"He said it was a 'beast of the water'," William recounted, "ancient and hungry. Some say it's a guardian, others a curse." He shrugged. "Probably just a tall tale, a fisherman's exaggeration. But… still, it's something to keep in mind."

  The others chuckled, dismissing the story as folklore, as the ramblings of a drunkard. But the laughter was strained, tinged with a hint of unease. They were in a strange land, a place where magic was real, where monsters roamed the forests. Who were they to say what was possible, what was not?

  "I doubt anything could survive those rapids," Roland said, his voice dismissive. "But it's true, we don't know what lies further downstream. We'll need to be cautious."

  "Perhaps," Caspian mused, his scholarly curiosity piqued, "it's a creature adapted to the turbulent waters. A species unique to Hammer Falls, evolved to thrive in that extreme environment. It would be a fascinating subject of study…"

  Julia, ever practical, cut him short. "Let's focus on surviving the known dangers first, Caspian," she said, a hint of gentle reproof in her voice. "We can speculate about mythical beasts later."

  Finally, the boar was cooked, its aroma filling the small clearing, a tantalizing scent that made their stomachs rumble with anticipation. They ate with gusto, tearing off chunks of the succulent meat, savouring each bite, grateful for the sustenance, for the warmth, for the momentary respite from their perilous journey. It wasn't a feast, but it was the best meal they'd had in days, a small victory in a world filled with challenges.

  Once the meal was finished, they meticulously cleaned up, disposing of the bones and any remaining scraps of meat in the river, ensuring that no trace of their presence remained. William, still not completely sure about the beast of the water, quietly said some words of offerings as he disposed of the remains of the boar down the river, hoping to appear whatever manner of creature if any that did live downstream. They doused the fire, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke to dissipate into the night air.

  As darkness fully enveloped the forest, they settled down for the night, their bodies exhausted, their minds still racing. They had agreed on a watch schedule, a necessary precaution in this dangerous land. William, despite his lack of experience, volunteered for the first shift. While he had contributed to their success with the repairs to the boat, and setting the strategy for navigating the earlier parts of Hammer Falls, he was also keenly aware that the other three, Roland, Jett and Julia had been doing the lion’s share of the heavy lifting and was quietly determined to not be a burden but contribute. Caspian, while also willing, had not fully recovered from the battering from the rapids, so it was better for him to rest. Jett volunteered to take second shift, noting he was in better condition than Julia and Roland who well deserved a full night’s rest.

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  William found a comfortable position, his back against the massive, hollowed-out trunk that served as their makeshift shelter. He kept his sword close at hand, his senses alert, his eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. The forest, so silent during their journey, now seemed to come alive with a symphony of nocturnal sounds: the hooting of owls, the chirping of crickets, the rustling of leaves, the distant howl of some unknown creature.

  As he sat there, his mind began to wander. He thought about their journey so far, about the challenges they had faced, about the dangers that still lay ahead. He thought about Julia, about her strength, her courage, her unwavering commitment to her mission. He thought about Roland, about his leadership, his experience, his unwavering determination. He thought about Jett, about his stealth, his skill, his quiet competence. He thought about Caspian, about his intelligence, his curiosity, his surprising resilience.

  He thought about EMMA, about the incredible power it offered, about the potential it held, about the responsibility that came with wielding such a unique ability. He thought about the Goblin King, about the Dark Legion, about the war that was ravaging this land, about the fate of the kingdom that rested, in part, on their shoulders.

  He was a stranger in a strange land, a novice adventurer caught in a conflict he barely understood. But he was no longer alone. He was part of a team, a group of individuals bound together by a common purpose, by a shared sense of duty, by a growing bond of friendship and respect.

  And then, as he continued his vigil, he noticed something. A subtle change in the texture of his skin, a faint tingling sensation in the small cuts and bruises that covered his arms and legs, the minor injuries he'd sustained during their harrowing journey through Hammer Falls.

  He examined his wounds more closely, peering at them in the dim moonlight that filtered through the trees. And he saw it. The cuts, which had been raw and inflamed just hours before, were… healing. Not completely, not magically, but noticeably, faster than they should be. The redness had faded, the swelling had subsided, the edges of the wounds were already beginning to knit together.

  A flicker of surprise, followed by a surge of understanding, washed over him. It was the same accelerated healing he'd experienced after the goblin bite, the same phenomenon that Mendal, the Sharwood healer, had attributed to powerful, lost magic. Using EMMA to take a snapshot of his wounds, including the seriousness of the wound, bruise or open cut, William decided to check again in the morning to do further analysis.

  He didn't understand it, didn't know how it worked, didn't know why it was happening. But he knew, with absolute certainty, that it was real and he could capture and study the data to better identify the true extent of healing possible. He knew, with a growing sense of wonder and apprehension, that it was another piece of the puzzle, another clue to the mystery of his own identity, of his own potential, of his own destiny in this strange, new world. He felt a stronger sense of responsibility that he would need to keep discovering more about himself and the capabilities of EMMA, not only to keep himself alive, but to be able to contribute to the maximum when they finally reach Lumenar. He continued to make sure their camp was safe, and that the party could get some well earned rest.

  William Shard