her, leaving Rowen's body heavy and his mind sluggish. He let out a quiet breath, resting his hand on his knee.
Just then, a faint noise stirred behind him. Shade's eyes blinked open, glowing faintly in the dim light. She let out a soft meow, and upon realizing it was only Rowen, her posture relaxed.
Shade padded closer, brushing against his leg, and gave another insistent meow, a clear demand to be picked up and patted.
Fern's leafy body brightened as it absorbed the stones one by one. A faint hum echoed through the room as the energy dispersed, flowing back into the hidden space.
"That will keep things stable for now," Fern said after finishing. "But remember, the more crops and trees you plant, the more energy we'll need in the future."
