Training Cohort Eighteen stood at the gates of Cremoor, their horses restless beneath them, the sun high in the sky as they listened to the instructions of one of their senior instructors, a stern woman named Master Darra. She was a follower of Strategos, the God of Tactics. Her dark, leather armor gleamed in the sunlight as she stood before them, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning each of their faces as she spoke.

"Your task is simple," Darra said, her voice firm. "The village of Ravenspire has been reporting missing villagers and livestock over the past few weeks. It’s likely some beast that has grown too bold and powerful for the local hunters to handle. Based on the reports, it’s either a high Degree Acolyte-ranked beast or, at worst, a low Degree Acolyte-ranked one. With your combined skills, this should be a straightforward hunt. The villagers are expecting you, and they’ll guide you to the areas where the disappearances occurred."

She stepped back, her gaze hardening as she added, "However, do not underestimate this task. Stay sharp. Return as soon as the beast is dealt with, and don’t take unnecessary risks. Understood?"

The group nodded in unison. Quin, Zach, Cal, Sam, and Westin all exchanged glances. This was their first real task outside of the city—an opportunity to prove their strength and growing teamwork.

"Dismissed. Ride safe," Darra said, turning away, her cape billowing slightly as she strode back toward the city.

Quin tightened his grip on the reins of his horse, Albert. It was his first journey with the steed since they had bonded, and the excitement mixed with nerves thrummed through him as they began their ride. Albert was a proud warhorse, his dark coat shimmering as he moved with strength and purpose. Zach's horse, Thunder, was a massive, almost intimidating black stallion with a scar across its shoulder, while Cal rode a more agile brown mare named Mistral, known for her speed and nimbleness. Sam’s horse, Boulder, was a powerful gray steed, sturdy and calm, while Westin rode Echo, a sleek white horse with quick, graceful movements, suited for a scout like Westin.

When Quin had learned the names of his companion’s horses he was jealous for a brief moment. Why didn’t his horse have an epic name? He then shrugged it off as he liked Albert. His companions however did not shrug it off. They teased him relentlessly about Albert’s name despite him telling them that he did not choose it.

“Imagine the stories about the great Chosen One Quin, follower of the sun, and his great war horse Albert!” Westin laughed. The others joined him while Quin just shook his head and patted Albert, reassuring him that he liked him.

As they rode out of the gates and into the open countryside, the road stretched ahead of them, winding through fields and hills. Quin glanced at Albert, feeling the warhorse’s steady gait beneath him.

"This is my first real journey with Albert," Quin said, his voice a mix of pride and anticipation.

Zach smirked from atop Thunder. "First of many, I’m sure. These horses are bred for battle and endurance. They’ll get us through whatever’s waiting in Ravenspire."

The journey to the village was uneventful, the sun casting warm light over the land as they made their way through the hills and valleys. It was a good day for a ride, but tension simmered beneath the surface as they neared the village. Each of them knew that what lay ahead could be more than just a simple hunt.

By mid-afternoon, the village of Ravenspire came into view. It was a small settlement nestled against the edge of a dark forest, with simple wooden homes scattered along a dirt path that led deeper into the trees. As they approached, a well-built man with a broad chest and muscular arms stepped out from one of the homes, waving to them. He wore simple clothes, dirt-stained from what was likely farm work, and his weathered face bore the signs of a hard life.

"Welcome, welcome!" the man called as they rode up. "Name’s Harlon. We’ve been waiting for you." He looked relieved to see them, though a hint of worry still creased his brow. "Come, let me show you where the livestock disappeared. It’s been a damned mess these past few weeks."

The group dismounted, and Harlon led them toward the edge of the village, gesturing toward the tree line where the forest loomed dark and foreboding. "A few sheep went missing from this area last week," Harlon explained, pointing to a small, fenced pasture. "We found what was left of them near the edge of the woods, torn up pretty bad. Then a couple of days ago, one of our hunters disappeared. He went out alone, said he’d track whatever was doing this, but he never came back."

Quin glanced at the others, all of them sharing the same thought. This beast was not at the Initiate Rank, a hunter may have been able to handle as much.

"We’ll head into the forest to track it down," Zach said, glancing at Harlon. "Can the village look after our horses while we’re gone? We’d rather not take them into the woods."

Harlon nodded. "Of course. We’ll make sure they’re taken care of. You focus on bringing that monster down."

With that settled, the group handed over the reins to Harlon and his fellow villagers, leaving their warhorses in capable hands. The forest stretched out before them, its thick canopy casting long shadows even in the afternoon light. Quin adjusted his grip on his sword, and the group moved into formation as they began their hunt.

Hours passed as they prowled the dense woods, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. They had been moving cautiously, scanning for any sign of the beast, when Zach, who had been scouting ahead, raised a hand. "Over here."

The group moved forward and found several carcasses of smaller forest creatures—rabbits, a fox—torn apart and left in brutal disarray. Their injuries were vicious, the telltale signs of something far stronger than a mere animal.

Zach crouched down beside one of the bodies, his brow furrowing. "This isn’t the work of an Acolyte-ranked beast. It’s too clean. Too efficient."

Sam stood beside him, her face serious. "No Acolyte beast could kill like this. We're likely dealing with a middle Degree Disciple-ranked beast."

Cal, looking grim, called the group together. "Do we turn back for reinforcements? Or keep pushing forward?"

There was a tense silence as the group weighed their options. The prudent thing would be to return to Cremoor for more experienced help. But the idea of leaving the villagers unprotected, knowing another person could be killed in their absence, gnawed at them.

Zach was the first to speak. "If we turn back, there’s no guarantee we’ll be back in time to prevent more deaths. We’re trained for this. If we wait, another villager might die."

Sam nodded, her voice firm. "We can handle this. If we leave now, someone else could pay the price."

Quin glanced at the others, seeing the determination in their eyes. His own hesitation faded as he realized they were right. They couldn’t turn back now.

Cal, ever the strategist, clenched his jaw before calling out their formation. "Alright. Tighten up. Defensive wedge. Zach, keep scouting ahead, and be ready to fall back at the first sign of movement."

The group moved into formation, hearts pounding as they pressed deeper into the forest, the air growing colder and more oppressive the further they ventured. Whatever lurked in these woods was more dangerous than they had first anticipated, but they were determined to see it through, no matter the cost.

The group followed the trail of blood deeper into the forest until they reached a ravine nestled between two hills. The jagged cliffs formed a narrow passage that seemed almost too still, too quiet. The ground was slick with blood, the dark stains leading directly into the ravine. Quin, Zach, Cal, Sam, and Westin all readied their weapons, nerves on edge as they approached.

Just as they were about to move into the ravine, a deep, rumbling growl echoed through the narrow space, vibrating the very ground beneath them. The air grew heavy, thick with the presence of something far more powerful than they had anticipated. They all froze as a massive creature emerged from the shadows of the ravine.

The beast was enormous, standing on four muscular legs, its body covered in thick, coarse black fur that seemed to ripple with raw power. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced through the gloom, locked onto them with a terrifying intensity. Jagged, bone-like spikes jutted from its back and shoulders, and its mouth was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, dripping with the blood of its recent kills. Its head was shaped like a massive, predatory wolf’s, but its body was far larger, almost bear-like in its proportions, with claws that looked like they could rip through steel. This was no ordinary beast—this was a Shadowmaw, a High Degree Disciple-ranked beast known for its brutality and strength.

Cal's eyes went wide as the creature stepped forward, its growl deepening into a bone-chilling roar. "Shit!" Cal cursed, stepping back instinctively. "That thing’s no low-ranked beast—it’s a Shadowmaw! High Degree Disciple-ranked! We're in deep shit!"

Quin felt the oppressive weight of the beast’s aura wash over him, his senses confirming Cal’s assessment. This thing was far beyond anything they had anticipated. "He's right. It’s too strong," Quin said, tightening his grip on his broadsword.

Cal, the leader in moments of crisis, shouted, "Retreat! Formation, now!" He quickly called for the group to pull back, trying to put some distance between them and the charging beast.

But the Shadowmaw had no intention of letting them escape. Its roar shook the forest, and in an instant, it charged, its massive body tearing through the underbrush with terrifying speed.

"It’s too late!" Quin shouted as the ground seemed to tremble beneath them. "It’s coming—brace for impact!"

Cal’s eyes darted around, and with a sharp flick of his hand, he activated his spell. Preemptive Barrier, green force fields materialized in front of the group, forming a protective shield just as the creature closed the distance.

Zach took up the position of vanguard, shouldering his way to the front, planting his feet firmly in the ground. His shield glowed red with spirit as he activated his ability, Guardian’s Resolve. Then he activated his Oath of Valor.

"I will protect my allies and slay this beast in the name of Valor!" he bellowed, his voice filled with the righteous fury of his devotion to Valor. His body was flooded with spirit as every aspect of his was enhanced due to his oath.

Quin, feeling the beast’s strength and knowing what was coming, activated Luminary Empowerment. Sunlight began to swirl around him, strengthening his body, and his skin glowed with a radiant sheen as he summoned his next defense, Radiant Shield. A golden aura enveloped his body, protecting him like armor, the light of Solarius himself surrounding him.

"Using Justicar’s Gaze!" Sam called out, his eyes glowing brown as he focused the divine judgment of Justicar on the beast, attempting to slow and confuse it. But the Shadowmaw barely flinched, its mind too primal, too enraged to be affected by the ability based on the morals of the target.

Westin cast Prismatic Burst, his hand flashing with elemental energy as he sent a burst of fire toward the creature. The spell struck the Shadowmaw, but the flames barely singed its thick fur, doing little more than angering it further.

The beast slammed into Cal's green shields with such force that they shattered instantly, the barrier disintegrating like glass. Its charge continued directly in Zach who had his shield raised and his body braced. The two collided, Zach was knocked off his feet and sent flying, his body crashing hard into a tree with a sickening thud. He groaned in pain, dazed from the impact.

Quin reacted immediately, swinging his broadsword in a wide arc, the golden light of his empowerment trailing behind it as it collided with the beast’s side. His blade cut into the Shadowmaw’s flesh, but only barely—it was like slicing into stone. The creature let out a furious growl, its glowing eyes locking onto Quin as it swung one massive paw toward him.

Quin raised his sword just in time, but the force of the blow knocked him back several feet, his boots skidding across the forest floor as he struggled to regain his balance. His golden aura flickered but held.

Westin quickly unleashed two more Prismatic Bursts, this time a fiery bolt followed by a shard of stone. The fire barely singed the beast’s fur again, but the stone slammed into its side, causing the creature to grunt in pain, its attention shifting toward Westin.

The Shadowmaw roared and lunged at Westin, claws outstretched, but before it could reach him, Sam rushed in with his mace raised high. Sam activated Judgment Strike, bringing the weapon down with a heavy thud onto the beast’s head. The blow was enough to stagger the Shadowmaw, forcing it back a few steps.

The beast snarled, momentarily stunned, but its attention shifted from Westin to Sam. Its eyes narrowed, and it lunged at Sam with renewed fury. Sam was forced onto the defensive, his shield barely holding up as the creature’s massive claws rained down on him, each strike reverberating through the air with bone-crushing force.

Quin gritted his teeth, watching Sam struggle under the onslaught. They had wounded the beast, but barely. The Shadowmaw wasn’t going to back down, and unless they found a way to end this quickly, they’d be dispatched one by one before being killed.

Cal fired an arrow with precision, the shaft whistling through the air toward the beast, but the Shadowmaw was too fast. It swatted the arrow away with a casual flick of its massive paw, its glowing yellow eyes returning to Sam, who was off balance from a previous attack.

Before the creature could land its lethal strike on Sam, Zach, who had been knocked down earlier, surged back to his feet. Zach used Righteous Charge, his body glowing with the red light spirit as he sprinted toward Sam. He reached his friend just in time, bringing his shield up to block the blow of the Shadowmaw while using his body to push Sam out of the way. The Shadowmaw's claws came crashing down on Zach's shield, but Zach activated Shield of the Virtuous, absorbing the brunt of the impact. The force, however, was immense, and Zach was driven to the ground, his shield barely holding on as the beast pressed down with its full strength.

Quin, seeing Zach in danger, sprinted forward, his broadsword glowing with the energy of his Luminary Empowerment. He swung with all his might, aiming to cleave into the beast’s side. But the Shadowmaw was too quick, leaping back with a snarl as Quin’s blade cut through the empty air where it had stood just moments before.

"We need to break out all the stops!" Cal shouted from the rear. "All or nothing!"

The group understood the gravity of the situation, and their focus sharpened. Westin was the first to act, casting Kaleidoscope Shield. A shimmering barrier of multi-colored light sprang up around each of them, offering a layer of defense against the monstrous creature. Without pausing, Westin unleashed Colorful Chaos, sending a flurry of disorienting light toward the Shadowmaw, attempting to confuse it. The creature hesitated, its glowing eyes flickering as it struggled to focus.

Westin quickly followed with Whimsical Wildfire, casting flames along the ground to box the beast in. The enchanted fire spread rapidly, creating a ring of bright, unpredictable flames that nipped at the Shadowmaw’s heels. The beast roared in fury, trying to avoid the creeping fire as it closed in on the group.

Cal, using his Strategic Grid, green spirit spread across the ground in a checkered pattern. Cal surveyed the battlefield, his mind calculating every move the beast could make. His Tactical Insight flared to life, allowing him to predict the next move of their deadly foe. His eyes widened as he realized the beast’s intent. "Quin, defend! It's coming for you!"

Quin barely had time to react before the beast lunged at him. He raised his broadsword just in time, blocking the beast’s claws with the flat of his blade. But the sheer force of the blow sent him flying backward, crashing into the dirt with a grunt, his golden aura from Radiant Shield flickering.

Zach, bloodied but determined, rose to his feet and charged forward with a grimace of pain. Imbuing spirit into his sword through Valor’s Smite, his sword glowing as he brought it down on the creature’s side. The blade cut into the beast, but not deeply enough to stop it. The Shadowmaw turned with frightening speed and lashed out, its claws catching Zach across the chest. He cried out as blood splattered the ground, stumbling back, his tunic torn and his body wounded.

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Cal and Westin immediately provided covering fire—Cal shooting arrows with deadly precision while Westin sent out Prismatic Bursts, one after another. The enchanted flames from Westin’s Whimsical Wildfire crept closer to the beast’s legs, causing it to roar in pain as the fire scorched its skin. The Shadowmaw moved forward, desperate to escape the fire’s bite.

Sam, seeing Zach retreating and the beast gaining ground, stepped forward with newfound resolve. He activated Edict of Justice and, with a powerful voice, began to recite from the Book of Ideals, his words resonating through the battlefield. "Courage. Face fear head-on. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the will to act despite it. The light calls upon those who stand firm in the face of overwhelming odds, unshaken by the darkness."

As the words left his lips, a brown dome emerged from Sam’s mace, covering the battlefield. Although the words were meant to activate Sam’s spell, the rest of the group felt a surge of inspiration. The words of the Book of Ideals filled their minds, reminding them of their purpose, of who they were striving to become. Ideas and ideals that the group had argued about and spoke about long into each night after practice came back to them. They weren’t just fighting for themselves—they were fighting for the village, for the people who depended on them to survive. This was just the first step on their journey to become the ultimate warriors of the Light Pantheon while holding themselves to a higher standard than all others. They could not fail.

With the Shadowmaw momentarily slowed by Sam’s proclamation, he attempted to follow up with Judgment Strike, swinging his mace at the creature’s head. But the beast was faster, dodging the attack and slamming Sam backward with a swipe of its paw. Sam skidded across the ground, winded but still determined.

Realizing he had no choice but to go all out, Sam activated The Laws of Justicar, reciting the Law of Proportional Retribution. "Punishments must be proportional to the offense, neither exceeding nor falling short of what is deserved. Excessive punishment is as unjust as leniency." The spell activated, a shimmering aura surrounding Sam, reflecting the next attack the beast would land on him back upon the attacker.

With a deep breath, Sam charged forward, knowing he had to endure the pain to strike a blow. The Shadowmaw, enraged by the fire and injuries it had suffered, slashed at him again with its claws. The blow landed, but instead of tearing into Sam’s flesh, the damage was reflected onto the beast. It roared in fury as deep gashes appeared along its side, bleeding profusely.

The creature, maddened by the reflected wounds, launched a full-on assault, clawing at Sam with everything it had. Each strike was defended against as Sam moved like a seasoned warrior, but Sam’s strength was wavering, he could only hold out for so long. Eventually, one strike broke through his defense, claws raking across his side, leaving him bloodied and stumbling.

But the beast, wounded and enraged, had taken significant damage from the Law of Proportional Retribution. It roared, its body heaving as it staggered, the combined efforts of Cohort Eighteen beginning to take their toll as each spell or strike that landed was slowly bleeding the creature to death.

Seeing the beast faltering after Sam's reflected attack, Cal seized the opportunity. His eyes glowed with determination as he activated Strategic Strike, calculating the beast's weakened state and its exposed vulnerabilities. A beam of green energy shot out from Cal’s position, materializing a half meter away from the Shadowmaw. The energy blasted directly into the creature’s eye, blinding it on one side. The beast roared in fury, thrashing in pain as it tried to shake off the searing strike.

Quin followed up with a devastating Solar Flare. The golden energy gathered and then surged from his outstretched hand, hitting the beast square in its side, causing it to stagger further.

Westin, who had been firing Prismatic Bursts with little effect, decided it was time for something stronger. He summoned his Imaginative Arsenal, visualizing a ranged weapon. The air around him shimmered as the spell took form—a crossbow-like contraption with multiple barrels, each loaded with jagged shards of prismatic crystal. The weapon looked unlike anything Quin had ever seen, the multicolored crystals gleaming with chaotic energy. Westin aimed carefully and fired.

The shards shot out in a rapid burst, each glowing with a different element—fire, earth, lightning, and ice. They slammed into the beast, exploding on impact and tearing through its thick fur and flesh. The creature howled in pain, blood pouring from its wounds. Though it was not enough to incapacitate the beast, the damage was severe, and it spun around with a roar, its gaze now fixed on Westin.

Before anyone could react, the Shadowmaw charged, breaking through the shields Westin and Cal had created between it and Westin. It was fast—too fast for Westin to dodge or defend himself. The beast was almost upon him when Zach, despite his injuries, let out a guttural shout and activated Righteous Charge once again. He threw himself in front of Westin, shield raised.

But the effort wasn’t enough. The beast’s claws smashed into Zach’s shield, shattering it with brute force. The impact sent both Zach and Westin sprawling, blood splattering the forest floor as they crashed into the ground. Zach cried out in pain, his body crumpling as he tried to protect Westin, who was knocked unconscious on impact. The Whimsical Fires that had been restricting the beast's movements flickered and vanished as Westin lay motionless.

The beast, bloodied and enraged, turned toward Cal, who was frantically casting more shields to protect himself. But it was no use. The Shadowmaw tore through each shield like paper, its sheer power overwhelming the magical defenses. Cal called out for help as the beast charged him, but Quin and Sam were already on their way, sprinting toward their comrade.

Cal activated Tactical Insight, his eyes darting as he anticipated the beast's movements. He managed to dodge two powerful swipes, narrowly avoiding being torn apart. He backpedaled furiously, but the creature was relentless. Quin fired off another Solar Flare, but the beast merely shrugged it off, as if the attack was no more than a sting.

With a deafening roar, the beast backhanded Cal, sending him crashing into a tree. His body hit the trunk with a sickening crack, and he collapsed to the ground, blood streaming from a deep gash across his forehead. Quin could tell from the way Cal lay slumped that he was badly concussed.

"Cal!" Quin shouted, but there was no time to check on him. The Shadowmaw was advancing, and the situation was dire.

Quin took a deep breath, activating his most powerful ability—Solar Ascendance. The air around him shimmered as the light of Solarius coursed through him, his form glowing with a radiant golden energy. His eyes blazed with power as he turned to Sam. "It’s now or never! If we don’t take it down, we’re dead—and so are they."

Sam nodded grimly, his face set with determination. "I’m with you. Let’s finish this."

Together, they charged. Sam attempted to slow the beast again with Justicar’s Gaze, and this time, it had a slight effect. The beast stumbled, disoriented by the divine gaze of judgment. Quin didn’t waste the opportunity. Channeling the full power of Solar Ascendance, he casted Solar Flare and bent the light into precise beams that he could not manage without Solar Ascendance. Quin targeted the beast’s joints with unerring accuracy. Each beam struck with deadly precision, cutting into the creature’s ligaments and tendons, causing it to roar in agony as its movements became more labored.

The beast was injured, but it wasn’t done yet. It lashed out at both Quin and Sam as they closed in, landing brutal strikes that sent them reeling. The two returned the blows, lashing out with their weapons. For every wound they inflicted, the beast countered with twice the force. Blood dripped from Quin’s arms and legs, and Sam staggered back, barely able to keep his footing as the beast slashed at him again.

Quin knew they couldn’t keep this up much longer. Summoning the last of his strength, he leaped into the air, his broadsword glowing with the full power of Solarius. With a primal shout, he brought the blade down, driving it deep into the beast’s neck.

The Shadowmaw howled in pain, its body convulsing as the blade severed its vital arteries. With one final, guttural growl, the creature collapsed to the ground, dead.

Breathing heavily, Quin deactivated Solar Ascendance, the golden light fading from his body. He collapsed beside Sam, both of them bleeding and utterly exhausted. For a moment, they lay there in the dirt, catching their breath. Then, with a tired grin, Quin reached out and fist-bumped Sam.

"We did it," Quin said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We actually killed it."

Sam chuckled weakly. "Yeah... we’re a mess, but we did it."

Slowly, painfully, they stood, the adrenaline in their veins starting to fade. The pain of their wounds was becoming more acute, but they pushed it aside as they limped over to their fallen comrades. Zach, Westin, and Cal lay scattered across the battlefield, bloodied but alive.

Quin knelt beside Zach, checking his pulse. "He’s hurt bad, but he’s not going to die." He moved to Westin, then Cal, confirming that both of them were stable, though unconscious. "They’re all going to make it."

After a few moments, Zach stirred, groaning in pain as his eyes fluttered open. He was disoriented, his vision blurry, but he managed to croak out, "Did we... win?"

Quin smiled down at him. "Yeah, Zach. We won."

For the next hour, the trio focused on recovering, using the time to meditate and channel the spirit energy from the fallen beast into their Divine Conduits. The energy flowed into them, rejuvenating their battered bodies and growing their Divine Conduits.

As the group rested, tending to their wounds, Sam turned to Quin, his brow furrowed in thought. "A beast of such strength shouldn’t be in this neck of the woods," he muttered. "There’s something unnatural about this. Something probably drew it here." He paused, then looked directly at Quin. "You should check its lair, see if you can find whatever it was."

Quin hesitated, glancing at their unconscious comrades. "I shouldn’t leave you all alone, not like this. What if something else shows up?"

Sam waved off the concern, though his body ached from the fight. "I’ll manage. Besides, there’s nothing left here to threaten us. The beast cleared out everything else in its territory. Just... go. We need to know what caused this."

Reluctantly, Quin nodded, understanding the importance of the task. "Alright, I’ll go. But I won’t be long." With a last glance at Zach, Sam, and his two unconscious teammates, he turned and made his way toward the ravine.

The entrance to the ravine was narrow, with jagged rocks rising on either side. The shadows between the hills grew deeper as he descended into the crevice, the sounds of the forest fading into a muffled silence. The air here was cooler, damp from the nearby moss and moisture that clung to the stone walls. As Quin moved through the ravine, he felt an eerie stillness, as though nothing had dared set foot in this place since the Shadowmaw had claimed it as its own.

The deeper he went, the darker it became, until Quin spotted the mouth of a cave nestled in the side of the hill. It was wide and dark, its entrance lined with sharp, irregular stones that jutted out like jagged teeth. He could smell death lingering in the air, the unmistakable stench of decay wafting from the cave’s depths. Grimacing, Quin unsheathed his broadsword, just in case, and ventured inside.

The interior of the cave was grim, as Quin had expected. Strewn across the stone floor were the bodies of smaller beasts, torn apart and left to rot. Their fur was matted with blood, and their bones gleamed in the faint light that filtered in from the ravine. Nearby, the remains of the missing villagers lay in a corner, partially hidden beneath a pile of loose rocks. Quin’s stomach turned, though he wasn’t surprised by the grim discovery. The Shadowmaw had been a merciless hunter.

He lowered his head for a moment and muttered a quiet prayer to Solarius for the dead, asking for their souls to find peace and the sun’s light to guide them to the next life. The cave was quiet, save for the faint echo of his voice and the drip of water from somewhere deep within the stone walls.

As Quin straightened up, he noticed something unusual near the back of the cave. It wasn’t another corpse or signs of the beast’s kills—it was a faint glow coming from beneath a cluster of rocks. He moved closer, curiosity piqued, and began to shift the stones aside. Beneath them, he uncovered a natural treasure—a stone of deep blue, shimmering faintly with infused spirit energy. Its surface was smooth, like polished glass, but veins of light pulsed through it, almost like it was alive with power. Quin held the stone in his hand, feeling the warmth of the spirit energy coursing through it.

"A spirit-infused stone," Quin whispered to himself. "This must’ve been what drew the beast here... or made it so strong." He marveled at the stone for a moment longer before tucking it carefully into his pouch. The discovery left no doubt in his mind—the power of this stone had likely attracted the Shadowmaw to the region, and its influence had probably strengthened the creature to the terrifying level they had encountered.

Satisfied with his find, Quin made his way back to the group, careful not to disturb the resting place of the fallen any further.

When he returned to the others, he found that Cal had woken up, though he looked pale and bruised, clearly still recovering from the battering he had taken. Westin, however, remained unconscious, his body still weak from the beast's attack.

Quin knelt beside the group, holding out the glowing blue stone. "I found this in the cave. It’s infused with spirit energy—probably what made the beast so powerful or attracted it to this area in the first place."

Cal nodded slowly, his gaze shifting to the stone. "That makes sense. Something like that would definitely explain how the beast got so strong."

Zach, sitting up but clearly in pain, agreed. "Good find, Quin. But..." He winced, shifting his position. "We’re too injured to make the trip back to Cremoor, especially with Westin like this. We’ll have to wait."

Sam, looking exhausted but composed, added, "We don’t have much choice. With Westin unconscious and all of us wounded, trying to carry him back now would be suicide. We’ll give our bodies time to heal—let the spirit energy we’ve absorbed from the beast do its work."

Quin looked around at the carnage surrounding them, his eyes scanning the forest for any sign of danger. "We should be safe here. That beast killed everything else in its territory. Nothing will come near this place for a while."

They all nodded, each one too tired to argue with the logic. With that, they sat back, trying to relax and recover. Quin kept the stone close, feeling its energy humming against his side. He would need to discuss what to do with it as a group. It could be sold for a hefty sum, but none of them were particularly hurting for money since they were financed by their various temples. One of them could absorb the spirit from the stone over time and probably rank up a Degree at least once, probably more. He decided to leave this thought process till later and began to meditate while awaiting Westin to awake.

Hours crept by and Quin absorbed more and more spirit from the area. He felt his Divine Conduit greedily suck it up and replenish his supply of spirit. At a certain point, Quin felt his Divine Conduit swell in a familiar sensation from when he was in the Abil Mountains. Quin felt his Divine Conduit expand just a fraction. He had just ascended a Degree in power. He was now a second Degree Acolyte. He opened his eyes and sighed. He met Zach’s eyes.

“Did you advance a Degree as well?” Zach asked.

“Yes I did. I presume you did as well based on the question,” Quin replied.

“Yes, so did Sam and Cal, but they are back to meditating thinking they can obtain a few more gains from this endeavor,” Zach explained.

“It's not a bad idea if we are still waiting on Westin,” Quin voiced.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars began to dot the sky, Westin finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and he groaned as he sat up, the pain of his injuries evident in every movement. The others, still nursing their wounds, watched as Westin quickly slipped into meditation, channeling the spirit energy from the beast fight into his Divine Conduit. Within a few minutes, he looked slightly better, though still far from fully healed.

Each of them had been trained to meditate after injuries or after a fight to maximize their healing and spirit cultivation so it was no surprise that Westin had launched directly into it without saying a single thing.

Once Westin was back on his feet, the group decided it was time to return to the village. They all helped each other up, leaning against one another for support as they began their slow, painful walk back. Their steps were heavy, their bodies battered and bruised. Every movement was a struggle, but they pressed on, determined to make it to their horses and back to safety.

The woods were dark now, the shadows long and the forest eerily quiet around them. The occasional rustle of leaves or snap of a twig put them all on edge. Their hands stayed near their weapons, ready to defend themselves if needed, though they all knew that in their current state, they wouldn’t stand a chance against another beast.

Suddenly, they heard it—a loud, rhythmic pounding, something heavy crashing through the underbrush. The sound grew louder, closer. Instinctively, they stopped and drew their weapons, their hearts pounding in their chests. Every muscle in their bodies tensed, ready for the worst.

"If it’s another beast..." Quin muttered, his voice strained with exhaustion. He knew they wouldn’t survive another fight in their condition.

The foliage ahead of them parted, and a massive figure burst through the trees, running at full tilt. It was clad in full armor, the heavy footfalls pounding against the earth like thunder. The group braced themselves, but as the figure neared, they recognized the familiar gleam of steel and the massive frame of Lief Stoneheart.

Lief came to an abrupt halt as he spotted them, his eyes widening in shock at the sight of their injuries. "What in the—?" Without another word, he sprinted toward them, his armor clanking with every step. "Stay behind me!" he shouted, instinctively scanning the woods for danger. Once he was sure nothing was chasing them, he turned back to Quin and the others. "What in the name of the Gods happened to you?"

Quin let out a weary breath, lowering his weapon as relief flooded him. "We ran into a beast—a Shadowmaw. Far stronger than we were prepared for."

Lief’s eyes widened at the name. "A Shadowmaw? Here?" His gaze swept over the group, his face grim as he took in their battered state. "That’s no ordinary beast... You're lucky you’re alive. Is it still alive?"

Quin shook his head, confirming that the Shadowmaw had been killed. Before Quin could elaborate, another figure emerged from the woods, running with her robes gathered in her hands. It was Lauren, her face flushed from the effort of running through the forest, but her eyes full of concern. The moment she saw the state they were in, she didn’t waste any time. She immediately went to work, kneeling beside Westin first and summoning her healing light to tend to his wounds.

Quin, still catching his breath, looked up at Lief and Lauren, surprised but grateful. "What are you two doing here?"

Lief crossed his arms, his tone gruff but not unkind. "Lauren came to find me when you didn’t return by sundown. She knew you were sent to help Ravenspire, and when the sun went down and you hadn’t come back, she got worried. We thought something might’ve gone wrong, so we set out to find you."

Lauren, still concentrating on healing Westin, glanced up briefly. "I’m just glad we found you in time. You’re all in terrible shape."

Zach, leaning heavily against a tree, grinned weakly. "Glad you did too. I wasn’t looking forward to limping all the way back to the city like this."

Westin, now being healed by Lauren’s gentle touch, sighed in relief as the pain in his wounds began to ebb away. "Lauren, you’re a lifesaver," he said with a grin. "Our guardian angel, come to rescue us."

Cal, who had been quiet, raised an eyebrow and smirked, his gaze shifting between Quin and Lauren. "Of course, Lauren was worried about Quin," he teased, his tone dripping with mischief. "I’m sure that’s why she ran all the way out here."

The others laughed, despite their exhaustion and injuries. Quin’s face immediately flushed bright red, and Lauren, caught off guard by the jab, blushed as well, her focus momentarily faltering as she healed Cal.

"Shut up, Cal," Quin muttered, embarrassed but secretly pleased at the same time. He caught Lauren’s eye briefly, and for a moment, the two shared an awkward but warm glance before looking away, both of them trying to compose themselves.

The laughter faded, and after a few more moments of quiet healing, the group finally began to feel stable again. Their wounds, while still severe, no longer felt life-threatening, thanks to Lauren’s intervention. As they rested, Lief stood watch, his presence a silent but reassuring one as they gathered the strength to head back to the village.

The journey back wasn’t going to be comfortable, but for now, they were safe—and that was enough.