Chapter 35: A Sanctuary Found

Drake pushed himself up from the base of the tree, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his side. The cracked ribs were a constant reminder of his near-fatal encounter with the Void Brute. He needed to find shelter, and fast. Traveling in his current condition was dangerous, and he didn't want to risk another encounter while he was so vulnerable.

He looked around the forest, his senses on high alert. He needed a place that was both secluded and defensible, a place where he could rest and recover without being disturbed. He considered returning to Oakhaven, but the thought of retracing his steps and dealing with the city's hustle and bustle didn't appeal to him. He needed peace and quiet.

As he walked, he activated *Sense Magic*, hoping to find a place with a natural magical barrier or some other form of protection. After a short while, he felt a faint magical resonance emanating from deeper within the forest. It was a subtle energy, peaceful and calming, unlike the chaotic energy of the rift.

He followed the resonance, pushing through thick undergrowth and navigating around fallen logs. The forest grew denser as he went, the trees forming a natural canopy that blocked out most of the remaining sunlight.

Finally, he reached the source of the magical energy: a small clearing nestled amongst a circle of ancient, moss-covered stones. A small, crystal-clear stream flowed through the clearing, its gentle murmur adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

*Notification: "Location Discovered: Ancient Druid Grove. Magical Confluence Detected. Natural Healing Properties Present."*

Drake stepped into the clearing, feeling a wave of calm wash over him. The air here was clean and fresh, and the magical energy was palpable, tingling on his skin. He felt a slight easing of the pain in his side, as if the grove itself was helping to heal his wounds.

"Well, this is more like it," he muttered, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. "Talk about a five-star wilderness retreat. I bet they have great room service. Though I doubt they deliver pizza."

He examined the clearing more closely. The circle of stones seemed to radiate a gentle warmth, and the stream looked pristine and pure. He decided this was the perfect place to rest and recover.

He found a relatively flat spot near the stream and set up camp. He hobbled Clunky nearby, ensuring she had access to fresh water and grazing. He then gathered some firewood and built a small fire, the flames providing warmth and light.

As the fire crackled to life, he opened the Codex to check his health.

* Level: 4

* Strength: 21

* Dexterity: 17

* Constitution: 23

* Intelligence: 14

* Wisdom: 7

* Charisma: 14

* Luck: 5

* Health: 65/100

His health had already started to improve thanks to the grove's natural healing properties. He decided to take advantage of this and focus on recovering fully.

He sat by the fire, carefully examining his injuries. The pain in his side was still significant, but he could tell that the cracked ribs were already starting to heal. He cleaned and bandaged the scratches he had received from the Razorboars, using some medicinal herbs he had acquired during his travels.

As he tended to his wounds, he reflected on his recent experiences. He had faced powerful enemies, traveled to another dimension, and unlocked new powers. He was growing stronger, more skilled, more confident. But he also knew that he still had much to learn. This world was full of dangers and mysteries, and he was only just beginning to scratch the surface.

He closed his eyes, leaning back against a large stone. The peaceful atmosphere of the grove, combined with the warmth of the fire, began to soothe his aching body and mind. He felt himself drifting off to sleep, finally able to rest and recover after his harrowing ordeal.