As they moved toward the final cluster of seeds, a rustling in the undergrowth set the group on alert. Small shadows moved among the trees, quick and silent. Lira felt her pulse quicken, instincts honed from past missions alerting her to the possibility of danger.
"Stay calm," she said softly. "We only want the seeds. No harm will come to us if we are careful."
Suddenly, a small creature—a nocturnal fox-like being with glowing eyes—darted across the path. Its body shimmered with faint starlight, and it paused to observe the group, then disappeared into the undergrowth. Lira exhaled slowly. "It's just a guardian, testing us. We must prove our intent."
The group pressed on, more aware now of the delicate balance around them. Every movement was deliberate, every breath measured, ensuring that the forest's magic remained undisturbed.
