As the teams ventured deeper into the dense and mystical forest, the race for the Elder Tree became intense. Among the five competing teams, El, Thai, Raven, and Tabitha formed the Red team, with Raven clutching their team's flag tightly. Their rivalry with Lucian, Geralt, Kara, and Fletcher from the Brown team added an extra layer of competition to the hunt.
Thailos, always strategic and observant, warned his team about potential dangers. "Watch out for traps," he cautioned. "I saw the Yellow team with bags filled with traps. The Duwende are great inventors, and they can easily install them."
The squad continued to hurry through the forest, their senses sharp and their wits about them. "I think we should set up camp here," Tabitha suggested. The sacred Elder Tree still lay 150 kilometers away, and the forest was teeming with other creatures that could delay their progress. Tabitha's suggestion made sense with the possibility of traps ahead and the need to conserve their energy.
Tabitha skillfully cast a void spell, creating a concealed campsite shielding their presence from other teams. With this basic void spell, they could safely set up a fire for cooking without the smoke giving away their location.
Thailos, impressed by Tabitha's magic, couldn't help but compliment her. "I never knew you could create such a huge void," he remarked.
Tabitha responded playfully, her confidence shining through. "It's easy, wise man."
Meanwhile, Raven carefully placed the team's flag at the center of the campsite and joined El in gathering firewood. As they worked together, a moment of quiet passed between them.
El eventually broke the silence. "Hey, I'll leave the barrier for a while. I'll go find some mushrooms for food," he suggested.
Raven nodded and followed him, the two venturing into the mystical forest to forage for food.
As El and Raven gathered food and firewood, El's keen eyes spotted members of other teams collecting various roots and cotton fruit nearby. Raven, noting their outnumbered position, whispered, "We're outnumbered. Let's head the other way."
They began to walk away cautiously, but their attempt to escape was thwarted when they stumbled upon Lucian, who was waiting for them, wearing a sly grin. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" El tried to backtrack and shouted, "We're here!" alerting the teams collecting roots nearby.
The other teams were alarmed by El's call and left their task, joining Lucian. He grabbed Raven's hand, and they attempted to flee. Lucian, enjoying the situation, taunted them, "You think we're on different teams? Fool! I paid them to join the hunt and have you outnumbered."
He continued to explain, filled with smug satisfaction, "You see, there are eight of us and only two of you. You're trapped!"
In the heat of the moment, tensions flared and emotions ran high. "Coward!" Raven's words echoed through the air, piercing the silence that had once enveloped the group. The provocation was too much for Lucian to bear, his anger rising to the surface. Without a second thought, he lashed out, delivering a powerful kick to El's chest, sending him crashing.
But Lucian's rage did not stop there. Fueled by his fury, he turned his attention to Raven, his hand connecting with her cheek in a resounding slap. The shock of his actions rippled through the onlookers, their gasps filling the space between heartbeats. "How dare you!" Lucian's voice trembled with indignation.
The other guys swiftly moved in, taking hold of El and restraining him from retaliating. El struggled against their grip, his eyes blazing with defiance and desperation. But it was futile; he was trapped, helpless against the overwhelming strength of his adversaries. Lucian, encouraged by his dominance, taunted El with a chilling declaration. "I can beat you right now if I want to," he sneered, his voice laced with menace and superiority.
Kara, a member of Lucian's team, could no longer stand idly by. She stepped forward, attempting to intervene and defuse the explosive situation. "Stop it now, Lucian!" Kara intervened, her voice firm and authoritative.
"Oh, shut it! This man broke my shield and shamed me in front of everyone. What would he feel if I beat his friend in front of him?" Lucian grinned and laughed maliciously.
But just before Lucian could deliver a blow to El, Raven, consumed by a surge of rage and anger, chanted a powerful incantation. Her words resonated with the elements, and suddenly, a fierce wind erupted from her, sweeping across the area with a mighty force. "Buhangin!" she incanted, her voice echoing with authority. The unexpected gust caught everyone off guard, scattering them in all directions. Even Tabitha and Thai within the barrier were alerted by the sudden display of magic.
As the enchantment subsided and the scattered group members regrouped, Lucian found himself on the ground, still clutching his sword tightly. He wore a scowl on his face, a mixture of frustration and anger, while his teammates slowly gathered around him, their expressions a blend of shock and disarray.
Overwhelmed by her desire for revenge, Raven was on the verge of attacking Lucian. Her eyes blazed with an intensity that threatened to consume her, but El, ever the calming presence, stepped in and held her back. He wrapped his arms around her, offering solace and reassurance, and in that embrace, Raven's fiery anger began to wane.
Tabitha and Thai hurried to join El and Raven, their expressions mirroring the tension in the air. Having witnessed Raven's outburst, Tabitha couldn't help but express her disappointment. "She's as violent as ever," she commented, her voice tinged with disapproval and concern.
With Lucian held captive and the rest of his team fleeing, the immediate threat had passed. Tabitha, acting quickly, bound Lucian securely, preventing any further aggression. The situation had taken an emotional toll on Raven, and she sought solace in El's comforting embrace, her tears a testament to the turmoil she had experienced.
"I was worried he might beat you up," Raven admitted, her voice quivering with vulnerability.
El, his arms still wrapped around her, offered words of reassurance. "He won't, I'm sure he won't."
Amidst the emotional aftermath, Thailos lightened the mood with a playful jab, teasingly suggesting that El and Raven should "get a room." Tabitha joined in with a touch of humor, playfully feigning jealousy at the emotional scene she had just witnessed.
Tensions within the group remained palpable, simmering just beneath the surface. Inside the barrier, El tended to the cooking of mushrooms he had collected, attempting to create a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos that had unfolded.
Meanwhile, Thailos couldn't resist the urge to tease Lucian, who remained bound, and kept pestering him with questions about his failed attempt at aggression.
Tabitha, however, chose a different approach. She approached Raven, her words laden with provocation. "You went berserk, huh? That's why I don't trust you. You are violent, just like your father," Tabitha needled.
Raven, her emotions still raw from the recent confrontation with Lucian, couldn't contain her frustration. "That's enough!" she exclaimed, her voice cutting through the air. Her outburst caught the attention of everyone in the vicinity, including El, Thailos, and even Lucian, who had overheard the commotion.
Tabitha's comment had struck a deep chord within Raven, reopening old wounds that she had long tried to heal. The mention of her father's actions, death, and the legacy he had left behind were sensitive subjects that had haunted Raven for years. The pain and anger she felt were evident in her voice as she confronted Tabitha. "Why do you always bring that up? He's dead already! What more do you want from me?"
Raven's emotions overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her face. "All I ever want is to clear his name. He was innocent—" Raven's voice cracked with grief before she could finish her sentence, leaving her thoughts hanging in the air.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the area just beyond their barrier. The ground quaked beneath them, and the forest was filled with the sounds of chaos and panic. A teacher's urgent voice penetrated the turmoil. "This is not a drill; the capital has been attacked!" they shouted, their words sending shockwaves through the gathered students.
The news sent shockwaves through the group, their hearts pounding with fear and uncertainty. Smoke billowed in the direction of the capital, a dark plume staining the sky. "Make your way to the sacred tree immediately!" another teacher commanded, their voice resolute and unwavering.
The once-competitive hunt had transformed into a dire situation. The illusion of the game had been shattered, replaced by the grim reality that the capital had fallen under attack. Lucian, no longer their captive, cried out, "Untie me, losers!" El wasted no time in freeing him from his bindings. The game was over, and the weight of the situation hung heavy in the air; the capital had been seized, and their world had been turned upside down.
The forest echoed with the desperate cries of students, and the sinister figures of Manananggals and Pantianacs loomed in pursuit. Chaos reigned as teachers and guards fought valiantly to hold the enemy at bay, forming a defensive line to protect the fleeing students.
Amid the mayhem, El's absence did not go unnoticed. "Where is El?" Tabitha's voice trembled with concern as she scanned the frantic crowd.
"Leave him!" Lucian's demand was sharp, his fear and panic driving him to push forward. He grabbed hold of Raven and Tabitha, his grip firm and unyielding, forcing them to run alongside him. Panic and survival instincts fueled their steps, propelling them deeper into the forest.
Thailos, on the other hand, displayed his characteristic composure, pausing to help other students who had fallen behind. "There's a cave in the middle of the forest," he shouted to Lucian over the chaos. "Wait there; it'll provide shelter for the students until we can assess the situation."
Raven and Tabitha, still in shock from the sudden attack, followed Lucian, their hearts heavy with worry for El.
El quickly caught up with Thailos, his heart pounding as they navigated through the dense forest. The Kapre siblings, Mychal and Ryka, ran alongside them, their expressions a mix of fear and determination.
Thailos, ever the strategist, voiced his concerns. "We have to catch up with Lucian. I agree that heading to the dungeon is the safest option for now. At this rate, the Pantianacs might catch up to us."
El nodded in agreement, his mind racing with worry for Raven and Tabitha, who were now with Lucian. As they hurried forward, their footsteps echoing the urgency of the situation, they knew that the path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty.
Inside the cave, as the tension began to ease and the group caught their breath, a sense of unity prevailed. Lucian, Kara, and Geralt were finally reunited with Tabitha and Raven. They all gathered to discuss their next steps.
Kara expressed concern about how El and Thailos would reach their location. Tabitha reassured her, "No worries, before we left, I created a spell where they could see the barrier."
Raven, still filled with worry, inquired about El. Tabitha responded playfully, "My boyfriend? Oh, I did the same for him as well," earning a playful eye-roll from Raven.
Meanwhile, inside the dungeon, other teams of students were also helping one another. Some had formed alliances to fend off the pursuing creatures, while others were tending to the injured. The maroon and yellow teams had joined forces to set up a magical barrier for added protection.
Lucian, sensing the need for reconciliation, approached Raven and offered a heartfelt apology. "I am sorry about earlier. I was just caught up in the moment," he admitted, his sincerity shining through his words. Raven just smiled and helped the others.
Thailos, El, and the Kapre siblings were still on their way to a small cave nestled on the side of a mountain. The faint outline of the cave's entrance became more distinct as they drew closer. Mychal, one of the Kapre siblings, voiced his concern about the darkness surrounding them.
"It's dark out there," Mychal remarked, his voice tinged with unease.
El, however, reassured the group with confidence. "Don't worry; Tabitha set up a barrier. It's a good hiding spot."
Thailos nodded in agreement. "Tabitha's barriers are always reliable," he commented. "Once we reach the cave, we should be safe for the time being. Let's hope the others can find their way here too."
As they continued their approach, the anticipation of reuniting with the rest of their group hung in the air. The eerie atmosphere of the cave's interior, illuminated only by the faint glow of magical torches, awaited their arrival. Thailos, El, and the Kapre siblings remained on alert, prepared for the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead as they neared their destination.
As Raven saw El and the group approaching, relief washed over her, and she couldn't contain her emotions. Without hesitation, she rushed towards El and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. The fear of the unknown, the chaos they had witnessed, all melted away in that moment of embrace.
Tabitha, too, couldn't hide her sense of relief at seeing Thailos safe and sound. She hurried over to him, playfully punching him on the chest. "Glad you're safe, old man," Tabitha quipped, a playful glint in her eye.
Thailos, wearing a smile that revealed both gratitude and affection, responded, "No hug?"
Tabitha's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned away, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Next time," she mumbled, but the hint of a smile played on her lips.
Overcome with concern and worry, Raven also approached Thailos and wrapped her arms around him in a heartfelt hug. She was genuinely relieved to see them unharmed and together again.
Always caring and responsible, El immediately turned his attention to Mychal and his wounded siblings. "Please, help Mychal and his siblings," he requested, concern evident in his voice. "Gabryal is badly wounded from the traps."
Skylar, one of the Duwende, approached with a look of regret. He apologized for setting up the traps earlier for the hunt, realizing the harm it had unintentionally caused.
Inside the small mountain cave, the students gathered in groups, huddled together as they sought refuge from the chaos outside. Each team found their own space within the cave, their faces marked with a mixture of relief and anxiety.
The Red team, consisting of El, Thai, Raven, and Tabitha, remained close, their bond stronger than ever after the recent ordeal. Their collective experience had forged a deeper connection among them, and they were determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead as a united front.
The Kapre siblings, with Mychal still nursing his wounds, found solace among their fellow students, who offered assistance and support. Skylar, the Duwende who had set up the traps, continued to express his remorse for the unintended consequences of his actions.
The other teams, once competitors in the hunt, now shared a common goal: survival. They too had sought shelter in the cave, their previous rivalries set aside in the face of a greater threat.