Akemi looked up as they walked down the road. "So, Rev, why did that guy call you 'commander' back in the capital? And how did you know him?"
Rev scratched his head at the question. "Well, I told you I was a military leader of sorts at one point in my past."
Akemi frowned, even more confused. "So, like… what military?"
Rev's expression darkened with a hint of disgust. "Don't worry about it. You'll find out in time. That man served with me once."
Akemi glanced at Fink, who gave a casual shrug as if to say, Not my problem. Fink then bent down to collect some plants growing along the path, gently tucking them into his satchel.
The trio arrived at the edge of a large forest just as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the road. The towering trees loomed above them, their thick canopies darkening the ground below.
Akemi glanced around nervously, his wide eyes flicking between the trees. "So… where exactly are we?"
Fink, crouching to gather more plants, didn't look up as he answered, "This is Verdeluna. It's a rare forest filled with powerful plants and herbs. But when the moonlight touches these woods…" He paused for a moment, his tone growing ominous. "That's when things get dangerous."
Akemi followed Fink's gaze to the setting sun. The last golden rays faded into twilight. He swallowed hard. "Well… that might be happening sooner than I'd like."
Suddenly, a chilling howl echoed through the trees. The air grew thick, the shadows around them seeming to ripple as if alive. Leaves rustled without wind, and a soft, haunting glow appeared between the trunks.
Before Akemi could speak, the ground trembled beneath their feet. Twisting vines burst from the underbrush, slithering toward them like serpents. A massive figure began to materialize from the darkness—a creature born of bark and shadow, its eyes glowing with a pale, ghostly light.
Fink stood calmly, a confident smirk crossing his face as he drew a small knife from his belt and dipped it into a pouch of crushed leaves. He took a defensive stance, his fingers dancing over the plants he had just collected. "I was hoping to see one of these," he muttered with a glint of excitement in his eyes.
The creature let out a guttural roar, vines thrashing wildly as it lunged toward them. Akemi stumbled backward, eyes wide in terror. "F-Fink! What is that thing?!"
"It's a Verdant Warden," Fink replied calmly, flicking his wrist. A thick, green vapor exploded from his pouch, clouding the air. "A guardian spirit of the forest… and it doesn't like intruders."
The Warden paused, its massive limbs creaking as it sniffed the air. The vapor had slowed its movements, but it still advanced cautiously.
Fink took a handful of vines he had gathered earlier and whispered to them. The plants glowed faintly before wrapping themselves around his arm like living ropes. He lunged forward, throwing the enchanted vines at the creature. They snapped into place, binding its limbs.
"Akemi, get back!" Fink yelled.
Rev remained motionless, his arms crossed as he observed with a bemused expression. "I'm impressed," he murmured. "Didn't know you were this good with plants."
Fink grinned as he tightened the vines. "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet." He tossed another pouch into the air, and with a sharp gesture, it burst into a swarm of glowing spores that wrapped around the Warden like a shimmering cocoon. The creature groaned as its movements slowed to a crawl.
With one final thrash, the Verdant Warden collapsed, its glowing eyes dimming as it sank back into the ground. The forest grew silent once more.
Akemi gasped for breath, leaning against a tree. "Okay… remind me never to walk through this place at night again."
Fink chuckled, brushing his hands off. "Don't worry. We're safe… for now."