Chapter 46 : Fractured Signal

The trail through the Wildlands was quiet, save for the crunch of boots on dry earth and the occasional rustle of wind through the jagged trees. The once-thriving forest around them had withered under the influence of the corruption, leaving behind a barren, alien landscape.

Ryn walked near the front of the group, the Spirit Fox at his side. Its glow, once steady and calming, now flickered sporadically, like a flame struggling to stay lit.

The bond pulsed faintly, but it wasn't the steady rhythm Ryn had grown used to. Instead, it was erratic—one moment blazing with energy, the next fading almost completely. The shifts left Ryn uneasy, though he tried to keep it to himself.

"Anyone else feel like this place gets worse the further we go?" Jek asked, breaking the silence. He twirled his dagger idly, his gaze darting to the twisted trees around them. "Because I'm starting to think we should've turned back three rifts ago."

Mira gave him a sharp look. "We've dealt with worse. Keep moving."

"Sure, sure," Jek muttered, though he didn't stop scanning the shadows. "Just saying, a vacation would be nice after all this."

Bryn walked at the back of the group, his sword resting on his shoulder. His gaze flicked to the Spirit Fox, his expression grim. "The fox," he said suddenly. "It's acting different."

Ryn stiffened. "It's fine," he said quickly, though he didn't fully believe it.

"It doesn't look fine," Bryn said, his tone blunt. "Its energy's all over the place. And if the shard's causing it—"

"It's not the shard," Ryn interrupted, his jaw tightening.

Bryn raised an eyebrow. "Then what is it?"

Ryn hesitated, glancing down at the fox. Its fur flared briefly, then dimmed again, and the bond pulsed weakly.

"I don't know," Ryn admitted. "But it's not hurting us. It's... evolving."

"Evolving," Mira repeated, her tone cautious. "That sounds like a risk we can't afford right now."

"It's not a risk," Ryn said firmly. "It's a good thing. We've seen it evolve before. This is just... different."

Bryn's gaze didn't waver. "Different doesn't mean safe."

The tension hung in the air as the group continued forward. The Spirit Fox stayed close to Ryn, its movements sharp and deliberate. Every so often, it would stop abruptly, its glowing eyes scanning the horizon as though sensing something the others couldn't see.

"You're really jumpy today," Ryn murmured, crouching beside the fox as it let out a low growl.

The bond pulsed faintly, and Ryn felt a flicker of unease ripple through him.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

The fox growled again, its glowing fur flaring briefly before dimming once more. It glanced at Ryn, its eyes sharp and focused.

"Is it the shard?" Mira asked, stepping closer.

Ryn shook his head. "It's not the shard. It's... something else."

Bryn frowned. "If the fox senses something, we need to be ready."

Jek let out a low chuckle. "Ready for what? More rift nightmares? Because I'm starting to think that's all we're ever going to see out here."

"No one's forcing you to stay," Mira shot back.

Jek smirked. "Oh, I'm staying. Someone's got to keep things interesting."

As the group pressed on, the trail became more treacherous. The ground was cracked and uneven, with faint traces of green mist clinging to the shadows. The Spirit Fox moved cautiously, its fur flickering in time with the pulses of the bond.

Ryn felt the strain building with each step. The bond's fluctuations were beginning to take a toll on him, leaving his chest tight and his thoughts muddled.

"Ryn," Mira said, her voice cutting through the haze. "You good?"

"I'm fine," Ryn said quickly, though his breathing was uneven.

Mira didn't look convinced. "You don't look fine."

"I said I'm fine," Ryn snapped, his frustration spilling over.

The Spirit Fox let out a sharp bark, its glowing fur flaring as the bond pulsed strongly. The surge of energy steadied Ryn, but it also left him more aware of the weight pressing down on his mind.

"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I'm just... tired."

"We all are," Bryn said, his tone measured. "But if this is the start of something bigger, you need to tell us."

Ryn nodded reluctantly. "I will. If it gets worse."

They stopped to rest near the base of a jagged hill, the landscape around them eerily quiet. Jek kept watch at the edge of the camp, while Mira and Bryn discussed their next move in hushed tones.

Ryn sat with the Spirit Fox, his back against a cracked tree trunk. The bond pulsed faintly, and he ran a hand through the fox's fur, its glow warm and comforting despite the strain.

"You're holding back, aren't you?" Ryn asked softly.

The fox chirped, its glowing eyes meeting his.

Ryn smiled faintly. "You don't have to protect me. We'll figure it out together."

The bond flared briefly, and Ryn felt a flicker of warmth ripple through him.

"Whatever's coming," Ryn said quietly, "we'll be ready."