vibrating through the earth like a distant drum of war. Leigh rose to her feet, gripping her sword tightly. Dominic sighed, pushing himself up. “I hate that I already know what’s coming.”

A second growl. Then a third.

Low, rumbling footsteps reverberated through the ground. Heavy bodies shifting through the trees. Pairs of glowing eyes blinked into view, watching from the darkness. They weren’t attacking yet. They were observing.

Arden’s gaze hardened. “They’re hunting us.”

Leigh’s grip on Venya tightened. “What do we do?”

Arden exhaled slowly. “Stay ready. If they test us, we show them we aren’t prey.”

The Troll Maulers moved closer. Their hulking forms emerged from the gloom, thick, armored hides catching flickers of firelight. Their jagged tusks gleamed as their lips curled into an almost amused snarl.

And then, from the depths of the forest, the Troll Raider appeared.

Larger than the others, its battle-scarred hide bore the marks of countless victories. Unlike its lesser kin, it didn’t snarl or charge. It watched. It calculated.

Then, slowly, it raised a clawed hand—a silent signal.

The Troll Maulers surrounding them halted. They would not strike yet. They were waiting. Testing their prey.

Dominic swallowed. “So… are we gonna talk this out or is this happening?”

Arden cracked his knuckles, his stance shifting slightly. He adjusted the spear he had looted from the Troll Champion, its weight unfamiliar but serviceable. His other hand gripped the sturdy wooden shield, now strapped securely to his arm. “If we don’t act, they will.”

Leigh took a slow breath. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, she dashed forward, Venya flashing under the firelight as she struck at the nearest Troll Mauler. The creature snarled and deflected her blade with its thick, armored forearm, but the force of the strike still made it stagger back.

That was all the signal Arden and Dominic needed.

Arden lunged forward next, using his spear to stab into another Troll Mauler, knocking it off balance. The creature let out a guttural snarl, staggering back as it clutched its wounded side. With a swift follow-up, Arden thrust his spear into its exposed flank, drawing a thick, dark ichor that oozed from the wound. The troll roared in pain, its massive form shuddering before it lashed out wildly, its claws swiping through the air in a desperate attempt to strike back.

Dominic spread his hands, weaving his magic as bursts of fire erupted around them, forcing the creatures back. "Alright, let’s see if these things like a little heat!"

Leigh and Dominic quickly took charge of the surrounding Troll Maulers, moving with flawless coordination. Leigh's strikes were precise and relentless, Venya glowing with every slash, cutting through the thick armor of the beasts. Dominic weaved fire and lightning through his magic, each spell aimed with calculated precision, searing through their enemies. With every enemy they defeated, their movements became more refined, their instincts sharper, their bodies adjusting to the rhythm of battle as if they had been forged for this very moment.

Meanwhile, Arden faced the Troll Raider alone, his movements fluid as he deflected its crushing blows with his shield. He countered with precise, punishing strikes from his looted spear, targeting the Troll Raider’s weak points. "Not so talkative type, are you?" he taunted. The elite hunter roared in frustration, its eyes gleaming with a mix of fury and begrudging respect as it recognized Arden as a true threat.

As the dust settled for a brief moment, Arden smirked and rolled his shoulders. "You know, exercise burns calories. At this rate, we’re going to be in the best shape of our lives."

Leigh let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "Only you would think about that in the middle of a fight."

Dominic smirked as well, launching another burst of fire at an approaching Troll Mauler. "I mean, he’s not wrong. Fighting does keep us active."

They exchanged amused glances but remained focused, their morale lifting despite the ongoing battle. With renewed energy, they pressed on, enjoying the thrill of combat as if it were second nature.

As the battle raged on, Arden finally faced the Troll Raider head-on. The beast lunged, its massive claws slashing through the air, but Arden sidestepped with ease. With a single, almost casual motion, he swung his spear in a clean arc, slicing through its thick neck in one fluid motion. The Troll Raider's head separated from its body, rolling onto the ground with a heavy thud. Its eyes still flickered with shock before the last glimmer of life faded. The now lifeless body collapsed shortly after, the once-mighty beast reduced to nothing in mere seconds.

The remaining Troll Maulers hesitated. Their morale visibly shattered as they watched their leader fall so effortlessly. Fear flickered in their glowing eyes, and within moments, they began to retreat, their snarls turning into whimpers as they disappeared into the shadows of the night.

Dominic and Leigh exchanged shocked glances, both unable to believe how easily Arden had decapitated the Troll Raider. The air was thick with tension, but Dominic, never missing an opportunity, cupped his hands around his mouth and called after the retreating Troll Maulers. "Hey! Where are you going? We’re just getting started!"

Leigh quickly smacked him on the shoulder. "Let them go, you idiot. Unless you want to fight another wave."

Dominic grinned sheepishly. "I mean, they looked like they needed a little motivation."

Arden let out a satisfied exhale, staking his spear into the ground. "Well, that was fun. Nothing like a good workout before bed."

He glanced at the spear in his hand, twirled it around skillfully to test its balance. It was his first time wielding a proper weapon like this. Back in the mountains, he had only ever used the small hunting knife Lolo Lando had made for him—a tool meant for skinning game, not cutting down enemies. The spear felt different—heavier, deadlier—but he adapted quickly, his instincts filling in the gaps where training had not.

Leigh just shook her head while Dominic chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, no more taunting. Guess that’s our first night in Laoyon wrapped up."

The battlefield crackled with power, and with their first battle behind them, the trio’s adventure in Laoyon had truly begun.

Arden stretched his arms, letting out a contented sigh. "Alright, that’s enough action for one night. We can fight more terrifying beasts tomorrow."

Leigh smirked, wiping Venya clean. "For once, I agree." She glanced at Dominic, who let out a relieved sigh and stretched his arms. "At least this time, we get some sleep without interruptions," he muttered, flashing a tired grin.

Dominic plopped down onto the mossy ground, sighing dramatically. "Finally, some well-earned sleep."

With the Troll Raider gone and the campfire still flickering, they nestled into their resting spots, knowing that the new day would bring even greater challenges. But for now, Laoyon was quiet, and they could rest at ease.