Doc woke to the familiar weight of Fish pressed against his side. Her midnight-black fur rippled slightly as she breathed, the faint violet patterns shifting beneath the surface like currents in a dark sea. He eased himself up, careful not to disturb her, and stretched his arms overhead. His muscles felt better after a proper night's sleep—Mazoga had been right about that.

  Fish opened one amber eye, watching him lazily before closing it again. Apparently, she wasn't ready to start the day.

  "At least one of us is getting adequate rest," Doc muttered, pulling on his boots.

  When he ducked through the tent flap, the morning air hit his face with a crisp, forest-scented freshness. He'd taken no more than three steps when Ironha appeared before him, a steaming bowl cupped in her hands.

  "Good morning," she said, extending the bowl. "Breakfast."

  Doc blinked in surprise. "Thank you, but—"

  "Mazoga mentioned you skipped breakfast yesterday," Ironha explained, her silver-toned skin catching the early light. "Said someone should make sure you actually eat before diving into work."

  Doc accepted the bowl with a bemused smile. The stew was thick with roots and herbs, its aroma rich and earthy.

  "I appreciate it, but special treatment isn't necessary," he said, taking a spoonful.

  Ironha shrugged. "It's not special. It's practical. Healers know better than most—a body needs fuel."

  "Your camp leader has apparently appointed herself as my babysitter," Doc remarked dryly.

  "Your nutritional habits have apparently become concerning enough that even pre-industrial societies feel compelled to intervene," Lux observed through their neural link. "Perhaps this indicates a pattern worth addressing."

  Doc nearly choked on his stew.

  "How is your new class working out?" he asked Ironha, changing the subject while continuing to eat.

  Her face brightened. "Fascinating, actually. It's like being a healer and an alchemist combined. I'm learning to understand the properties of ingredients at a deeper level—why they work, not just that they do."

  "That sounds useful," Doc said, genuinely interested.

  "It is. I've started experimenting with making potions from our limited supplies." She gestured toward her work area where several small vials glinted in the morning light. "Stronger healing potions, primarily."

  Doc's curiosity piqued. "Stronger?" He nearly asked what exactly made them stronger or how she measured the potency, but caught himself. Such questions would only highlight how little he understood about this world's magical systems.

  "Yes, they—" Ironha began, but paused as Fish emerged from the tent, stretching her long limbs before padding over to Doc's side.

  Doc reached down to scratch behind her ears, grateful for the interruption. "Good morning to you too."

  Fish leaned into his touch, her massive form somehow managing to look both intimidating and affectionate.

  As he finished the last of his breakfast, Doc noticed Carl walking purposefully toward Dulric's forge, a bundle of materials tucked under his arm.

  "Thank you for the meal and company," Doc said to Ironha, handing back the empty bowl. "I'd like to hear more about your work later, but I should check in with Carl about those breathing apparatuses."

  Ironha nodded. "Of course. I'll be here if you need anything."

  Doc set off toward the forge, Fish following close behind, her paws making no sound on the packed earth.

  Doc walked over to Carl, who was deep in conversation with Dulric beside the forge. Fish padded silently alongside him, her presence drawing glances from passing villagers who still weren't used to her evolved form. The morning air smelled of metal and woodsmoke as they approached the makeshift workshop.

  "—and if we reinforce this part here," Carl was saying, gesturing excitedly at what looked like a crude launcher laid out on Dulric's workbench. Both men looked up as Doc approached.

  "Doc!" Carl's face lit up. "Perfect timing. We were just finishing the last adjustments."

  Dulric nodded in greeting, his soot-stained hands continuing to work a piece of metal into shape.

  "How's the equipment coming along?" Doc asked, examining the contraption on the table.

  "We've made enough launchers to gear up most of the fighters in camp," Carl explained, pushing his oversized glasses back up his nose. "Ten total, actually—one for each fighter including you, Maz, Kesh, Calen, Bran, Brenn, Tor, Tanna, Dulric, and myself."

  "The breathing mask has been more challenging," Carl continued, his enthusiasm dimming slightly. "We could only make three complete ones that I'd consider reliable. The rest are... well, functional but not ideal."

  "We don't have enough materials," Dulric added gruffly. "Can't make quality filters without quality parts."

  Doc frowned slightly. "Define 'functional but not ideal.'"

  "They'll filter out the spores if you're not in direct contact," Carl explained, "but prolonged exposure or getting caught in a dense cloud would overwhelm them."

  "Analyzing combat parameters based on observed fungal entity behavior," Lux's voice stated in Doc's mind. "Most fighters will engage from a distance. Semi-functional masks provide adequate protection for ranged combatants. Recommend allocating the three superior units to primary melee fighters."

  "Combat analysis indicates Mazoga, Tor, and Dulric demonstrated highest close-quarters effectiveness during previous engagement," Lux continued. "They would benefit most from enhanced protection."

  Doc nodded absently, processing the information.

  "Something on your mind?" Dulric asked, noticing Doc's distant expression.

  "Just thinking through our options," Doc replied. "Most of our people will be fighting from a distance, so the basic masks should be fine. The three complete units should go to our frontline fighters—you, Mazoga, and Tor. You'll be in the thick of it and need the extra protection."

  Dulric grunted in approval. "Makes sense."

  Doc turned to Carl, who was already scribbling notes on a scrap of parchment. "Carl, I need your help with something else. A specialized weapon for the temple mission."

  Carl looked up immediately, eyes widening. "What kind of weapon?"

  "Something with significant destructive power," Doc explained. "Focused on fire and heat—the one weakness we know these fungal monsters have. I'm thinking of a single-use, high-yield incendiary device."

  "A bomb?" Carl whispered, his voice a mix of awe and excitement.

  "Essentially, yes. Something that could clear a room of hostiles in one deployment."

  Carl's entire demeanor shifted, his body practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "I could—we could—yes! I have ideas already. Maybe use one of the monster cores for the heat component? And I've been experimenting with some of the alchemical compounds we salvaged..."

  He trailed off, mind clearly racing ahead to design possibilities.

  "Would that be possible to create with our current resources?" Doc asked.

  Carl nodded vigorously. "Absolutely! I mean, it'll be experimental, but between your knowledge and my Arcanite skills, we could definitely build something devastating."

  "Good," Doc said. "Let's get started after you finish the breathing apparatus distribution."

  "This is going to be amazing," Carl said, already pulling materials from his dimensional storage. "I can't wait to see what we create!"

  After distributing the breathing masks, Doc headed back to his tent while Carl and Dulric gathered the remaining materials. Fish trotted alongside him, her amber eyes scanning the perimeter with quiet vigilance.

  "Lux, what's our inventory on monster cores?" Doc asked as he ducked into his tent.

  "You currently possess seven monster cores," Lux replied. "Five from Iron Fang wolves, one from the Ravageboar, and one from the plant monsters. The Ravageboare core has the highest energy signature, followed by the by the Iron Fang wolf cores."

  Doc knelt beside his pack and carefully extracted a small containment case. Inside, the cores glowed with their distinct energies—the Iron Fang cores a steely blue, the Ravageboar core a fiery orange, and the Plant monster core a deep green.

  "The Iron Fang cores should work best for our purposes," Doc mused, selecting one of the steely blue crystals. "They're stable but potent, with a high thermal output potential and beside, I plan on giving the Ravageboar core to one of our fighters, we gonna need all the power we can get"

  Doc pocketed the selected core and sealed the case. "Let's hope Carl can help us translate scientific theory into magical practice."

  Fish watched him with curious eyes as he gathered a few additional tools from his supplies.

  "Don't worry," he told her. "We're just going to make something to help us clear that temple."

  Fish tilted her head, then padded to the tent entrance, clearly ready to accompany him.

  When they arrived at Carl's workshop—a repurposed storage shed with workbenches cobbled together from scrap—the halfling was already arranging materials with meticulous precision. Dulric stood nearby, examining a metal flask with critical eyes.

  "This should hold," the dwarf said, tapping the reinforced container. "Added some extra binding runes along the seams."

  "Perfect!" Carl exclaimed, then turned as Doc entered. "Did you bring the cores?"

  Doc nodded, placing the Iron Fang core on the table. It pulsed with internal energy, casting blue shadows across the wooden surface.

  Carl leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. "Fascinating! I've never worked with a pure wolf core before." He passed his hand over it, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air. "The resonance is strong, but controlled. It's perfect!"

  "How exactly do we transform this into an explosive device?" Doc asked, watching Carl's movements with interest.

  "It's all about energy transference and containment," Carl explained, his earlier nervousness completely gone when discussing his craft. "The core already contains concentrated energy. We just need to create a catalyst that will release it all at once, rather than the slow, sustained output it's designed for."

  "Like overloading a power cell," Doc nodded. "We need to short-circuit its natural energy regulation."

  "Power cell? Short circuit?" Carl tilted his head, momentarily confused by the unfamiliar terminology. Doc noticed his slip into technical jargon and quickly adjusted his approach.

  "Think of it like a water reservoir with a controlled outlet," Doc explained, gesturing with his hands to illustrate. "What we need is to remove all the barriers at once, letting everything rush out in a single powerful surge instead of the steady trickle it's designed for. We're essentially overwhelming its natural containment."

  Carl's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah! Like breaking a dam rather than opening the floodgates! Now that makes perfect sense."

  Dulric nodded at carl explanation but had a confused expression on his face.

  For the next hour, Doc and Carl worked in seamless coordination. Doc provided the theoretical framework—combustion dynamics, explosive yield calculations, and thermal distribution models—while Carl translated these concepts into magical practice.

  "If we bind the core's energy to these flare salts," Carl muttered, carefully measuring a crimson powder, "we can amplify the heat output exponentially."

  "We'll need a containment system that can direct the blast," Doc added, sketching a design on a scrap of parchment. "Something that channels the energy outward in a controlled pattern."

  "I know just the thing!" Carl rummaged through his dimensional storage, eventually pulling out a small crystal vial. "Resonance flask. Usually used for amplifying enchantments, but we can repurpose it."

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  Doc examined the flask. "This could work as our primary containment vessel. We'll need to modify it to include a trigger mechanism."

  "And a delay function," Lux added silently. "Unless you plan to be within the blast radius."

  "We'll need a delayed trigger," Doc said aloud. "Something that gives us time to clear the area."

  Carl nodded enthusiastically. "I can inscribe a time-delay rune sequence. It's tricky, but with your MANTIS gauntlet for precision cutting, we could make it work."

  Dulric watched them with grudging respect. "Never seen anything like this before. Not sure if that's good or bad."

  As they worked, the bomb began taking shape. The Iron Fang core was suspended in a mixture of alchemical compounds within the modified resonance flask. Doc used his MANTIS gauntlet to etch precise patterns into the crystal, while Carl infused each line with magical energy.

  "The core's structure is fascinating," Doc observed as he studied it through a magnification lens. "It's almost like a biological battery, storing energy in crystalline lattices."

  "That's exactly what it is!" Carl exclaimed. "Monsters use cores to power their special abilities. This one probably helped the wolf strengthen its jaws and regulate its body temperature."

  "And now we're repurposing it to generate an explosive reaction," Doc said, carefully adjusting the core's position within the flask.

  "Bioconversion at its finest," Lux commented dryly in Doc's mind.

  By midday, their creation was nearly complete. The Wildfire Bomb—as Carl had enthusiastically named it—glowed with barely contained energy. The Iron Fang core pulsed at its center, surrounded by carefully balanced alchemical compounds and bound by precisely etched runes.

  "It's beautiful," Carl whispered, staring at their creation with undisguised awe.

  "And deadly," Dulric added pragmatically. "How powerful will the blast be?"

  Doc calculated the yield based on their modifications. "If our calculations are correct, it should generate a thermal explosion approximately 15-18 meters in radius. Hot enough to incinerate organic material instantly, but the heat will dissipate quickly beyond that range to minimize collateral damage."

  "Perfect for open terrain," Carl nodded. "but very dangerous if we don't clear the area in time."

  Doc tucked the Wildfire Bomb carefully into its padded container and sealed it with a soft click. The weapon represented their best chance against the fungal horror in the temple, but one weapon alone wouldn't be enough. They needed stronger fighters.

  "Lux, it's time we distribute the remaining cores," Doc said through their neural link as he left Carl's workshop.

  "Tactical analysis supports this decision," Lux replied. "Current inventory includes four Iron Fang cores, one Ravageboar core, and one plant-based core. Distributing these resources would significantly enhance our combat effectiveness."

  Doc nodded, scanning the camp until he spotted Mazoga directing repairs on the eastern gate. Fish followed at his heels as he approached.

  "Maz, do you have a moment?" Doc called.

  She looked up from her work, wiping sweat from her brow. "What's on your mind?"

  "I'd like to talk about resource distribution before our temple mission," Doc said, keeping his voice low. "Specifically, the monster cores I've collected."

  Mazoga raised an eyebrow. "Cores? What about them?"

  "I have six remaining," Doc explained. "I think it's time to distribute them to strengthen our fighters before we face the fungal monster."

  Mazoga gave him a curious look, then shrugged. "They're your cores. If you want to hand them out, I won't stop you. It'll power up our fighters by quite a bit."

  Doc smiled. "Since you're not against the idea, I'd like you to have the Ravageboar core first."

  Mazoga's eyes widened. She clearly recognized the value of what he was offering. The Ravageboar core was the most powerful one in his possession.

  "That's..." she hesitated. "I appreciate the offer, but that core is too valuable to just give away. Maybe someone else would—"

  "You're one of our best melee fighters," Doc interrupted, his voice firm. "I'll need your support when we attack the temple. I'm not giving it to you out of kindness, but necessity."

  His tone was resolute, making it clear his decision was final. Mazoga studied his face for a moment before letting out a low chuckle.

  "Well, when you put it that way," she said, accepting the glowing orange core from his outstretched hand. The core pulsed with energy, casting warm light across her green-gray skin.

  "How does one use a core?" Doc asked, watching her examine it. "I've seen Fish absorb them, but I've never observed the process in someone else."

  Mazoga looked at him with a mixture of amusement and suspicion. "You really aren't from around here, are you?"

  Doc froze, realizing his slip. "I meant, I've never seen a humanoid absorb one. The process might be different."

  She waved away his explanation. "Don't worry. Whatever secrets you're keeping, I won't pry. You saved my life, and now I'll be indebted to you forever with this core." She held up the pulsing crystal. "You want to see how core integration works? I'll show you."

  Mazoga led Doc to a clearing near the edge of camp, away from prying eyes. She sat cross-legged on the ground, holding the Ravageboar core in her open palms.

  "Core absorption isn't complicated, but it requires focus," she explained. "You have to accept the core's essence, let it recognize you as its new vessel."

  She closed her eyes, her breathing becoming slow and deliberate. The core's orange glow intensified, pulsating in rhythm with her heartbeat. Veins of light began to spread from the core, climbing up her arms like luminous vines.

  "The core searches for compatibility," she murmured, her voice strained. "It's... testing me."

  The light grew brighter, and Mazoga's muscles tensed. A fine sheen of sweat covered her forehead as the core's energy swirled around her in translucent ribbons of orange light.

  Suddenly, the core flashed brilliantly and began to dissolve, its solid form breaking down into particles of pure energy that sank into Mazoga's skin. She gasped, her back arching as the last of the core disappeared into her body.

  For several seconds, Mazoga's form glowed with internal light, her silhouette outlined in the same fiery orange as the Ravageboar. Then, with a final pulse, the light faded, leaving only a faint glow beneath her skin that quickly dimmed.

  Mazoga opened her eyes, which briefly flashed with the same orange light before returning to normal. She rose to her feet with fluid grace, rolling her shoulders as if testing new muscles.

  "That..." she breathed, looking down at her hands in wonder, "was more intense than I expected."

  "How do you feel?" Doc asked, fascinated by the transformation.

  "Stronger. More... solid." Mazoga stomped her foot, and Doc swore he felt the ground tremble slightly. "Like I could stand my ground against anything."

  She took a combat stance and thrust her arms forward in a blocking motion. As she did, a subtle wave of force rippled through the air around her, disturbing the grass at their feet.

  "Interesting," she muttered, repeating the motion with more intent. This time, the effect was stronger—a visible pulse of energy that pushed outward from her braced form.

  "Boarback Resilience," she said with a grin. "And something else... something about momentum." She closed her eyes, as if listening to internal knowledge. "Relentless Momentum. The core is teaching me how to absorb force and channel it back."

  Doc watched with scientific curiosity as Mazoga tested her new abilities, moving through combat stances with increasing confidence.

  "I can feel it," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "I'm stronger now. More... immovable." She looked at Doc with newfound respect. "This will make a difference in the temple. Thank you."

  "Now that I've seen the process, I need your advice," Doc said, watching Mazoga flex her hands as the last traces of orange energy faded from her skin. "I have four Iron Fang wolf cores and one plant monster core left. Who would benefit most from them?"

  Mazoga rolled her shoulders, still adjusting to her enhanced strength. "Let's see... Kesh, Tanna, Tor, and Calen already has plant creature cores from your lumber run. They won't need another one so soon."

  "What about the wolf cores? They have a metallic energy signature that might be compatible with certain classes."

  "Give one to Dulric," Mazoga said without hesitation. "The metal-based energy would complement his blacksmith abilities perfectly. Might even unlock new forging techniques."

  Doc nodded. "And the plant core?"

  "Brenn could use that one. His woodworking skills would benefit from plant-based energy. It might help him sense weak points in lumber or strengthen his creations."

  "What about Carl and Bran? Should I offer them cores too?"

  Mazoga shook her head. "Carl still has that panther core you gave him that he hasn't used yet. And Bran's got a plant core from the same lumber run as the rest. They're set for now."

  Doc mentally tallied their enhanced fighters. "This got me thinking about who to take for the temple assault."

  "What's your plan?" Mazoga asked, leaning against a nearby post.

  "Based on what Kesh and I saw, we're dealing with roughly forty-five to fifty or so infected creatures showing coordinated behavior," Doc explained. "My strategy is to bait them into a concentrated area, then detonate the Wildfire Bomb to eliminate most of them at once."

  "And the breathing masks?"

  "That's our limitation. We only have three fully functional masks and the rest are... suboptimal. I was thinking you, me, and Dulric would form the front line. Maybe Tor too. The others could provide ranged support."

  Fish circled them once, then sat at Doc's feet, her amber eyes alert as she listened.

  "We'd need to hold out long enough to attract the fungal swarm, then trigger the bomb as we retreat," Doc continued. "The timing will be critical."

  Mazoga considered his plan, arms crossed. "We should leave Tor, Bran, and Brenn here to defend the camp with one breathing mask. Just in case those fungal monsters launch another attack while we're gone."

  "So just you, me, and Dulric on the front lines?"

  "With the others providing ranged support, yes." Mazoga nodded firmly. "But before we finalize anything, we should gather everyone and discuss this. It's their lives at stake too."

  "Agreed. Let's call a meeting."

  As they walked across the camp to gather the others, Doc noticed the sun hanging low in the sky. The entire day had passed while they worked on the bomb and distributed cores. Time was running short.

  "We'll need to move quickly," Doc said, watching the lengthening shadows. "If the infection continues to spread, we might face more than fifty enemies."

  "Then let's not waste time," Mazoga replied, her voice carrying a new weight of authority enhanced by the Ravageboar's strength.

  Doc gathered the camp's defenders around the remains of the morning fire, the setting sun casting long shadows across their faces. Fish settled at his feet, her amber eyes alert as the others arrived. Mazoga stood at his side, the subtle glow of the Ravageboar core still visible beneath her skin if one looked closely enough.

  "We have a plan to neutralize the fungal threat," Doc announced once everyone had assembled. "But I need your input before we finalize anything."

  He laid out his strategy—three fighters with proper breathing masks would form the front line, luring the infected creatures into a concentrated area before triggering the Wildfire Bomb. The others would provide ranged support from safer positions.

  "The bomb should eliminate most of them in one blast," Doc explained. "But timing will be critical."

  Ironha stepped forward, her silver-toned skin catching the fading light. "I can provide healing potions for the assault team," she offered, then frowned. "But I must caution everyone—if you suspect fungal infection, avoid healing potions entirely. They accelerate growth rates, which would cause the infection to spread faster through your system."

  Doc nodded. "Good point. We'll need to be extremely careful about that."

  Tor crossed his massive arms, his expression darkening. "Why am I being left behind? I should be on the front line."

  Before Doc could respond, Brenn placed a steadying hand on his brother's shoulder. "We need strong defenders here too, Tor. If those things attack while they're gone, who'll protect the rest of the villagers and the children?"

  Tor's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Fine. But I don't like it."

  "Your concern is noted," Doc said, "but Brenn is right. We need capable fighters here as a contingency."

  Carl bounced on his heels, barely containing his excitement. "My improvised launcher is much improved since the last attack! I've reinforced the ignition chamber and calibrated the payload delivery. It should provide excellent backup fire."

  Kesh, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Could the launcher mechanism be modified to work with my bow? I'm more accurate with familiar equipment."

  Carl tilted his head, considering. "Hmm... I'd need to reconfigure the ignition trigger and create a compatible arrow housing, but... yes, that should work! The principle is the same—deliver the incendiary compound to the target."

  "I would appreciate a similar modification," Tanna added softly.

  Calen pushed forward, his eyes bright with unusual enthusiasm. "Could I use the launcher itself? I've never handled anything like it before."

  Carl beamed at the young bandit. "Of course! The base design is actually quite intuitive once you understand the pressure release mechanism."

  Edda and Marron exchanged glances before Edda spoke. "We should learn how to operate these weapons as well. In case..." She left the implication hanging.

  "Absolutely!" Carl nodded vigorously, drawing breath for what promised to be an exhaustive technical explanation.

  Mazoga stepped forward, cutting him off with a raised hand. "We'll have time for detailed instructions later. For now, is everyone satisfied with the overall plan?"

  Nods circulated around the group, some more reluctant than others.

  "Then this meeting is concluded," Mazoga declared. "If anyone has other concerns, we can address them privately."

  As the group dispersed, Doc felt a mixture of pride and apprehension. They were committed now—tomorrow they would face the horror in the temple, armed with science, magic, and desperate courage.

  Doc approached Dulric, who was sharpening a sword at his makeshift forge. The blacksmith looked up, his beard catching the orange glow of the embers.

  "Dulric, I have something for you." Doc held out an Iron Fang wolf core, its crystalline structure gleaming with metallic energy. "Since you'll be on the front line tomorrow, you're going to need every advantage we can give you."

  Dulric's eyes widened slightly as he wiped his hands on his apron and took the core. "This is... generous." He turned the core over in his calloused palm, studying the metallic sheen within. "Iron Fang, isn't it?"

  "Yes. Mazoga thought the metallic energy would complement your blacksmith abilities."

  Dulric nodded slowly. "She's right. Metal calls to metal." He closed his fingers around the core. "Thank you. I won't waste it."

  Doc left Dulric examining the core and found Kesh, Tanna, Calen, and Tor gathered near the eastern wall, discussing patrol rotations.

  "Before tomorrow's mission," Doc said as he approached, "you should all absorb the plant creature cores you received from our lumber expedition. The additional abilities might be crucial."

  Kesh nodded. "I was already planning to do so tonight. The Bramblelash core has been... calling to me."

  "As has mine," Tanna added softly, her canine ears twitching slightly.

  Calen and Tor simply nodded their agreement, though Tor's expression remained stormy at being left behind.

  Doc made his final stop at Brenn's workshop, where the carpenter was carefully finishing a support beam. Doc held out the last plant core.

  "This is for you."

  Brenn looked up in surprise, his hands freezing mid-motion. "Me? But I'm not going to the temple."

  "What's the point of having cores if we don't survive tomorrow?" Doc countered. "The camp needs strong defenders too. This should enhance your woodworking abilities—make your structures more resilient."

  Brenn accepted the core with careful hands. "I... thank you. I'll use it well."

  With his cores distributed, Doc retreated to the central campfire. Night had fallen fully now, casting the camp in shadows broken only by scattered torches and the crackling fire. He finished the last of his stew, setting the wooden bowl aside as Fish curled up at his feet.

  "Cores distributed," Doc subvocalized to Lux. "How are our odds looking?"

  "Calculating based on observed core absorption effects and current combat capabilities," Lux replied. "Probability of success has increased by approximately 27%, but significant variables remain unknown. The fungal entity's full capabilities cannot be accurately modeled with current data."

  Doc stared into the flames, their dance hypnotic against the darkness. Around the camp, he could see faint glows as his companions began absorbing their cores. Near the forge, Dulric sat cross-legged, the wolf core hovering between his palms, threads of metallic light spreading up his arms. By the eastern wall, Kesh's silhouette was outlined in green energy as the Bramblelash core dissolved into his body.

  Similar scenes played out across the camp—Tanna beneath a tree, Calen hidden in the shadows of a watchtower, Tor near the gate, and Brenn in his workshop. Each absorption created a unique light signature, briefly illuminating the night before fading away.

  "Even with these power-ups, we're still facing terrible odds," Doc murmured, watching the embers rise from the fire. "Forty-seven infected creatures with unknown abilities, potentially coordinated by a central intelligence."

  "You've overcome significant challenges before," Lux reminded him.

  "Not like this." Doc rubbed his face. "Not with other lives depending on my decisions."

  Fish nudged his hand with her nose, her amber eyes reflecting the firelight. She seemed to understand his concern, offering silent companionship as he contemplated tomorrow's battle.

  The camp had changed him. These people had changed him. When he'd first crashed on this planet, survival had been his only goal—gather data, find a way home. Now he found himself planning a desperate assault on an ancient temple to save people who had been strangers mere days ago.

  "I'm afraid, Lux," Doc admitted quietly. "Not of dying, but of failing them."

  Around him, the glow of core absorptions continued, each person strengthening themselves for the coming fight—a fight he had committed them to. Their trust weighed on him more heavily than any responsibility he'd carried before.

  The fire burned low, casting long shadows across the camp as Doc sat in silent reflection, the weight of tomorrow's battle settling over him like a shroud.