The forest was different here.
The air was heavier, the mist thicker. Every step felt like it was dragging us deeper into something ancient.
"Are we close?" Julien murmured, his sword low but ready.
"Should be," I muttered, scanning the area.
Phantom Fish didn't stay in one place for long. They lingered in mana-rich areas, feeding on ambient energy before vanishing like smoke. If we didn't get there soon…
"We'll miss our chance," I murmured.
"Great," Felix mumbled, shifting Leo's weight on his back. "Chasing after ghost fish. What's next? A dragon?"
"Don't jinx it," Mira muttered, her eyes sweeping the trees.
Wallace was lagging behind, but he was moving. Barely.
"Wallace," I murmured softly.
"I'm fine," he rasped. "Keep moving."
I didn't believe him, but we didn't have time to argue.
"Professor…" Mira's voice was tight.
I followed her gaze.
The ground ahead sloped downward, leading to a shallow, mist-covered stream. The water was still, almost unnaturally so.
