Chapter 3: Wounded Wings
The dawn sun burned a deep orange across the canopy as Lucas Carter emerged from the dense tangle of Riftwood Forest. The air tasted cleaner here, sharper even. His shirt was torn from thorns, and a thin trail of dried blood clung to his cheek from the skirmish with the bandits. Umbra padded silently beside him, ever-watchful, his obsidian mane rippling like black flame with each stride.
"Finally..." Lucas murmured, squinting into the horizon.
Before him, the world opened into a vast, yawning canyon—so wide it seemed to slice the land in two. Jagged cliffs painted in reds and browns towered high, winds howling through their hollowed crevices like ancient spirits. It was like staring into a colossal wound in the earth.
DING!
{New Region Discovered: Galeclaw Ravine}
{Environmental Hazard: High Wind Pressure – Dexterity reduced unless mitigated by Wind-based traits.}
"No rest, huh?" Lucas muttered.
{Come on, adventuring doesn't come with spa breaks. Besides... something interesting is close. Can you feel it?}
He did. A strange thrum buzzed at the edge of his senses—like the system was pulling him forward. Umbra stiffened.
Lucas followed the gusts to a narrow ledge that overlooked the canyon's heart. Down below, caught between wind-carved rock pillars, was a tiny shape huddled against stone.
A creature.