While the others slept peacefully, Grey remained awake, his thoughts a restless tide. The steady rise and fall of Tear and Serene’s breathing filled the room, a comforting rhythm that contrasted with the turmoil in his mind. The faint crackle of the hearth provided the only other sound, its warm light flickering across the walls.

Grey knew he couldn’t rest—not yet. His recent transformation was a mystery he had yet to unravel, and he hadn’t had a moment to test the depths of his newfound strength. Most importantly, he hadn’t stepped into his mental space since his breakthrough, and now, with the quiet of the night around him, the chance had come.

Closing his eyes, Grey focused inward. His mind settled, and soon the familiar star-ridden expanse appeared before him, vast and shimmering.

But something was different.

His gaze swept over the floating orbs, those representations of auras he had come to recognize. They were smaller now, significantly so. Even Tear’s, which had once loomed over him, now stood at his height.

No, not smaller—Grey realized with a start—it was him. His form had grown, much larger than before. His perspective shifted, the boundaries of the space expanding as he took it in. He could see further now, past the layers of orange nodes of light that floated in soft constellations around him. In the far distance, faint yellow nodes twinkled like distant suns, barely visible but undeniably there.

Curiosity pulled at him. He hadn’t touched one of the nodes in a long time. Back then, doing so had intensified its color while dimming the others, a phenomenon that could’ve hindered him during the Grand Hunt. In the wild, where danger lurked in every shadow, missing a sign of another creature—or worse, a person—could have been fatal.

But now… now things were different. Grey suspected the intensity and hue of the nodes corresponded to resources, or perhaps even power. If he could learn to focus on them, perhaps he could turn this ability into an asset rather than a risk.

The thought made his silver eyes narrow in determination. The Grand Hunt had shown how brutal the world could be, and the strangers who had appeared—along with the voice that had shaken even the sky—left no doubt in Grey’s mind. They needed to grow stronger. All of them.

His gaze shifted downward, and his breath caught. The golden pool beneath him had expanded greatly, its shimmering surface now encompassing the faint echoes of his friends’ auras. The pool, once a steady trickle, was now filling at a visible pace.

Brawl’s power was still feeding into it, a slow but consistent stream. But something else had changed. At the center of the pool, a smooth, stronger current of energy was rising—from Grey himself.

Grey crouched at the edge of the pool, his reflection faintly visible in the golden surface. This was a boon, no doubt, but not one that shocked him. Still, the potential was undeniable. If this stream grew, it could become something far greater.

“If I could evolve everyone in the village,” Grey mused aloud, his voice echoing faintly in the vast space, “could they help increase the source?”

The thought was tantalizing but distant. Keen hadn’t undergone a transformation that contributed to Grey’s space, but what if the three hundred villagers advanced together? What if the entire village could—

Grey shook his head, waving the thought away. It was too ambitious, too far from anything feasible. For now, it was nothing more than a dream.

He straightened, his silver eyes glinting with resolve. One more thing needed testing.

“Hello!” he called, his voice resonating across the pool of stars. The sound carried far, rippling through the space like a stone dropped into still water.

Silence followed, vast and oppressive.

“Please!” Grey tried again, his tone firmer, almost pleading. “I know you’re here! Say something… anything!”

Moments passed, and just as Grey was about to give up, a faint rumble began to spread through the space. The ripples grew stronger, converging toward him as if carried by some distant force.

A voice emerged, deep and resonant, yet layered with an ancient weariness. “I’m glad you’re alive.”

Grey froze, the weight of those words sinking into him. The voice—it was the same one that had guided him during his trial.

“You have tasted the Will of Beasts through me,” the voice continued, its tone benevolent yet strained, as if every syllable was a great effort. “Learn the Will… and your own abilities…”

The final word faded, replaced by a sound that could only be described as a pained grunt. Whatever entity spoke was struggling fiercely, its presence flickering like a dying flame.

Grey stepped forward instinctively, his voice urgent. “Wait! What do you mean? Who are you?”

The voice returned, fragmented and raw, forcing out its final words. “Danger… in… distance…”

The last syllable echoed faintly before fading entirely, leaving only the vast silence of the starry expanse.

Grey’s fists clenched at his sides. The voice’s warning hung heavy in his mind, the meaning clear even in its brevity. Whatever danger lay ahead, it was coming closer.

He exhaled slowly, his resolve hardening. There was no time to waste.

Grey’s silver eyes snapped to one of the distant orange lights in the vast expanse of his mental space. It shimmered faintly, a faint beacon in the endless starscape. Without hesitation, he reached out, gripping one of the ethereal branches leading toward it. The connection was faint but steady, tethering him to the furthest orb from his center: Keen’s.

In an instant, the stars around him shifted, and he stood beside the orb. Its faint pulse of light illuminated his massive figure, glowing faintly with the orange hue that now seemed to course through him.

Without hesitation, he began to walk.

Each step carried him closer to the next orb, and though the journey taxed him, it wasn’t like before. The overwhelming exhaustion that had once plagued him during these traversals was diminished. His body, larger and stronger now, absorbed the strain with ease.

He advanced toward the orb—one smaller than his own form, but brighter in color, pulsing faintly in the distance. As he neared, a whisper of fatigue crept into his form, but Grey pushed forward, his glowing figure unwavering. Finally, he reached out and touched the orb.

The moment his fingers made contact, a jolt surged through him.

He didn’t notice the effect at first, but in that instant, every ounce of energy from the golden pool drained away. It vanished like water spilling through his fingers, leaving the once-brimming reservoir empty.

Grey gasped as his consciousness snapped back to the waking world. His vision spun for a moment before settling, and when it did, he froze.

Before him, wavering like a fragile thread in the air, was a faint golden line. It was impossibly thin, shimmering as if made of liquid light, and it stretched away from the comfortable warmth of the hearth.

Grey’s breath caught as he stared at the faint golden thread swaying gently in the air, its shimmer so delicate it seemed like it might vanish if he looked away. It wasn’t like the familiar yellow hues of aura he had tracked before. This was something entirely different—a light reminiscent of his golden pool.

What is this? he wondered, leaning slightly closer, as if proximity might offer clarity. The thread waved, undisturbed by the stillness of the room, and stretched outward toward the unseen beyond.

Curiosity stirred, mingled with caution. Grey didn’t know what to make of it. His thoughts raced, seeking explanations. Could it be connected to his transformation? Was it some extension of his new abilities? Or… was it leading to something?

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The idea emerged slowly, tentative at first, but gaining weight as he considered the thread’s ethereal pull. Is it showing me something valuable? A resource? Or…

His silver eyes narrowed, the faintest flicker of dread creeping in. Could it lead to the monster?

The thought jarred him, and his voice rose in a whisper. “That’s—no, it can’t be—”

Behind him, Serene stirred at the sound, her soft murmur breaking the stillness. “Mmm…”

Grey turned sharply, the golden thread momentarily forgotten as Serene shifted under the blanket. Her eyes cracked open, heavy with sleep, and she yawned quietly, her voice groggy. “Grey? Wha—” She trailed off, blinking as she took in the faint glow of the hearthlight and Grey’s tense figure.

She glanced toward the wooden door, noting the darkness outside. “It’s still night,” she whispered, her brow furrowing. “What are you doing? Did you even sleep?”

Grey hesitated, his gaze darting between her and the golden thread still swaying faintly in the corner of his vision. “I couldn’t,” he admitted after a moment. “There’s… something I needed to check.”

“Something?” Serene’s voice sharpened slightly, her emerald eyes narrowing as she sat up, careful not to disturb Tear. “What’s going on, Grey? You’re acting strange.”

He opened his mouth to explain, then stopped. How could he put into words what he was seeing? The golden thread, the faint pull it exerted, the questions it raised—it all felt so unreal, like trying to describe a dream.

“Just…” he began, faltering. “Something’s changed. I don’t know what it means yet, but—”

Serene straightened, her worry evident now. “Grey.” Her tone was firmer, more insistent. “You’re not about to go running off again, are you? Not in the middle of the night.”

Grey sighed, his silver eyes softening as he looked at her. “No. I’m not running off,” he said quietly. “But… there’s something here, something I need to understand. It could be important for all of us.”

Her frown deepened as her gaze flicked to Tear, still sleeping peacefully. “And you’re going to figure it out alone?”

He hesitated, her words cutting deeper than he expected. “I—”

The golden thread pulsed again, faint but insistent, tugging at his awareness like a distant whisper. He glanced back at it, his curiosity burning brighter now. The possibilities buzzed in his mind—was it pointing him toward more resources? Something tied to the mysterious energy of his pool? Or a warning?

He clenched his fists, debating his next move. The thought of waking Keen or Elder crossed his mind—maybe they could help decipher this. But the strain of the past few days weighed on him, and his exhaustion was undeniable. If this thread truly led to something critical, he’d need his strength.

Serene’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Grey, whatever it is, figure it out tomorrow,” she said, softer this time. “You’ll need your head clear if it’s as important as you think.”

He met her gaze, then let out a slow breath, his shoulders easing. “You’re right.”

Serene nodded, her emerald eyes softening as she settled back under the blanket. “Good. Now, get some rest.”

Grey hesitated, his silver eyes darting toward the small bed. Tear was already curled up at one end, her small form bundled tightly in a patchwork of thick pelts, her turquoise hair peeking out in a tangle. The idea of squeezing onto the same bed with Serene felt… awkward, unfamiliar, and strange in a way he couldn’t quite name.

“You’re not going to sit on the ground all night,” Serene said, breaking his hesitation. Her voice was steady, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her own uncertainty. She shifted slightly, pulling her blanket closer as she made room. “There’s enough space.”

Grey frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on the floor. “I’m fine there. It’s warm enough.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she muttered, the firmness in her tone faltering slightly. “You’ll freeze.”

The faint crackle of the hearth filled the silence as Grey debated. Finally, with a quiet sigh, he relented, easing himself onto the farthest edge of the bed as if it might swallow him whole. The pelts were warm, and the proximity to Tear’s soft breaths reminded him how cold the air had been moments ago.

Serene stayed turned to the side, her back toward him, though she seemed tense under her blanket. “It’s not like there’s anything strange about it,” she said quietly, her voice half-muffled by the fur.

Grey glanced at her and grunted faintly. “I didn’t say there was.”

Tear, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, shifted in her sleep, stretching out her arm and draping it over Grey’s chest. He stiffened for a moment, glancing at Serene, who peeked over her shoulder, her emerald eyes catching the flicker of firelight.

Her lips twitched as if holding back a smile. “Well, looks like she’s settled things.”

Grey huffed softly, shaking his head. “Always has to be in charge, doesn’t she?”

Her lips twitched as if holding back a smile. “Well, looks like she’s settled things.”

Grey huffed softly, shaking his head. “Always has to be in charge, doesn’t she?”

Serene chuckled quietly, her tension easing as she shifted slightly under the blanket. The warmth of the room, combined with the soft crackle of the hearth and Tear’s gentle breathing, began to lull them both into a shared stillness.

For a while, neither of them spoke, the silence settling comfortably between them. Grey let his head rest against the wooden wall behind him, his silver eyes growing heavy as he stared at the flickering shadows cast by the firelight. The weight of the day, of everything they had learned and endured, finally began to ebb.

Serene’s breathing softened, evening out into the quiet rhythm of sleep. Tear snuggled deeper into the pelts, her small arm still draped across Grey’s chest.

For the first time in what felt like weeks, Grey allowed his body to relax fully. The room, the warmth, the company—it felt safe.

His eyes drifted closed, and sleep claimed him.

Grey wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the sound of a door creaking open pulled him from his slumber. He blinked groggily, his silver eyes adjusting to the faint light of early dawn spilling into the room.

“Grey. Serene.” A familiar voice broke through the quiet—Carver, Serene’s father, stood in the doorway, his expression firm but warm. “The ceremony to name the new Elder will begin soon. Get ready.”

Serene stirred beside Grey, her eyelids fluttering open as she stretched under the heavy blankets. Tear mumbled something incoherent, curling tighter into her cocoon of pelts.

Carver’s lips twitched, caught between a smile and a stern look. “Tear too,” he added with a pointed glance. “Elder doesn’t like latecomers.”

Grey pushed himself upright, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The room was already cooler, the fire reduced to glowing embers. “We’ll be ready,” he said quietly, his voice steady but still thick with sleep.

As Carver closed the door with a soft click, Serene sighed, sitting up and running a hand through her hair. “Guess we don’t have much of a choice,” she muttered, her cheeks faintly pink as she avoided looking directly at Grey.

Tear stirred, letting out a small groan as she rolled over and buried her face deeper into the pelts. “Too early…” she mumbled, her voice muffled and thick with sleep.

Serene chuckled softly, tugging the blanket off of Tear’s head. “Come on, sleepyhead. If we’re late, Elder will make us regret it.”

Tear groaned louder, swatting weakly at Serene’s hand. “Tell him I’m already a savior of the village. That should get me a few more minutes of sleep.”

Grey smirked, standing and stretching his stiff limbs. “Pretty sure that won’t work, Tear. He already knows, he is the one teaching us after all.”

Tear peeked up at him with one half-open eye, pouting. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Not this time,” Grey replied, ruffling her messy turquoise hair. “Up. Now.”

Grumbling, Tear finally sat up, rubbing her eyes. Serene handed her a spare cloak from the corner of the room, and the younger girl wrapped herself in it like a cocoon, glaring at the two older teens.

Within a few minutes, the three of them were bundled against the cold and stepping out into the crisp morning air. The faint light of dawn was beginning to crest over the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow-dappled village. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the quiet hum of early risers moving about could be heard in the distance.

Tear, still half-asleep, leaned heavily against Serene as they walked. “Do you think he’s already picked someone?” she asked through a yawn.

“Everyone’s thinking it’ll be Keen,” Serene added, her gaze flicking toward the tall, sharp-featured figure standing near the front of the crowd. “It makes sense. He’s been with Elder the longest.”

“Yeah, but…” Tear hesitated, looking up at Grey. “Do you think it might be Brawl? He’s strong too.”

Grey’s expression didn’t shift, but his thoughts churned. “Brawl’s come a long way,” he said, his voice measured. “But leadership isn’t just about strength. Elder would want someone who can think clearly under pressure, someone who can protect the village in more ways than one.”

“And you think that’s Keen?” Serene asked, glancing at him.

Grey gave a slight nod. “Most likely. Elder’s been grooming him for it, whether the rest of the village has noticed or not.”

“What if Brawl challenges him?” Tear asked suddenly, her voice quiet but curious.

Serene gave a faint smile. “Brawl’s not like that anymore. He and Keen have been working together for a long time now. They’re friends.”

Tear hummed, tilting her head. “Still, he’s so big… it’s hard not to think he’d want to be in charge.”

Grey didn’t respond immediately, his gaze shifting to the Elder, who stood on the platform at the center of the square. The old man’s presence was commanding even in the quiet stillness of the morning, his weathered face illuminated by the soft light of dawn. His necklace—the symbol of his role—caught the first rays of sunlight, its intricate design reflecting a faint golden glow.

As Elder raised a hand, the murmurs and whispers died down, the crowd falling into a tense silence. Tear shifted closer to Serene, her wide turquoise eyes fixed on the platform.

Elder’s voice carried effortlessly over the square, deep and steady despite his age. “The time has come.”

The village seemed to hold its breath, the stillness stretching unbearably. Even the faint rustle of the wind in the trees quieted, as if the very world was waiting for what would come next.