The air grew colder as we moved deeper into the forest. Each breath felt sharp, the frigid air stinging our lungs. The snow crunched under our boots, the sound seeming amplified in the stillness of the woods. Our surroundings were pristine, with snow-covered branches and frozen ponds dotting the landscape.
Asthrid and Morganna communicated in hushed tones as they moved stealthily, occasionally checking on a device Morganna had brought. It was designed to detect magical auras – a tool that had proven invaluable numerous times. Every so often, they would pause, listen, then continue on their path.
Meanwhile, Zane and Geof had a different approach. Geof's energy-detecting device frequently buzzed, indicating areas of interest. They would then dig into the snow or examine a particular tree,
