Silva found herself alone, surrounded by towering trees and thick mist, with no sign of Eclipse anywhere.
The haunting silence of the forest was only interrupted by the occasional snap of a branch or rustle of leaves.
She clenched her fists, irritation mixing with a rare flicker of worry as she scanned her surroundings. The Mist Forest, she knew, was unforgiving to those caught off guard.
"Where am I, anyway…" she muttered, exhaling sharply, her usually composed tone wavering. She cursed inwardly.
This trial, the one she'd prepared for so carefully, seemed to have discarded every rule she knew, shattering her hope of doing her job.
The worry caused her to drop her professional demeanor, her voice no longer held the quiet dignity she usually reserved for Eclipse. But in the solitude of the forest, Silva allowed herself this break. "I'll find you, Eclipse," she whispered to herself, touching her weapons.
As she prepared to move forward, a low growl rumbled from behind her, deep and menacing. She froze.
Slowly, she turned her head and caught sight of the creature stalking her—a massive black bear with glowing red eyes, its muscles rippling beneath its coarse fur. \
The beast's eyes were fixated on her, its gaze hungry, sizing her up as it sniffed the air and took a cautious step closer.
Silva's gaze narrowed, her hand drifting to one of the concealed knives strapped to her thigh, her fingers brushing the cold steel.
She took in the details of her attacker with a cool, calculated glance: massive paws with razor-sharp claws, fangs glistening in the shadows. Her resolve hardened, and her posture shifted into a defensive stance.
I just had to throw blades into its eyes, then it'd leave me alone, she thought.
The bear crouched, its muscles tensing as it prepared to pounce, its claws raking against the ground with an audible scrape.
But just as it sprang toward her, a shimmering yellow shield materialized in front of her, intercepting the attack with a burst of light.
The force of the impact pushed the bear backward, leaving it disoriented and wary.
Silva's eyes darted to the source of the shield, and through the dissipating glow, she saw a figure emerge from the mist.
A young woman stood before her, dressed in a light paladin suit that glinted in the soft light filtering through the trees. Her golden hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her bright yellow eyes reflected both strength and gentleness.
She held a slender sword at her side, her stance both ready and serene.
The shield shimmered around her for a moment longer before fading.
The bear, now eyeing the newcomer with a mixture of caution and recognition, snarled but ultimately decided that the confrontation wasn't worth it.
With a low growl, it turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the two women alone.
Silva regained her composure and offered a small bow, her voice returning to its customary calm. "Thank you for your assistance."
The girl, clearly flustered, waved her hands in a panic. "It—it's all right! There's no need to bow! I'm only a commoner."
"So am I," Silva replied smoothly, her expression neutral.
Tessa's eyes widened. "But you're the maid of a Warbringer… Eclipse himself."
"And I think I know you," Silva replied, studying the girl's face carefully.
Tessa, though a commoner by birth, had a certain presence about her, one that hinted at the holy aura surrounding her.
She had been discovered by a wandering priest as a child, chosen for her innate purity and trained to wield holy powers.
Her remarkable performance and unwavering dedication had earned her a place at the Academy, where she was training as a paladin.
Tessa glanced around, her gaze flickering nervously as if expecting more threats. "Is… Eclipse here with you?" she asked hesitantly.
Silva shook her head. "No. We were separated when the trial began."
A look of relief washed over Tessa's face, though she tried to hide it. "I see."
Silva raised an eyebrow, noting the subtle shift in Tessa's expression. "I didn't know you were so close to Eclipse. I thought he… disliked commoners."
Tessa shook her head quickly, her expression earnest. "Eclipse and I… aren't friends," she said, her voice faltering.
Her eyes dropped, and her fingers twisted nervously around the hilt of her sword. "I made a mistake earlier. I just thought… maybe he hasn't forgiven me yet for it."
Silva remained silent, her face a careful mask.
She wasn't here to delve into the personal issues of others, and Eclipse's affairs were not her concern. Still, she could see that Tessa's worry ran deep.
"Oh, I'm sorry for bringing that up," Tessa said, shaking her head as if trying to banish her thoughts.
"That's quite all right," Silva replied, her tone neutral as she scanned their surroundings. "But I must find my master as soon as possible."
Tessa glanced up at the sky, where the sunlight was already dimming, casting long shadows across the forest floor.
"It's almost nightfall," she said, her brow furrowing with concern. "I don't think it's safe for you to go searching on your own."
Silva offered a small, confident smile. "Don't worry. I'm not afraid of monsters."
Both of them knew, however, that the creatures lurking in this forest were no ordinary beasts. Rumors at the Academy had hinted at forces even more sinister lying in wait, hidden in the mist.
Tessa hesitated, a hint of worry in her eyes. "At least let me help you," she offered.
Before Silva could respond, Tessa knelt, placing her sword and belongings carefully on the ground.
She clasped her hands together and bowed her head in prayer, her voice soft and steady as she invoked a blessing.
Silva watched quietly, her gaze shifting to the various items Tessa had set down.
Among them, she noticed three distinct herbs: Bloodfern, Silverroot, and Shadowbloom. These were the very plants they needed to pass the trial.
She found it that fast? Now that's something...
Now, if she was Tessa, she would simply repeat the headmistress's name to trigger her return.
She doesn't even have a reason to help me before, Silva thought.
Tessa finished her prayer and opened her eyes, her gaze steady as she pointed westward.
"I asked for guidance, and my Lord directed me to your master. He's heading south, which is… a little unusual."
Silva frowned. She knew that southward in the Mist Forest wasn't exactly the safest path. The Academy's maps suggested the best locations for finding herbs were in the northern regions, not south.
Silva straightened, offering a small nod. "Thank you. I appreciate this. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you with Eclipse. He may yet forgive you."
Tessa's eyes widened, and she lowered her head in gratitude. "Thank you… truly. You didn't have to do that."
Silva took one last look at Tessa, who was gathering her things, her gaze determined. "Are you heading back to the Academy?"
Tessa shook her head, gripping the hilt of her sword once more. "No. When I prayed to find your master, I was wanted to go north."
Silva's silence and curiosity sparking in her usually guarded eyes.
Tessa met her gaze with quiet resolve. "My Lord said people in the north will need my help."