A smile tugged my lips as I remembered the first time we fought three layer Two beast, We almost died.
But now we just dealt with Fifteen of those.
After that we striped the meat from the beasts and packed for supplies.
It was evening
We were searching for water and a area to camp.
The forest was quieter now, but the tension lingered in the air like a thick fog. Every snapped twig or rustle of leaves made us tense, hands brushing weapons instinctively.
Veyra led the way, her eyes scanning the dense undergrowth while chains flickered lightly around her wrists, ready to react. "Stay close. Watch your flanks," she said, voice low and steady, calm as ever.
We moved cautiously along the slope of the mountain, stepping over fallen logs and maneuvering around jagged rocks. Nolan's mother stayed just behind the line, carrying what little supplies we had. Nolan shadowed her, sword ready, shield raised, always a hand close to hers.
"I see a ridge up ahead," Lily murmured, squinting. "Could be a stream."
Vivi sniffed the air, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Yes… water. There's moisture in the soil nearby. Not far."
The rest of us spread out just enough to keep watch, every sound amplified in the stillness of the evening. Small, desperate beasts occasionally darted out of the undergrowth, Layer One predators mostly. They snarled and lunged, but our cohesion kept us from being cornered. Phoebe's icicles struck cleanly, Lily's bow found gaps, and Lex's gauntlets tore through the few that made a real move toward us.
I stayed behind with chains coiled, blocking a narrow pass where one particularly sneaky creature tried to flank. "Not today," I muttered under my breath, yanking it back into the open for Lex to finish.
Finally, we reached the source of the water — a small, gurgling stream weaving down the slope, fed by melting snow from higher peaks. The air smelled crisp, a rare relief after days of damp forests and mist.
"Set up camp here," Veyra instructed. "We'll rest and recover. Keep a watch rotation. Be ready if anything approaches."
We cleared a small area, using rocks and logs to make a crude barrier. Nolan's mother tended the fire while Vivi shared some of her minor healing, scratches and bruises we'd picked up.
Sitting around the warmth of the fire, we all finally exhaled. The soft gurgle of the stream, the wind through the pines, and the occasional distant cry of a predator — it was peaceful, for now.
I glanced at everyone: Lex sharpening his knives, Lily checking her bowstring, Phoebe inspecting her daggers, Vivi adjusting bandages, Nolan quietly standing by his mother.
Veyra sat slightly apart from the group, chains coiled beside her, eyes half-closed but alert. She was always calm, but there was warmth in her posture when she glanced at the others, especially Nolan's mother, who checked the fire and cooked the last of our modest rations.
"I'll take first watch," Lex said, rolling his shoulders. "I'm guessing the Layer Ones won't make it past the stream without waking us, but… just in case." He slung his knives on and paced to a higher rock, scanning the treeline.
Lily and Vivi exchanged a quiet glance. "We'll cover the south side," Lily said, setting her bow beside her. Vivi knelt, checking her short swords and murmuring a soft healing chant over a few bruised spots.
Phoebe sat near me, sharpening her kunai. "Doesn't feel like much of a safe night," she said softly. I shrugged.
"Safe's a concept," I muttered, wrapping a chain loosely around my forearm. "We're alive, that's enough for tonight."
Phoebe smirked faintly. "You really are cheerful for someone who's almost dying half the time."
I shot her a look. "Better than whining."
Vivi's quiet laugh carried across the fire. "I think that's enough bonding for now."
We rotated shifts, one pair keeping watch while the others rested. Nolan stayed close to his mother, quietly talking to her in low tones. She smiled at him, her eyes tired but calm, and he returned the smile, the tension in his shoulders easing a little.
When my turn came, I hiked to a ridge near the stream, chains coiled in my hand. The forest was silent apart from the stream and the occasional rustle of leaves. I scanned the darkness, listening, thinking.
How much we have been through in the past month. We would've been dead if we were still layer 1 till now, Veyra's words came true. She had told us, We would need to advance if we wanted to survive the Chained forest.
Previously we only fought Layer 1 hordes and layer 2 groups, but now we have to fight Layer 2 hordes and Layer 3 groups. Even after all of this, It isn't even counting the layer 3 and above beasts we would have to fight once we start ascending the mountain.
We were very close to the mountain, The landscape had slanted significantly to take notice.
I glanced back and saw the group huddled near the fire, quietly tending minor wounds, adjusting gear, or simply watching the shadows dance. Even Phoebe looked less closed off now, leaning against a tree with her eyes half-lidded, relaxed for once.
Hours passed slowly. Occasionally, a small predator would skitter through the undergrowth. Nothing too threatening, but we practiced coordination quietly — Lex would raise an arm to signal, Lily would nock an arrow, and Veyra would adjust chains without a word.
By the time dawn threatened on the horizon, painting the mist in pale silver, the group stirred. Some rubbed sleep from their eyes, others stretched quietly. Even I felt the weight in my limbs, muscles stiff.
The morning was upon us.