Caelum's group trudged through the wilderness, each step slower than the last. The remnants of their earlier battle clung to them like a shroud, leaving them weary and sore. Branches cracked underfoot as they moved cautiously, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger or, more immediately, food. The fight against the beast earlier had drained them, their energy reserves low, and the hunger gnawing at their stomachs was a constant reminder of their predicament.
As they made their way deeper into the forest, Caelum's sharp gaze caught sight of movement ahead—a flash of tawny brown blending with the undergrowth. He raised a hand, signaling the group to stop, and his companions stilled, following his line of sight. Ahead of them, a wounded deer limped through the trees, its leg marked by a thin trail of blood. The creature was frail, clearly weakened, and unaware of the approaching danger.
Caelum glanced at the two girls in their group. "Stay back," he whispered. "You've already used most of your energy in the last fight. Let us handle this."
One of the girls, a striking beauty named Aria, nodded, a reluctant look on her face. She was lithe yet shapely, with long, flowing hair that cascaded over her shoulders like silk. Her body was a study in contrasts: slender arms and a petite waist balanced by the curves of her full hips and chest. Her emerald-green eyes met Caelum's for a moment, flashing with both exhaustion and gratitude for his caution.
Beside her, the other girl, Celine, gave a small nod, wrapping her arms around herself as she took a step back. Caelum gave a quick nod to the other boy in their group, a tall, broad-shouldered youth named Thorne, who moved into position on the opposite side of the clearing, his expression focused and unyielding. Together, Caelum and Thorne moved stealthily, circling the deer as it remained oblivious to their presence.
Caelum gripped his weapon tightly—a short, polished spear tipped with a serrated, lightning-infused blade. The spear hummed faintly with energy, designed to amplify his elemental magic, channeling his lightning with brutal precision. With a silent signal, he motioned to Thorne, who was now directly across from him, and then leapt forward, his movements swift and fluid.
The deer's head jerked up as Caelum sprang from the shadows, but it was too late. In one quick, decisive strike, he drove the spear through its side, sending a small surge of lightning through the blade to ensure a swift and painless end. The deer collapsed with barely a sound, its body slumping to the ground. It had been almost effortless, as easy as swatting away an insect, yet Caelum felt a pang of remorse at taking the creature's life, even though he knew it was necessary.
Thorne gave him an approving nod as they inspected their prize, and within moments, the group was setting up a makeshift camp nearby. They built a small fire, using the limited wood and dry leaves they could find. Celine and Lina worked on preparing the deer, skinning it with expert hands, their faces focused and serious. They carefully arranged the meat over the fire, the aroma of roasting meat soon filling the air, easing the ache of their hunger and boosting their morale.
As the others watched over the roasting meat, Caelum picked up an empty water bottle and turned to Aria. "We'll go find water," he said, nodding in the direction of a nearby stream they'd passed during their earlier fight with the beast.
Aria smiled, her face softening as she stepped forward to join him. They set off side by side, moving quietly through the forest. Though tired, Caelum maintained his usual alertness, his sharp gaze sweeping their surroundings, assessing every rustle and shadow.
Aria walked close beside him, her figure accentuated by the soft light filtering through the canopy above. She was undeniably beautiful, with a warm, bronze-toned complexion that seemed to glow in the muted forest light. Her thick hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently with each step. Despite her athletic frame, she possessed a softness—curves that contrasted with her otherwise sleek build. Her eyes sparkled with an amused curiosity, a faint smile dancing on her lips as she glanced over at him now and then.
The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the occasional chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. They walked deeper into the trees, retracing their steps to the stream they'd passed earlier. The memory of the beast they had fought earlier flitted through Caelum's mind, and he couldn't help but feel grateful that they only had a simple deer to contend with this time.
As they approached the stream, Aria suddenly broke the silence, her voice soft yet clear. "Caelum… how do you survive in school?" she asked, glancing at him with a curious, almost mischievous look.
He raised an eyebrow, unsure of her meaning. "What do you mean?" he asked, turning his gaze to her as they reached the edge of the water. The stream flowed gently, the clear water reflecting the dappled sunlight that peeked through the branches above.
Aria laughed lightly, the sound filling the stillness around them. "I mean… with a face like that," she said, gesturing vaguely in his direction. "How do you survive all those girls?"
Caelum felt a flush rise to his cheeks, something that rarely happened to him. Her straightforwardness caught him off guard, and he looked away, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I… don't think about it much," he said, his tone calm but with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Aria's eyes sparkled with laughter as she watched him, her head tilting to the side. "I don't believe you," she teased, though her tone was gentle. "With your looks, you must be used to attention by now."
Caelum didn't reply immediately, letting her words linger in the air as he knelt by the stream, filling the bottle with water. His reflection shimmered on the surface, distorted by the gentle ripples, and he saw the slight smirk on his own face. There was a hint of pride in his expression, a rare glimpse of the confidence he usually kept hidden beneath his stoic exterior.
After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice softened by an unusual warmth. "Maybe I am," he admitted, glancing back up at her. "But it's not something I focus on. At the academy, there's always something more important to think about… something to strive for."
Aria's smile softened, and she gave a slight nod, seeming to understand. She looked away, her gaze drifting over the stream, a thoughtful expression settling on her face. "Well, you're lucky," she murmured. "Most of us have to deal with distractions left and right. And then there's you, immune to it all."
Caelum chuckled quietly, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment. "Not immune," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Just… focused."
Caelum knelt by the stream, filling his bottle with water, but just as he capped it, a faint sound reached his ears. It was distant, almost swallowed by the murmur of the forest, but unmistakable—a voice. The words were too jumbled to decipher, but he was certain he caught the word help. He tensed, glancing toward the direction of the sound, his instincts firing as he scanned the area.
He turned to Aria, handing her the filled water bottle. She accepted it with a curious look, sensing the tension in his stance. Before she could ask, Caelum managed a reassuring smile, attempting to deflect her curiosity. "Go ahead and take this back to the others," he said, trying to keep his tone casual. "I just want to wash up a bit. I'll catch up in a few minutes."
Aria studied him, her emerald eyes searching his face for a moment. He could tell she didn't quite believe him, but after a moment, she gave a reluctant nod. "Alright," she said, still watching him. "But don't take too long." With a small smile, she turned and headed back to camp, the water bottle in hand.
Caelum waited until she disappeared from view, keeping his breathing steady. As soon as she was out of sight, he dropped the cloth he'd pretended to be wiping his face with, his calm facade vanishing. Without hesitation, he sprinted silently in the direction of the voice, his movements swift and controlled as he weaved through the trees. He didn't want to involve Aria if this turned out to be a dangerous situation, but he couldn't ignore the plea he'd heard. Whoever was calling for help was in trouble, and he needed to get there quickly.
The sounds grew clearer as he neared the source, voices echoing in the silence of the forest. Then, as he broke through the last stretch of trees, the scene before him came into view. His heart clenched as he took in the sight—a girl lay on the ground, her arms wrapped protectively around herself, while four boys surrounded her in a loose circle. One of them aimed a vicious kick at her ribs, sending her sprawling onto her side as she let out a pained gasp.
"Get up, you worthless bitch," the boy snarled, his voice laced with cruelty. His companions laughed, their eyes alight with mocking enjoyment as they watched the girl's feeble attempts to curl into herself, her breaths shallow and labored.
Without a second thought, Caelum stepped forward, his voice ringing out with a cold intensity. "Hey."
The four boys turned, momentarily startled by his sudden presence. When they saw him, however, they exchanged amused glances, their smirks returning as they sized him up. One of the boys—a tall, wiry figure with a scar tracing down his cheek—spoke first, his voice dripping with arrogance. "She's ours," he sneered, his gaze challenging. "Go away, kid."
Caelum's lips curved into a smile, but it was cold, devoid of any warmth. He had been ready to give them a warning, but his cold smile froze as he heard a weak voice whisper his name.
"Caelum…" the girl murmured, her tone faint, strained with pain. He knew that voice all too well; he heard it everyday. His chest tightened, a chil washing over him as he looked down at the girl lying on the ground.