"Grr! I'm going to get you!" Oak laughed, chasing after a little boy who was much faster than he looked. They weaved in and out of the trees, dodging each other's tackles and trying to gain the upper hand. Behind them, Caspian was having a lively game of his own with several other children, their laughter filling the air. The other children seemed to take to the pair of them easily, appreciating their kindness and playfulness.

"You can't catch me!" The boy giggled, dodging Oak's clumsy attempt to grab him. They continued their game, weaving through the trees and around the large trunk of the tree. Eventually, Oak managed to get ahold of the boy and tickled him until he squirmed and laughed uncontrollably. "Alright, you win this round!" he panted, letting the boy go. The boy grinned up at him, then dashed off to tag another player.

"I swear human children have a lot of energy," Caspian laughed, watching the boy tag another player. "They never seem to tire out." Oak nodded in agreement, wiping the sweat from her brow. "It's amazing how much fun they can have just running around and playing tag." They both took a moment to catch their breath, watching the other children as they continued to play.

"We have been here for 30 minutes, and we still have to get the charcoal piece we need from the fairies. Do you think it's a good idea to wait until tomorrow?" Caspian asked, looking at Oak as they watched the children play. "They seem to be enjoying themselves quite a bit, and we can always help them with their chores later." Oak nodded in agreement. "Yes, I think that would be best. We don't want to rush them. Besides, it's not like we have anywhere else to be." They both chuckled softly, feeling content for the moment just watching the children play.

"Remember that panther? She told us we needed to find a sprig of mistletoe for air and a handful of river stones for water to complete the ritual."Oak said, thinking about the conversation they had with the panther before they came to the village. "And we should probably also ask her about the ritual itself, to make sure we understand what we're supposed to do." Caspian nodded, a little surprised that they hadn't thought of that earlier. "You're right. We should go visit her tomorrow, after we help the children with their chores."

According to myths and stories, panthers have been the guardians of the moon across the world, and the female cat they have encountered and shown the way was no different. She lived deep within the forest, in a cave hidden behind a waterfall, far from any civilization. It was said that she had been there for centuries, watching over the mooncrawlers and protecting them from harm.

Caspian and Oak don't understand why the panther had only shown them the hovering crystal above the ground with other gaurdians before showing them the way to the village. The panther has been their guide and protector since the beginning. Maybe she had a good reason for it, or maybe it was just part of the mysterious cycle of life in the MoonCraven world. Whatever the reason, they were grateful for her help and protection.

The faeries were the first tusks to bring them charcoal, and then they asked the other fairies to help as well. The next day, they found the missing child in their village and brought the baby back to their worried mother without issue. They then went to see the panther in her cave, deep within the forest.

"We'll help the children with the chores, then we'll go for the faeries the next morning." Caspian agreed, looking forward to spending more time with the young ones. As they parted ways with the children, they made sure to thank them for their help and friendship. The village seemed to be thriving, with laughter filling the air and children playing games throughout the day. It was a far cry from the harsh realities of the outside world, and Caspian felt a sense of peace wash over him as he walked alongside Oak toward the forest.

"Should we turn in for the night? It's dusk already." Caspian asked Oak as they walked through the forest, the light starting to fade away. The forest seemed to come alive with its own magic as the sun set, casting long shadows across the path and the trees swaying gently in the breeze. They could hear the calls of various nocturnal animals, their songs echoing through the trees.

Oak nodded her head in agreement. They have to wait till morning to see the faeries again to get the charcoal they need for the ritual, but first they should rest and gather their strength. As they continued to walk through the forest, they came across a small clearing with a small stream flowing through it. The water was crystal clear, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers. It seemed like the perfect spot to make camp for the night.

"This is the perfect spot to sleep for the night," Caspian hummed as he gazed around the clearing. "Do you want to take first watch, or shall I?" he asked, already beginning to lay out their bedrolls by the stream. Oak shrugged, sitting down beside him.

The stars above their heads twinkled and shone in all of their glory, as if they were competing against each other to see who could be the brightest. The sounds of the forest filled the air, from the rustling of leaves to the hoot of an owl in the distance. Oak took her turn sitting and watching while Caspian slept, enjoying the peacefulness of the night and feeling grateful for their companionship. She thought about the panther they were going to see tomorrow and wondered what secrets she might share with them about the ritual.

"We'll see the faeries; if they can give us the charcoal, then we'll chat with the panther." Oak said to Caspian, already thinking about the day ahead. The sun was just beginning to peek through the treetops, casting long shadows across the forest floor. They had spent a restful night, with the sound of the stream lulling them to sleep and the warmth of the fire keeping them cozy. Now, with a new day dawning, they were eager to continue their quest.