Once the threads were positioned in front of him, Gorg took a leap backwards, unleashing a flurry of swift motions as he whipped the threads around him. While he was still in the early stages of mastering his newly awakened gift, this was the best display of control he could manage at the moment.

"Whoooshh!" Gorg marvelled at the sight of his gift effortlessly slicing through the oncoming Vylkr vines with the razor-sharp threads. They coiled around the vines, snapping them in two before they had a chance to inch any closer to him, ensuring that not a single vine could even graze his skin.

And just like that, unlike the struggles they faced yesterday, Tala and the rest were now resolute in sweeping away and eradicating every Vylkr vine within their vicinity. They pushed forward with resolve, refusing to yield an inch. Even Ursa had mastered the technique, realizing that she could enhance her speed to generate enough momentum to dig her dagger deep into the Vylkr vines.

As Ursa levitated higher off the ground, she discovered a newfound agility in her movements. With grace and instinct, she deftly fought off the encroaching Vylkr vines, effortlessly manoeuvring between their tangled masses. Her elevated position granted her a strategic advantage, enabling her to navigate through the midst of the vines and strike them down with precision.

This continued for an exhilarating twenty minutes, surpassing their previous record by far. The relentless battle against the Vylkr vines raged on, their endurance unwavering. However, amidst the intense fray, Warrior Jean's commanding voice suddenly echoed from behind them, cutting through the chaos.

"Alright, it's time to return!" his voice boomed, reaching the ears of every warrior. Without hesitation, they abandoned their defensive positions, swiftly making their way back. One by one, they retreated, except for Orion. He remained steadfast in the heart of the Vylkr vines, engulfed in the symphony of his crackling lightning and the subtle tremors caused by the vine's demise. Unyielding, he relentlessly pressed forward, slashing and incinerating the vines, driving deeper into their midst.

Witnessing Orion's relentless savagery, Warrior Jean couldn't help but release a weary yet satisfied sigh. A wide grin slowly etched itself onto his lips as he shook his head in awe. 'That boy,' he thought, marvelling at Orion's relentless pursuit. Stepping forward, he extended his right arm toward the looming mass of Vylkr vines, his open palm radiating power.

In an instant, he activated his gift, unleashing descending spheres of air with incredible force. The Vylkr vines were decimated upon impact, torn apart by the sheer might of his attack. Adjusting his aim, he directed a few more spheres towards the area where Orion was, intending to catch his attention. Satisfied that he had succeeded, Warrior Jean swiftly shifted his position once again, to aim at his next target.

For approximately a minute, the relentless onslaught of the Vylkr vines subsided, and Orion, drawn by the explosive bursts of dense air from Warrior Jean, reconnected with the group. Warrior Jean turned towards the group and spoke, his voice carrying a sense of authority, "While you rest, go ahead and gather the Vylkr vines to fill yourselves up." With that, he turned away and made his way towards the remaining Vylkr vines, his arms extended to collect an armful of the twisted vegetation. Carefully cradling the vines against his chest, he retraced his steps back to the tree where he had rested.

As Warrior Jean passed by the group, he didn't even need to glance their way as he issued a notice, "Just remember, you need to be back on your feet within the next thirty minutes. So, whatever you're doing or planning, make it quick." The group nodded in understanding and swiftly scattered, each member rushing to claim their share of the scattered Vylkr vines. Some, like Grim, Orion, and Ursa, chose to settle amidst the remnants of the vines and feast on their portion. Observing their actions, Gorg and Tala, who had initially kept their distance, decided to join in the communal gathering.

.............

"This should do it," Celeste murmured, her gaze fixed on the three meticulously crafted clay pots before her. A mix of anticipation and weariness lingered in her voice as she continued, "I hope I can sell them tomorrow." Her tired sigh carried the weight of missed opportunities, knowing she could have made one more pot if not for the exhaustion in her legs from having Kushi with her son yesterday.

"Knock! Knock!" The abrupt sound of someone rapping on her door echoed through Celeste's ears. A perplexed expression etched itself upon her face, as she was not expecting any visitors at this time of the afternoon. Nevertheless, she swiftly washed the clay residue from her hands and stepped out of her backyard, deciding to discover the identity of the unexpected guest.

"Knock! Knock!!" The persistent sound reverberated once more as Celeste cautiously opened the door, her initial words getting caught in her throat. Her astonishment was discernible as her eyes scanned the unexpected group standing before her. Grandma Celia, Ingrid, Meldra, and Vivian all stood there, but it was the radiant, beaming smile of Grandma Derry that seized her attention. A sense of foreboding crept into Celeste's heart as she wondered, 'What do they all want?'.

With the tension in the air becoming palpable, Grandma Celia was the first to break the silence. Her voice carried a hint of concern as she asked, "Can we come in?".

Still, in a daze, Celeste nodded and swung the door open wide, stepping aside as she watched the group enter her home. Closing the door behind them, she led them to the centre of the room where they all settled on the floor. Celeste positioned herself facing Grandma Celia, Ingrid, and Meldra, while Grandma Vivian and Derry took their places behind them.

With a solemn expression, Grandma Ingrid took the lead and addressed Celeste, her gaze fixed upon her. "First of all, we apologize for this sudden interruption without prior notice," she began, shaking her head in remorse. "However, something of great importance has emerged, and we couldn't wait another day to inform you." Celeste furrowed her brows, her curiosity piqued as she tried to unravel the meaning behind Grandma Ingrid's words. The rare gathering of all of them together sent a shiver down her spine, indicating that whatever was about to be revealed carried immense significance.