Erend stood alone within the southern forest, surrounded by the aftermath of what had once been a brief but violent encounter. But his focus had already moved far beyond the fallen beasts scattered across the ground.
The air still carried faint traces of distortion. The subtle currents of energy lingered enough for him to study, and he remained still as his senses extended, carefully tracing the remnants that had seeped into the environment.
Time passed without him noticing, his attention narrowing entirely on the task as he moved from one point to another, examining the patterns left behind in the soil, the trees, and even the fading essence within the creatures themselves.
He crouched briefly beside one of the bodies. His gaze steady as he reached out and let his own power brush against the residual energy embedded within it.
It responded faintly with instability, as if it had never belonged there in the first place.
