Evan returned to the sanctuary before dawn the sky still dark and heavy with mist The villagers noticed his weary figure emerging from the forest Dalen at his side the scouts close behind They carried no captured beasts no supplies only the heavy truth of what they had witnessed A convoy of cages a relay station and an organized trade of magical creatures flowing toward Lord Varrick’s estate

The elder awaited them at the entrance leaning on his carved staff his face grave The warden spirit stood behind him glowing faintly as if sensing the weight of the news Evan delivered

Inside the hall torches flickered along the wooden walls casting warm but tense shadows Evan rolled out the map the scouts had drawn marking the convoy’s path the relay station the missing territories and the likely routes leading toward the capital The villagers gathered in tight circles watching each detail Evan pointed to the plateau where the relay station stood

They hold dozens of magical creatures there he explained They transport them before sunrise and ship them toward the western trade road by midday They move fast organized and without hesitation

The elder’s eyes hardened This is not a band of criminals This is an organized operation sanctioned or at least tolerated by powerful people

Dalen stepped forward These poachers are working directly for Varrick They use alchemic traps advanced devices stronger chains and enchanted nets A normal village cannot face them in open fight

A young scout asked then what do we do We cannot ignore those creatures They will die

Evan nodded quietly We will not ignore them But we cannot rush in without a plan If we attack the relay station now they will harm the creatures We need to act smart not reckless

He took a deep breath and tapped the map We will rescue them But we need a plan that uses the forest itself a plan that makes the land our ally

The warden spirit stepped forward its glow swelling The villagers watched as vines from the spirit’s hooves spread across the floor small but alive Evan knelt beside the green pattern an idea forming in his mind

The forest moves with the spirit he said quietly The vines the roots the ground itself responds If we guide the spirit we may create paths that only we can follow safe routes invisible to the poachers

Dalen leaned closer You want the land to hide our movement

Evan nodded To hide us and to trap them The forest can mislead poachers create false trails block their retreat and give us openings to reach the cages without being detected

The elder smiled faintly Wilder you think like a ranger of the ancient tribes using the land as shield and guide

Evan did not reply with pride He only felt urgency pressing on him The creatures in those cages suffered each moment draining their strength Every hour mattered

They planned through the morning villagers gathering wood vines ropes and smooth stones They built wooden whistles carved to mimic the calls of various magical species a form of communication between scouts without revealing their position They prepared herbal mixtures that masked human scent making the poachers think the forest was empty

Evan organized the teams Patrol Team led by Dalen Rescue Team led by Evan and Support Team led by the herbalist to treat weakened creatures once freed

At midday the warden spirit stepped into the center of the sanctuary glowing brighter than ever A deep hum vibrated through the soil Roots twisted upward forming archways vines rose and shaped themselves into narrow tunnels The villagers gasped as the living paths formed before their eyes

Dalen whispered The spirit is shaping a hidden passage

Evan touched one of the vines feeling it pulse steady and strong It is giving us a way to reach the relay station without crossing open ground

The elder bowed to the spirit The land chooses its defenders wisely

Evan looked at the villagers his calm voice carrying weight Tonight we begin the rescue We will not confront them head on Only slip in free the creatures and leave before they know what happened

A young villager asked what if they see us

Dalen answered with a steady voice Then we do not fight We scatter into the forest The vines will protect us

The villagers nodded with determination Their fear transformed into resolve

As night approached Evan walked to the treatment hut checking the thunder cub The little creature yawned crackling sparks along its fur The cub climbed onto Evan’s lap curling into a ball Evan stroked its back softly

I have to leave you tonight little one he whispered But I will return with others like you who need a home

The cub nuzzled against him letting out a faint purr Evan gently set it down

Before they departed the warden spirit approached Evan lowering its antlers Once it touched the ground green light spread forming a symbol like a leaf woven with roots Evan felt warmth flow through him a silent blessing

Dalen approached Ready

Evan nodded Let’s go

The hidden paths opened vines parting like silent curtains Evan the scouts and Dalen stepped inside The forest swallowed them whole silently no branches snapping no leaves rustling

The mission had begun