"Stay alert," he said. "They could come back."

No one argued.

The confidence that had surged during the exchange hadn’t fully settled yet. A few students glanced toward where the third beast had disappeared, their expressions tightening slightly.

"They won’t"

It was Ronan who spoke this time.

Darius turned slightly. "You’re certain?"

He knew of Ronan’s reputation, of course, but he still treated his words with respect.

"They were probing," he said. "Testing response. Once they understood the difference in strength, there’s no reason to commit further."

"They could have been probing for their leader, and could come back with a larger group."

"Those are southeastern dire wolves," Ronan said, pointing to where one was dead. "They travel in small groups, and they like to test prey by attacking, retreating, then attacking again when the prey is weakened. We killed two of them; I doubt the last one will come back."

The weeks of reading about the southern region paid off, and Ronan instantly recognised the beasts.

Darius looked surprised.

"You’re knowledgeable."

Even Elara looked a little shocked.

"How do you know that?"

"I read up on the Southern region before we came," Ronan said. "We should currently be in the marshes and forests, which is the southeastern part of the southern region."

Ronan pointed north.

"If we keep going north, the trees will thin out, and we should find a place where we can create a base."

Darius followed the direction Ronan pointed, his gaze narrowing slightly as he assessed the terrain ahead. The dense canopy did seem to thin out in that direction, the light filtering through just a bit more consistently.

"He’s right," a shy girl said. The entire class turned to her at once, and she shrank back slightly. "Up north, there will be fewer trees, and we can set up a base... maybe."

Darius looked at her and then placed his hand on his chin.

"...Alright," he said after a brief pause. "We move north."

There was no real opposition.

Usually, there would be some discussion about it, but there didn’t seem to be anyone with better ideas, and the suggestion was harmless enough.

After the brief encounter, the class was far more willing to follow decisive direction, especially when it came with confidence. A few students exchanged looks, some still unsure, but none spoke up to challenge it.

Elara glanced at Ronan once more, her expression thoughtful now, no longer dismissive.

"Stay in formation," she added. "No one falls behind."

The groups adjusted again, tightening slightly before beginning their movement through the forest, steps more careful now, more aware. The earlier chaos had settled into something more controlled, though still far from efficient.

Ronan moved with them, his pace steady, his expression unchanged.

They were heading in the right direction.

Just not for the reasons they thought.

The class moved up north.

Roots twisted across the ground in irregular patterns, forcing constant adjustments. Mud clung to their boots, slowing some more than others. Every few steps, someone would stumble slightly, catch themselves, and keep moving without a word. No one wanted to be the one who slowed the group down.

Darius stayed at the front, his movements steady, deliberate. He didn’t rush, but he didn’t slow either, setting a pace the others were forced to match. Every so often, he would glance back, making sure the formation hadn’t stretched too thin.

"Elara," he called quietly.

"I see it," she replied, already moving.

She drifted toward the middle of the group, eyes sharp as she counted heads, adjusting positions with short, clipped instructions.

"Closer together. Not that close – spread just enough. You, watch the left. Don’t lag behind."

A few students nodded quickly, correcting themselves.

It wasn’t efficient.

But it was holding.

Time passed more slowly than it should have.

The forest didn’t change all at once. It shifted gradually. The density of the trees lessened. The canopy above broke in small patches, allowing more light to filter through. The ground grew firmer beneath their feet, the mud thinning out into damp soil instead of sucking at every step.

The air changed, too.

Still heavy, but less suffocating.

Ronan noticed it before anyone said anything.

Then–

"I see water."

Darius’ voice cut through the group.

Heads lifted instantly.

"Water?" someone repeated.

"Up ahead," Darius confirmed, already picking up his pace slightly.

The effect was immediate.

The students’ fatigue didn’t vanish, but it dulled. Steps grew faster, lighter, and more energetic as they followed Darius. The tension that had been quietly building in their shoulders loosened just enough to be noticeable.

Water meant something stable, and that was what the students needed at the moment. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The trees thinned further as they moved forward, the sounds of the forest shifting with it. The constant rustle of leaves gave way to something else–

A low, steady current.

And then they saw it.

A wide river stretched across their path, cutting cleanly through the terrain. The water was clear enough to reflect the light breaking through the canopy above, rippling softly as it moved. Large trees bordered the riverbank, their roots digging deep into the earth, stabilising the ground around them.

A fish broke the surface, splashing back down with a sharp flick.

Then another.

"...We actually found water," a student said, almost disbelieving.

A few others let out quiet laughs, tension bleeding out of them.

Some moved closer instinctively, drawn to the edge of the river.

"This is perfect," someone muttered. "We can set up here."

"For now, at least."

"Better than back there."

The mood shifted.

"Stop."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the rising chatter instantly.

Students froze where they stood.

"We are not settling yet," he said, scanning the area carefully. "This is better terrain, but that doesn’t make it safe."

The brief sense of ease tightened again, though not as sharply as before.

"We establish a perimeter first," Darius continued. "Groups of five. Rotate outward, check the surrounding area. Do not go too far. If you find anything – anything – you report immediately."

He pointed toward the river.

A few students hesitated, glancing at the surface again before stepping back.

"Elara."

Elara nodded. She moved without hesitation, already organising the groups.

Ronan stood near the edge of the formation, his gaze drifting across the river, then the treeline beyond it.

The terrain was good.

Better than where they started.

Stable ground. Clear water. Reduced density.

It was ideal for a temporary base.

Which meant–

His eyes shifted slightly, scanning the edges of the clearing.

No immediate signs.

But that didn’t mean anything. It just meant they got here first.

He hadn’t guided them north for nothing. And if his knowledge of the future was accurate, this peaceful environment wouldn’t last.