He summoned Skyla briefly to confirm his theory. Like Hank, she had no memory of being controlled and showed no symptoms outside the Verdant Maw.
"New plan," Arthur announced, pulling equipment from his inventory. "We're dealing with something in the air—some kind of spore or toxin that affects minds."
Aether's scales rippled with interest. "How do we counter it?"
"I'll create a spatial bubble around us," Arthur explained, fingers already weaving complex patterns. "My space manipulation should filter whatever's in the air."
"And if it doesn't work? I don't want to attack you, master," Hank said, his wings tensing.
Arthur's eyes hardened. "Then we find another way. I'm not leaving that forest empty-handed."
With a swift gesture, he teleported them back to the edge of the Verdant Maw. This time, Arthur immediately established a protective spatial barrier around them—a shimmering distortion that separated their breathing air from the forest's.
