A few days passed, and the glow of the Luminorbs began to shift. Slowly, they gathered together, merging into a single, giant orb that pulsed with radiance. The lake reflected its brilliance, casting glow across the surrounding trees. Then, without warning, the massive orb dropped a rain of Glowshards.

Jeff stood at the water's edge, watching the spectacle unfold. His gaze shifted to Grimclaw. The bird’s sharp eyes followed the falling Glowshards with keen interest.

“Grimclaw, think you can catch a few of those shards for me?”

Grimclaw let out a low screech in response, stretching his powerful wings.

“Good boy, Bring them back, and toss them onto the land.”

With a swift leap, Grimclaw launched into the air, weaving through the rain of Glowshards. One by one, he snatched them in his talons.

After catching a handful, Grimclaw circled back toward the shore. Hovering above the ground, he released the shards, letting them fall gently onto the earth.

“Well done, Grimclaw,” Jeff said with a smile, walking over to inspect the shards. “You’ve got quite the skill for this.”

The eagle let out a proud cry before returning to his perch, his eyes still scanning the skies for more.

Grimclaw, his wings still outstretched, took off once more, eager to gather more Glowshards.

Meanwhile, Vieran waded into the lake, his gaze fixed on a faint outline beneath the surface. “Time to retrieve that net,” he muttered. The cool water rose around him as he swam toward the spot where he had spread the net days earlier.

Just as his hands grasped the net’s edge, he felt a sudden ripple in the water. He glanced down to see sleek, silver shapes darting toward him. Several fish swarmed around him.

One lunged at his arm, and another nipped at his leg. Vieran grimaced but kept his composure. Grimclaw, circling above, let out a sharp caw and dove lower, his wings nearly skimming the water.

“Stay back, Grimclaw!” Vieran shouted, shaking his head. “I’ve got this!”

The eagle hesitated but obeyed, flapping higher to watch from a distance. Vieran clenched his jaw and began shaking the fish off, their sharp teeth grazing his skin as he kicked and twisted. Each movement stirred the glowing water, casting ripples of light around him.

He grunted as another fish latched onto his shoulder. “Damn, they’re persistent,” he muttered, shaking it loose. His muscles burned as he pushed forward, the shore finally coming into view.

Just as he was about to reach land, something thick and rope-like coiled around his torso. Vieran froze, feeling the rough texture tighten around him. Before he could react, a massive catfish emerged from the depths behind him. The whiskers binding him pulled taut, dragging him backward.

“Vieran!” Jeff’s voice rang out. He stood on the shore, clutching an old teapot. Without hesitation, he snatched a Glowshard from the ground and pressed it against the teapot’s spout.

To Vieran's shock, the shard glowed brighter, and with a metallic hum, the teapot unleashed a beam. The beam struck the catfish, causing it to thrash in the water.

But the beast didn’t let go. The whiskers remained firmly wrapped around Vieran, dragging him further into the lake.

“Grimclaw!” Jeff shouted.

The eagle didn’t need further instruction. With a powerful screech, Grimclaw dived straight toward the struggle. His talons gleamed as he swooped down, slashing through the catfish’s whiskers in a single strike.

The tension around Vieran’s body released instantly, and he surged forward, finally reaching the shore. He collapsed onto the earth, gasping for air.

Jeff rushed to his side. “You okay?” he asked, his voice still shaky.

Vieran nodded, his breath coming in heavy bursts. “Yeah,” he said, glancing back at the lake where the catfish had retreated into the depths. “Turns out the aquatic beasts get pretty aggressive when Glowshards are involved.”

Grimclaw landed beside them, ruffling his feathers as if proud of his rescue.

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Jeff gave the eagle a grateful nod. “Good work, Grimclaw. And Vieran... We got so many shards. Do you think we can sell some?”

Vieran chuckled weakly. “Good idea.”

The rain of Glowshards began to slow, each shard landing with a soft shimmer before disappearing into the water.

Suddenly, the water emitted an encompassing light that spread outward, forming natural barrier. The barrier hugged the lake's edge, creating a protective dome.

Then, the merged Luminorbs rose gracefully. They pierced through the mist hanging heavily over the landscape. The dense veil parted, revealing a clear panorama.

Vieran and Jeff stood silently at the shore, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. The distant mountains and clear sky came into view. It was a glimpse of the world in its purest form.

They remained still, committing the sight to memory as the mist slowly began to creep back, gathering like a ghostly tide.

Jeff finally broke the silence. “You memorized where they went, right?”

Vieran nodded, his eyes still on the mist as it reclaimed the horizon. “I did.”

Jeff exhaled, a hint of weariness in his breath. “Good,” he said, lowering his gaze to the ground. “Let’s hope the next stop brings us to a community that can actually accept us.”

Vieran brushed the water from his arms and stood, his eyes still on the approaching mist. “We’ll only know what’s waiting for us once we reach the next stop. Let’s go. Beasts tend to gather where Luminorbs have been.”

Jeff adjusted his pack and nodded. “Alright.” He pulled a small lantern from his belt and tossed it lightly into the air. The lantern hovered, emitting a barrier of light, gently pushing the encroaching mist back.

Vieran’s gaze followed the floating lantern, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “You really carry a lot of magic artifacts,” he remarked, crossing his arms. “No wonder you managed to survive on your own.”

Jeff flashed a quick grin. “Didn’t I tell you? I’m no burden,” he said with a chuckle. Then, his expression softened as he glanced down. “I used to work as an assistant for an artifact analyzer. Learned a lot from him.”

“It’s a pity he didn’t make it,” Jeff said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. “He was a good guy. Gave me a lot of these artifacts before… well, before everything happened.”

Vieran’s expression shifted, his usual stoic demeanor giving way to genuine sympathy. He nodded slowly. “I’m sorry. He sounds like he was a great person.”

He understood the significance of what Jeff had lost. Magic artifacts were rare, appearing only when a Lightseeker passed away. In a way, each artifact was a fragment of the Lightseeker’s essence. To receive such artifacts was more than a gift, it was an honor.

Jeff nodded. “Yeah, he was a great guy.”

Jeff gathered the Glowshards scattered on the ground. One by one, he placed them into a small ransel resting at his feet. The bag seemed ordinary at first glance, but as he continued to pack it with Glowshards and other supplies, it became clear that its capacity far exceeded its size.

“Another magic artifact?” Vieran asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched.

Jeff smirked. “You bet. This little guy can hold more than it looks. Handy, huh?” He gave the ransel a light pat before slinging it over his shoulder.

Grimclaw, perched nearby, let out a soft caw and hopped onto Vieran’s shoulder. The eagle’s sharp talons gripped lightly, his head swiveling as he scanned the surroundings.

Vieran glanced at the bird but didn’t seem to mind the added weight. “Comfortable up there?” he muttered, earning a low trill from Grimclaw.

With their preparations complete, the two set off. Their surroundings grew quieter as they ventured further, the glow of the lantern cutting through the encroaching mist. Grimclaw occasionally ruffled his feathers, his sharp gaze ever-watchful for signs of danger.

Their journey remained uneventful, thanks to Grimclaw’s navigation. The world around them was cloaked in the ever-present black mist. Visibility was reduced to mere feet ahead, with the faint glow of Jeff’s lantern barely piercing through the gloom.

Grimclaw's head swiveled, sharp eyes scanning the mist, but it was his hearing that truly guided them. The eagle’s enhanced senses picked up the subtle shifts in the mist, like the faint padding of paws, distant growls, or the rustling of unseen creatures.

At one point, Grimclaw’s feathers fluffed, and he let out a low, urgent caw. His head tilted toward the left, where the sound of low snarls echoed faintly.

Jeff froze mid-step, gripping the strap of his ransel. “What now?” he whispered.

“Phantom beasts,” Vieran murmured, his eyes narrowing as he strained to see through the darkness. The pack’s growls and soft padding were faint but distinct, moving closer.

Grimclaw spread his wings slightly, signaling them to change course. Vieran gave a quick nod. “This way,” he said, leading them to the right.

They moved quietly, their steps careful to avoid dry leaves and branches that might give them away. Jeff’s lantern dimmed even further, casting just enough light to keep them from stumbling, but not enough to attract unwanted attention.

Minutes passed like hours as they crept through the mist. Grimclaw’s head remained on a swivel, his sharp ears tuned to the fading sounds of the beast pack. Finally, his feathers smoothed, and he cawed softly, indicating the danger had passed.

Relieved but weary, they pressed on for hours until exhaustion finally caught up with them.

Jeff placed the lantern on the ground, its protective light forming a dome-like barrier that pushed back the darkness just enough to give them a space.

Vieran sat heavily on a moss-covered rock. He glanced at Grimclaw. “You’ve done enough for now. Take a break.”

Grimclaw hopped down, but instead of settling, the eagle cawed and flapped his wings, motioning toward Vieran.

“You want me to rest?” Vieran asked, raising an eyebrow.

Grimclaw responded with another decisive caw.

Vieran sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Alright, fine. I’ll rest for a bit,” he said, leaning back against the rock and closing his eyes. “But just for a while. After that, I’ll take my turn keeping watch.”

Grimclaw let out a satisfied trill and looked around, his sharp eyes never leaving the mist as Vieran allowed himself a brief moment of rest.