After they had found a cozy cave to spend the night, the team planned once again for the next day. It seemed like it was what they were always doing: resting and planning ahead. Their days were starting to feel the same, full of danger and the fear that they wouldn't see the next.
With Cerene's Realm Articulating Map, they deciphered that they were truly very close now to the changing mountains. Linne was reminded that she was going to take over at that point and lead the path through the mountains to the Center.
As Linne placed some pieces of the Shrike meat they had taken over Thorin's fire, Spheris sat with legs crossed, silent. He was siphoning the dark energy of the night, replenishing himself and powering his Essence.
This act could happen naturally when in rest or asleep. But in deep meditation, if Spheris offered himself to the darkness as some sort of unfillable vessel, then he could accumulate more shadow energy to augment his Essence.