Their moment of respite was short-lived, however, as they realized the gravity of their situation. The portal had transported them to an unknown location, and the surroundings were nothing like the enchanted realm they had just left behind. The air, thick with the scent of damp earth, clung to their worn clothes. Instead of the mystical landscape, they found themselves amid vast farmland, with trees stretching endlessly into the horizon, their branches swaying gently in the night breeze. It heavily reminded the trio of the second objective.
As Scion scanned their surroundings, a sense of familiarity gnawed at him. His eyes, weathered from the intensity of the battle, squinted into the darkness. Before he could articulate his thoughts, the trio heard a series of sounds—rustling leaves, snapping branches, and the unmistakable crash of a large tree falling.
Scion's instincts kicked in, and he gestured for the others to follow. They moved through the dense foliage, guided by the cacophony of sounds. The ground beneath their tired feet was uneven, a mix of fallen leaves and tangled roots. After a few minutes, the noises became harder to pinpoint in the labyrinth of trees. However, the trio persevered, their determination unwavering, each step a testament to the resilience etched on their faces.
The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting a surreal glow on their exhausted figures.
Eve, her normally flowing hair now a dishevelled cascade of strands, exchanged a glance with Luke. His eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, now held a depth of exhaustion and determination. Scion, leading the way with a furrowed brow, couldn't shake the feeling that their journey had only just begun.
As they pressed on, the sounds grew louder, guiding them through the maze of trees. The air was alive with the symphony of the night—the chirping of unseen creatures and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Each step brought them closer to the heart of the disturbance.
Finally, they stumbled upon a clearing where a tall, imposing figure was in the midst of felling a tree. The woman had short, tousled hair, a toned physique, and an aura of exhaustion. Scion's eyes widened in recognition—it was Michelle Scarlet, the formidable opponent he had faced in his second combat test.
"Michelle!" Scion called out, relief flooding his voice. Michelle, though tired, turned towards them with a mixture of surprise and recognition. Her features, masculine in nature, softened as she realized it was the person she had sparred with in the combat test.
A soft smile crossed Michelle's face as she welcomed their presence. "Hey... Scion, right?" She nodded towards the others, acknowledging Eve and Luke. "Can you... help a bit? I'm running on fumes here."
The trio rushed to Michelle's side. Luke used his electric powers to check her pulse, while Scion and Eve gathered materials and began constructing a makeshift shelter for the night. The air was tense with the realization that their journey was far from over.
Several hours passed, and Michelle stirred, her eyes slowly opening to the sight of Luke squeezing her left breast. "What... What do you think you're doing?" she asked, a mix of confusion and suspicion in her voice.
Luke, unfazed, grinned and explained, "Just keeping your pulse in check. You fainted, and we didn't want any surprises."
Michelle, realizing the situation, sighed and nodded. "I owe you one, so I won't be upset."
As the night settled in, Scion and Eve managed to create a small campfire. Scion, drawing on the solar energy within him, ignited the wood, while Eve manipulated the wind to breathe life into the flames. The trio huddled around the fire, the warmth providing a semblance of comfort in the darkness.
Now more alert, Michelle asked, "How long has it been?"
Scion glanced at his wrist, realizing his watch had been damaged in the battle. "About eight hours, I'd say."
A relieved smile crossed Michelle's face. "I guess I owe you guys one. Thanks for saving me."
The trio chuckled, the camaraderie forged in the heat of battle carrying them through the challenges they faced. Scion, ever the strategist, couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He glanced at the dense forest around them, his senses tingling with a strange familiarity.
As if on cue, Michelle voiced what they all sensed. "This place... it feels odd. Like I've been here before."
Scion remarked, "This is quite a familiar place, I have a feeling I know where we might be."
Scion's remark reminded Michelle about her lingering questions. "Scion, how did you guys get here and where are we?"
Scion explained their situation, recounting the battle they had faced and their shutting down of the portal. Michelle listened intently, her eyes widening with each detail.
Michelle's gaze shifted from one face to another as Scion spoke, absorbing the weight of their journey. "So, let me get this straight," she interjected, her tone blending incredulity and curiosity. "We're in some otherworldly place with mana and an enchanted realm? And you guys just had a showdown with a strong creepy man?" Her eyes lingered on Scion, seeking confirmation.
Luke with a teasing tone spoke out "Looks like someone hasn't been studying." Michelle looked back at Luke, "At least I don't fondle a girl's breasts while they're unconscious." Luke responded, "I was only trying to save you, if you want, let us change that."
"Guys, this isn't the time to be arguing." Scion was serious and then looked at Michelle. He nodded, the moonlight casting shadows on his worn face and responded to Michelle's previous doubts. "You're right. And the portal we came through is closed. We're stuck here."
Eve, her eyes reflecting the dance of the flickering flames, added, "We thought we had won, but turns out our adversary was tougher than we anticipated."
Luke chimed in with a calm grin, "Yeah, and now we're in a farmland surrounded by endless trees, which is a far cry from the magical realm we were in."
Michelle ran a hand through her tousled hair, a gesture of both frustration and acceptance. "Well, isn't this just fantastic. Stranded in another realm with no way back." She sighed, the weight of their predicament settling in.
Scion, ever the optimist, looked at Michelle with a determined glint in his eyes. "But we're not giving up. We'll find a way back. We always do."
Michelle met his gaze, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You're as stubborn as ever, Scion."
As the conversation continued, the group shared their experiences of the battle and the strange realm they found themselves in. Luke, always one for humour, injected moments of levity, lightening the sombre atmosphere. Eve, though exhausted, added insights about the mana density and the peculiar energies of the enchanted realm.
The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the faces of the weary warriors. Michelle, leaning against a tree trunk, absorbed the information and the camaraderie that seemed to be the only constant in their unpredictable journey.
Even after all the interactions, Scion had another thought in his mind and decided to voice it out. "Michelle, how did you end up here?"