The dark mist twisted through the trees, its tendrils reaching out like cold, unseen fingers stretching across the forest floor. Shadows deepened, and the atmosphere grew heavier, charged with an unsettling energy that seemed to infect even the air. This was not just a test anymore; it was something far darker.
Elena moved swiftly through the forest, her gaze scanning the shadows as she led a small group of injured students to safer ground. Her mind was occupied by the disturbing stories they'd shared: rumors of a strange monster lurking in the woods, an aura of dark mana suffocating everything it touched, and a thick mist that drained vitality from anyone exposed for too long. Despite her composed exterior, Elena's worry gnawed at her.
"Has anyone seen Lucius?" she asked, almost as an afterthought, though it held more weight than she'd admit. Her question was met with blank stares and shrugs.
"No, I haven't seen him anywhere," one student replied hesitantly. "At least not in this part of the forest."
Another shook his head, adding, "If he's still around, he's probably on the other side, but it's been chaotic."
The lack of information only fueled her unease. Lucius's neutral, indifferent smile flashed in her mind, catching her off guard. She quickly brushed the thought aside, convincing herself that she was simply worried about his safety. It's not like I'm thinking about him… in any other way. She scolded herself, focusing back on her mission.
...
Ash's sword cut through the air with practiced precision, finishing off the last of a series of lesser-tier magic beasts. He stepped back, assessing the injured students around him. Without hesitation, he began helping them to their feet, offering mana to those who were depleted and checking on their condition.
"Are you all alright?" he asked, his gaze steady. "Do any of you know what's happening in this forest?"
The students shared anxious glances. Some shook their heads, too frazzled to speak, while others muttered theories about the forest's strange transformation. One, barely able to stand, voiced a growing consensus. "Whatever's causing this… it's pushing everything here to its limits. The beasts are more aggressive; even the forest itself feels… wrong."
Ash listened carefully, weighing their words. He could understand their fear; the energy around them was unlike anything he had encountered before. But his mind was focused, analytical, piecing together the details as best he could.
Suddenly, his instincts flared. He felt a cold, ominous mana approaching, one that sent an involuntary shiver down his spine.
"Run!" Ash's voice was sharp, commanding. "Head east—now!"
The students froze in confusion, staring at him, until his urgent tone broke through their hesitation. "Go, quickly!"
They scattered, running as fast as their injuries allowed, while Ash stayed behind, drawing his sword. He shifted his stance, augmenting his body with mana, his senses tuned to the threat looming closer.
The dark mist coiled and parted as something emerged from the shadows. Ash's eyes widened as he took in the figure before him—a tall, distorted silhouette that bore a twisted resemblance to a human woman, yet was undoubtedly monstrous. Her skin was a mottled gray, with dark veins pulsating across her form, and her limbs were elongated, stretching in unnatural ways. Her eyes were hollow, almost as if devoid of any soul, and her mouth twisted into a sinister, knowing smile.
She stared at him, her head tilting slightly as if curious. Then, to Ash's shock, the monstrous figure smiled, her teeth sharp and unnatural, radiating a dark joy that made his blood run cold.
.….
Far from the turmoil below, Lucius stood on a cliffside overlooking the forest. From his vantage point, he could see the dark mana mist spreading across the landscape, consuming trees and obscuring the terrain in a sinister fog. His gaze was steady, his mind calculating. He noted the patterns of the mist, the areas where it seemed most concentrated, and the signs of movement below.
Across from him stood Elandrialith, the dark elf woman, her piercing gaze fixed on her forest. Her expression betrayed a tempest of emotions—anger, sorrow, and a simmering frustration. Her hands clenched as if trying to grasp the weight of her surroundings, her body tensed in a way that showed her inner conflict.
Lucius watched her with a dismissive glance. She's furious, he thought, but he couldn't afford to let her emotions distract him. They had a mission, and there was no time for sympathy or sentimental concerns. Her forest may be in peril, but he had other priorities.
Lowering his gaze, he looked down at the two white lilies he held in his hands, the faint glow emanating from their petals casting an ethereal light. He knew their power and the role they would play in saving the forest. But there was an urgency pressing on him, and he couldn't delay.
Finding Ash among the chaos would be no easy task. Lucius took one last look at Elandrialith, who remained rooted in place, watching the mist encroach on her home.
With a deep breath, Lucius steeled himself. I can't afford to wast any more time here. If Ash isn't found soon… The thought lingered, unfinished, as he turned back toward the vast forest, lilies in hand.