The meal worked wonders on Johnn's stamina. Fueled by the nutrient-dense breakfast, he felt a surge of vitality that cleared the last of his morning grogginess. He stood up, adjusted his gear, and looked toward the dense treeline with renewed fire in his eyes.
"Today's the deadline, Maddy," he said, his voice firm. "We find the Bloom today, or we don't find it at all. I'm not letting that father down and her daughter."
He began to carve a path through the brush, his blade swinging with fresh vigor. He was a whirlwind of motion, dispatching wandering Mandrakes and clearing tangled thickets before they could even twitch. He was more determined than ever, driven by the belief that he had to be the one to protect Maddy and complete the mission.
