Mr. Johnson's voice boomed from the other side of the room. "Alright, enough! Give Jeremiah some space." He approached, his usual calm demeanor a little shaken. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, concern etched in his features. "Jeremiah, where were you?"
I swallowed hard, knowing there was no easy way out of this. I couldn't tell him the truth, and blaming Kofi wasn't an option.
"I... got lost," I lied, forcing the words out. "Went for a walk, my flashlight died, and when I tried to turn back, the rain made the terrain slippery. I fell and ended up farther down the mountain than I thought."
His brow furrowed, the skepticism clear on his face. "We were about to send out a search party."
"I'm sorry," I said quickly, guilt settling in the pit of my stomach. "It won't happen again."
A heavy silence followed, and Mr. Johnson didn't look convinced. After a long pause, he sighed. "Alright. But you're staying close by for the rest of the trip. No more wandering off. Understood?"
I nodded, feeling the weight lift slightly from my chest. "Yeah, I understand."
The tension in the room began to dissolve as the group slowly dispersed, leaving me with Adrian, Javone, and Amanda.
"What really happened out there?" Adrian asked quietly once the others were gone.
I glanced at him, then around the room to make sure no one was listening. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me," he insisted.
I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the ring in my pocket. The temptation to spill everything—about the tests, the creatures, the ring—was overwhelming. But the warnings from Aldrov echoed in my mind. He would come after me, and I couldn't drag them into it. They wouldn't be able to help.
"It's better if you don't know," I said finally, shaking my head.
Adrian gave me a long, searching look, but didn't press. "Alright," he said, "but if you need help... you know where to find me."
I managed a small smile, genuine this time. "Thanks."
As Adrian walked away, I sank onto one of the bunks, exhaustion weighing me down. My muscles ached, and my mind raced, trying to piece together what came next. The challenges, the ring—none of it was over yet.
I sat there, staring ahead, the night's events pressing down on me. My body screamed in pain, but my mind spun even faster, though there was an odd sense of calm I hadn't felt before.
I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. Part of me was glad I hadn't taken it into the cave—it would've been useless down there. Now, though, I needed it. I needed something to remind me of the world I knew. My fingers moved instinctively as I typed in "Papa Bois" and "Aldrov." I needed answers. Those names had been haunting me since the Echo of Regret.
But when I hit "search," nothing happened. I blinked at the screen, confused, then looked at the signal bar. No reception. Of course. I clicked my teeth in frustration and shoved the phone back into my bag. No answers today.
I let out a long breath. It was so quiet. Too quiet. For the first time, I was alone with my thoughts, and I couldn't believe all that had happened in one night.
My mind drifted back to the moment I stood at the edge of the dark path. I remembered the fear gripping me, my legs heavy, almost like they weren't mine. Kofi's challenge echoed in my head—retrieve the magic artifact, and he'd leave me alone. I hadn't believed him. I thought it was just another cruel game. But deep down, I knew I couldn't keep running from him. I had no choice.
The darkness swallowed me as I walked that path, my flashlight flickering before dying. I cursed under my breath, frustrated that I'd bought cheap batteries. Of course I had. But the moonlight guided me, dim though it was, and the further I went, the more I realized , what I thought was a sick revenge from Kofi became something bigger—something ancient. I had stepped into a world of magic, of gods and monsters.
I thought about the challenges—the Pit of Shadows, the Riddle of the Echoes, the Endless Climb. Each one had tested me to my limits, pushing not just my strength, but my will to keep going. There were moments I thought I wouldn't make it, that the fear would paralyze me. But I kept moving. Maybe it was the thought of finally being free from Kofi's bullying, or maybe it was something deeper—something I hadn't understood until now.
I wasn't the same person who had walked into that cave.
I let out a slow breath, a small smile pulling at the corner of my lips. Something had changed inside me. I could feel it. I wasn't the same scared kid who cowered when Kofi and his friends came around. I had faced real monsters. And I had won.
But then, a heavy weight settled in my chest. I thought about that moment in the cave when I was called a "destroyer." The word echoed in my mind, sending a chill down my spine. Was that what I was now? A destroyer? The thought twisted in my gut, making me feel sick. I didn't want to be someone who left only ruin behind.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small seed and twig I'd taken from the cave. They felt warm in my hand, alive somehow. I stared at them for a long time, feeling the weight of their meaning. A seed symbolized life, growth, something new. Maybe I didn't have to be a destroyer after all. Maybe... I could still be something else.
The thought sparked a glimmer of hope. I wasn't sure what I could do with these things, but I knew I had to try. I carefully placed the seed and twig into my bag, my heart pounding a little faster.
Then, an idea hit me, and I sprang to my feet. If I could plant the seed, maybe I could prove I wasn't just a destroyer. Maybe I could fix what I'd done.
I searched the room quickly, eyes darting to the shelves and corners. My heart raced as I moved to the small eating area. After some searching, I found an empty bottle near the sink. I grabbed it, feeling like I was one step closer to redemption.
I left the room, bottle in hand, and headed straight for Adrian and Javone. The camp was quiet, but my mind buzzed with possibilities. If anyone could help, it would be them.
I entered the trail with a renewed sense of determination, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The forest, bathed in early morning light, was peaceful, though the cold air biting at my skin was a stark reminder I'd left my jacket behind in the cave. Up ahead, I spotted Adrian and Javone walking side by side, their figures partially obscured by the thick foliage. I quickened my pace to catch up with them.
"Hey, guys!" I called out, waving as I approached.
They turned toward me, and Adrian greeted me with a smile and a friendly wave. "Jeremiah! We were starting to wonder if you'd show up."
"Yeah," Javone added, his expression concerned. "You sure you're good to be out here again? After everything, it might be a bit too soon."
I let out a small chuckle, attempting to ease their concern. "Come on, who better than me to know where not to step so I don't end up at the bottom of the mountain again?"
Adrian and Javone exchanged looks before laughing softly with me. "Alright, if you say so," Adrian responded, still smiling.
We continued along the trail, the uneven ground crunching beneath our feet, scattered with rocks and patches of plant life. The fresh morning air stung my skin, and I shivered, regretting leaving my jacket behind. There was no going back for it now.
Adrian seemed to notice. He reached into his bag and pulled out a folded blanket. "Here, take this," he offered, handing it over.
Javone raised an eyebrow. "Why do you have a blanket with you?"
Adrian shrugged, clearly unbothered. "For when we take breaks. I'm not about to sit on wet grass or a muddy ground."
Javone chuckled. "Good point."
I accepted the blanket gratefully, wrapping it around my shoulders. "Smart thinking, Thanks."
As we walked, something caught my eye—a patch of rich, dark soil near the edge of the trail. I stopped, knelt down, and scooped a sample into the small bottle I had brought with me. After corking it, I held it up and asked, "Can one of you carry this for me?"
Adrian took the bottle, eyeing it curiously. "What's it for?"
"I'm thinking of trying to grow something," I explained. "I thought this soil might help."
He nodded and placed the bottle carefully into his backpack. We resumed walking, exchanging idle conversation and taking in the peaceful surroundings. The birds chirped above us, their sounds filling the otherwise quiet trail.
Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared a few yards ahead, blocking the path. It was Kofi, standing with a smug expression plastered across his face.
"Took you long enough," Kofi sneered, stepping closer. His voice sounded rough and mean. "We've got unfinished business, Jeremiah."
I froze, my heart thudding in my chest. Adrian and Javone fell silent beside me. I squared my shoulders and met Kofi's gaze. "I have nothing to say to you."
Kofi's grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. He took another step forward, his intentions clear. The air between us grew thick with tension, crackling like static. Whatever was coming next, we were ready to face it.
Kofi stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he demanded, "What did you find when you went looking for the artifact, Jeremiah?"
I clenched my fists, refusing to answer. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. My silence only seemed to anger him more.
My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear anything else. I'd faced down creatures in that cave—monsters that shouldn't even exist—and yet here I was, terrified of Kofi. It didn't make sense, but his rage was real, right in front of me, and I couldn't breathe. My legs felt like jelly, threatening to give out, but I forced myself to stand tall. I couldn't let him see me crumble. Not now. Not ever again.
"I'm talking to you!" Kofi barked, grabbing me by the shoulders and shaking me hard. My head jerked back and forth, and the world spun around me from the force of his grip.
Anger surged through me, and I acted on impulse. My hands flailed, and I pushed at him with all the strength I had. Fueled by frustration, I broke free from his hold, stumbling back. "What is your problem?" I shouted, my voice cracking with the intensity of my emotions. "What did I ever do to you to deserve this?" The words tumbled out of my mouth in a rush, becoming almost unintelligible as the frustration overtook me.
Adrian and Javone stepped forward to help, but before they could get close, Kofi's friends Malik and Derrick moved in. Malik grabbed Adrian by the arm, holding him back, while Derrick restrained Javone, keeping him from interfering.
Something in Kofi snapped. His face twisted with rage as he shoved me backward, slamming me into a tree. The bark scraped painfully against my back, but before I could react, his fists came at me—hard and fast. The first blow landed in my ribs.
The first punch stole the breath from my lungs, and the next ignited every nerve in my body with searing pain. I tried to block the blows, my arms flailing uselessly, but it wasn't enough. Was this how it ended? After facing down magic and monsters, was Kofi really going to be the one to break me? The unfairness of it all burned hot in my chest, but tears of frustration pricked at my eyes, and I hated myself for feeling so helpless.
"I told you to remember your place" he grunted, punch after punch.
The next hit my stomach, doubling me over in pain. He didn't stop. Fist after fist crashed into me—my arms, my face, my chest. I tried to block the blows, but Kofi was relentless.
"Stop it, Kofi!" Adrian shouted, panic clear in his voice. "You're going too far!"
"Yeah, man, stop!" Javone echoed, struggling against Derrick's grip.
But Kofi didn't stop. His fists kept coming, the anger in his eyes blazing as he poured all his hatred into each punch. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground. I could barely move, the pain radiating through my entire body. Every hit felt like fire spreading across my skin. My ribs throbbed with each shallow breath I managed to take. I could taste blood, metallic and bitter in my mouth.
Kofi dropped on top of me, pinning me down with his knees, and continued his assault. His fists were a blur of motion, pounding into my face, my arms, my torso. I felt like I was being torn apart, piece by piece. My body was on fire, my vision blurred, and I could barely register what was happening anymore.
"Please…" I whispered, my voice barely a rasp. "Stop…"
Finally, after what felt like an hour but actually just a few moments, Kofi stopped. I was left crumpled on the ground, my entire body a map of bruises and agony. Every breath hurt, my ribs screaming with each shallow inhale. I felt like I was splintering apart—physically, mentally, everything. What had I done to deserve this? The question pounded in my head, over and over, and no answer made sense. I'd fought so hard in that cave, faced things I couldn't explain, but here I was, reduced to nothing by someone who'd always seen me as weak.
He stood up, breathing heavily, and spat on the ground next to me. Without a word, he turned and walked away. Malik and Derrick released Adrian and Javone, both of them looking as shocked as I felt. They quickly followed Kofi and the others, their expressions a mix of confusion and guilt.
Adrian and Javone rushed over to me as I lay on the ground.
"Jeremiah!" Adrian knelt beside me, his face pale with worry as he tried to help me sit up. "Are you okay? Can you stand?"
Javone hovered nearby, his hands shaking slightly as he reached out to offer support. I winced as I pushed myself to my feet, every inch of my body aching. The world around me felt distant, my head spinning from the pain.
"I'm fine," I muttered, forcing a small, weak chuckle. It hurt to even laugh. "It's just... his punches hurt more than I expected."
Adrian frowned, clearly not buying it. "You don't look fine."
I waved him off, dusting off my clothes, even though the ache in my ribs made it hard to move. "Really, I'm okay. Just... give me a minute to think."
Javone took a step forward, clearly ready to follow me, but Adrian stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. I could feel their eyes on me as I walked away, my footsteps heavy on the uneven ground, each step sending sharp jolts of pain through my body.
I leaned against a tree, every movement a reminder of Kofi's fists. I'd faced monsters and survived. I'd been stronger than I ever thought possible. But now, after this, I didn't know anymore. Was I really any different? Had all that struggle changed anything, or had I just been fooling myself? The doubt twisted my gut, making me feel even smaller.
"I wish I could just disappear," I muttered under my breath, the words slipping out before I even realized I'd said them. The forest around me was still, the only sounds my ragged breathing and the rustle of leaves in the wind.
But then, something changed. The air around me felt like it was being sucked away, leaving a vacuum that made my ears pop painfully. The ring on my finger started to glow and then it flashed and a strange, heavy silence descended, pressing against my skin like an unseen weight. The forest, the trees, everything familiar—dissolved. It was as if reality itself had shattered, replaced in an instant.
I stumbled, almost falling, as my feet landed on cracked, dry earth. The ground beneath me was grainy and shifty, the rich scent of soil replaced by the harsh smell of dry heat and sand. I spun around, panic tightening in my chest as I took in the endless expanse of desert surrounding me. The sky was a dull, suffocating gray, and the horizon stretched out forever, barren and lifeless.
I swallowed hard, my throat already feeling parched in the dry air. What... what just happened? One second, I'd been on the familiar trail, and now, this. A desert, empty and desolate, with no sign of the forest or my friends. My heart pounded, fear seizing me as I realized just how lost I was. How had I ended up here?
"What the hell is going on?" I whispered to myself, panic rising in my chest.