Five days had passed since the battle. Five days that felt like an eternity.
The first three were a blur—my body stuck in some kind of coma while my mind wandered off to dreamland. And by dreamland, I mean dream training—where things actually made sense. A young knight, precise and smooth with his daggers, moved like he had all the time in the world. I tried to mimic him, but I mostly fumbled and fell flat on my face. But hey, patience is key, right? I spent days in that weird trance, trying to get my hands to do what my brain knew wasn't possible… yet.
When I finally woke up, my body felt like it had been hit by a freight train. The only thing that greeted me was Ken's voice, cracking a joke about how I'd managed the most dramatic recovery known to man. Emily was there too, sitting quietly at my side, looking like she hadn't slept in days. The meeting with Alex came next, and it was clear we were stepping into something we didn't quite understand yet.
Two days later, I was back on my feet, a little worse for wear but mostly healed. Standing under the cold morning light, I gripped Shadowfang in my hands. The daggers felt awkward, like trying to play the piano with oven mitts on. No matter how many times I practiced, they were still foreign to me. I tightened my grip. Frustration bubbled up. The knight in my dreams had wielded Aura with ease. Me? Not so much. I could barely hold onto the energy for more than a few seconds without feeling like I'd just run a marathon.
But I wasn't going to give up. Not yet. I shoved the frustration aside. It wasn't about speed. It was about control. And I was only getting started.
The courtyard was buzzing with tension when Alex started briefing us. His voice was steady, calm—like he was the one in charge here. We were all listening intently as he laid out the situation.
"We don't know what's happened," Alex said, his eyes scanning the group. "Whether the school has changed or if we've been transported somewhere else, we're in the dark. The only way to get answers is to find the school's entrance. It's our only landmark. If we find it, we'll understand more about this place—and the forest surrounding it."
The northern forest loomed ahead, shrouded in mist, looking like it had a few secrets of its own.
"No one knows what's in there," Alex added, his voice lower. "It could be helpful, or it could be hostile. Either way, we need to proceed with caution. Ken, Emily, Avi—your team is the most well-rounded, so you'll be leading the mission. Stick together, and don't take unnecessary risks."
Ken flashed his usual grin, patting his shield. "Don't worry, Alex. I'll babysit my kids here."
Emily, ever quiet, stared intently at the dark forest, as though she could see something we couldn't.
I nodded, gripping the daggers tighter. The weight of the task felt heavier than it should have, but I didn't let it show.
The northern forest was way bigger than I'd expected. The trees were giants, their roots twisting like ancient snakes beneath the earth. Moss covered the trunks, glowing faintly in the dim light. It felt like we had stepped into another world—a place that didn't play by the rules we were used to.
Ken took the lead, his shield firmly strapped to his back. Every few steps, he paused, scanning the shadows. "This place is... something else," he muttered under his breath.
"I've never been in a place like this before," Emily whispered, awe in her voice. "It's like walking into a dream."
I trailed behind, eyes darting around. Something about this place felt oddly familiar, like I had seen it before in a different life. Every twist in the path, every rustling leaf pulled at the edge of my memory, but I couldn't quite place it.
Ken turned back, his brow furrowed. "Avi, you good? You've been quiet."
"I'm fine," I lied, though my head was pounding like a drum.
We pushed forward, the forest growing denser. The trees seemed to close in on us, and the air thickened, heavy with the scent of damp earth and something else—something... alive. My headache pulsed in rhythm with the forest. I couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't alone.
Then, all of a sudden, the silence was shattered by a growl. Low, deep, and menacing. Shadows moved, and a sleek, wolf-like creature emerged from the trees. It had three glowing tails that whipped around like angry snakes, and its claws gleamed in the muted light.
[lvl 2 Spirit Wolf]
"Positions!" Ken barked, raising his shield.
Before anyone could react, the wolf shot forward with terrifying speed. Its glowing eyes locked onto Emily, and it lunged.
Without hesitation, Emily raised her staff, and a dome of light appeared around her. The wolf's claws scraped against it with a crack, but the shield held firm.
Ken was already charging in, shield raised. "Reinforce!" he shouted, and his shield glowed with a vibrant light. The wolf's claws slammed into it, but Ken didn't budge, even if he did slide back a few inches.
I watched, trying to keep my head straight. The wolf's glowing tails lashed through the air, then it spun toward me with a deadly growl.
Not today.
I gripped the daggers, my body moving on its own. The first tail came at me, but I was ready. I ducked low, slicing with Shadowfang. The wolf yelped as my blade severed part of its tail. It staggered back, but I didn't wait around to admire my handiwork.
The wolf wasn't done. Its claws shot toward my side, but just as I prepared to dodge, a shield of light surrounded me. The blow hit with enough force to knock me off balance, but I managed to stay on my feet.
"Thanks," I muttered, my chest heaving. I glanced up just in time to see the wolf regrouping, its eyes burning with fury.
The energy, Aura, I felt it again. The knight from my dreams could wield it like it was second nature. I wasn't there yet, but I had to try. I focused, drawing the power into my blades. I felt unmeasurable power surging from my chest, through my arms and then to my daggers, and then—
Nothing. The energy fizzled out before it could even take form.
The wolf didn't give me a second to process. It saw the opportunity to strike. Its claws raked across my shoulder, tearing through my armor. Pain flared, but I pushed it aside. I couldn't afford to be distracted now. I couldn't rely on Aura—not yet.
"Avi, move!" Ken shouted, his shield smashing into the wolf's side and sending it tumbling away.
I staggered back, eyes narrowing. This was my shot. The wolf was focused on Ken now, leaving its side exposed.
With a burst of adrenaline, I charged, my feet pounding against the earth. I closed the distance in a heartbeat, driving Shadowfang into the wolf's side. It howled, collapsing as its glowing tails flickered and went still.
The forest went silent once more.
Ken stood beside me, breathing heavily, but a smile tugged at his lips. Emily was already moving forward, staff glowing faintly as she checked on me.
"You okay?" she asked quietly.
I nodded, even though my shoulder still burned. "I'll live."
Emily didn't wait for me to say more. She raised her staff, and I felt the warmth of healing energy wash over me. It wasn't a complete fix, but it dulled the pain and stopped the bleeding. My limbs felt heavy, but at least I could move. I placed the now dead wolf inside my inventory, maybe we can get something from it if we bring it back to the base.
As Emily worked, I reflected on what had just happened. I had felt Aura, but I hadn't been able to use it. Not yet, not the way I needed to. It was like trying to pick up a heavy object before your muscles are strong enough. But I'd get there. I wasn't done yet.
Ken slapped me on the back, grinning. "Good job, Avi."
I didn't respond right away. I was still lost in my thoughts, but I appreciated the sentiment. The forest was quiet again, but the air felt tense, like we were just beginning to uncover what it really had in store for us.
We didn't stop to rest. The northern edge of the forest came into view, and a massive stone gate emerged in the distance.
"What... is this?" Emily whispered, taking a cautious step forward.
The gate was unmistakably familiar—its shape reminded me of the entrance to our school, only this one was huge, taller and more imposing. The stone pillars rose high on either side, etched with intricate designs. The runes on the gate pulsed with a faint, steady light, as though alive, resonating with some hidden power.
I reached out instinctively, my hand brushing the air in front of it. A smooth, cold barrier stopped me. It hummed with energy, vibrating slightly as though something massive lay just beyond it.
Ken tapped his shield against the barrier, the metallic sound muffled. "Figures. Another barrier," he muttered, frustrated but not surprised.
I didn't answer. There was something unsettling about this gate. Something that made me think we hadn't seen anything yet.
Emily stepped closer, studying the runes. Her brows furrowed as she traced the patterns with her eyes. "This… doesn't feel new. It's like it's been here for ages, buried under time."
As I stood there, staring at the gate, a sudden, sharp pain lanced through my head. It hit like a jolt, forcing me to stumble back. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I was no longer aware of the present surroundings. Images flooded my mind—random flashes of strange portals, shifting runes, and a young knight holding a dagger. The weapon changed, transforming into a bow, then a spear, and finally, a sword. Each shift was rapid, too fast to grasp or make sense of, and the images flickered before me like a disconnected dream. The pain intensified, becoming unbearable.
"Avi!" Emily's voice pierced through the haze, laced with concern.
I grabbed my head, my body swaying. I struggled to stay upright, but the pain was overwhelming. My knees buckled, and I sank to the ground, breathing through clenched teeth.
"I'm fine," I forced out, though the words felt weak. "Just… a headache."
Emily was already beside me, her staff glowing as she began casting a healing spell. She muttered an incantation, and warmth spread over me, but it was futile. The pain didn't subside. The headache only seemed to deepen, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness.
"Damn it," I groaned, frustrated and helpless. Emily's healing magic couldn't reach the source of it.
"We need to go back," I managed to say, my vision dimming. I could barely hold myself up anymore.
Ken looked between Emily and me, his expression hardening with resolve. "We can't afford to risk it. Let's get him out of here."
With their support, I stood, but it was clear I wasn't in any condition to continue. The barrier behind us hummed faintly, like it was alive and watching, as if the gate itself didn't want us to leave. I couldn't help but feel the strange sensation that we had just stepped into something much larger than we could comprehend.
"We'll figure this out later," Ken said, his voice calm but firm.
We turned away from the gate, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. Whatever this place was, we weren't ready for it yet. Not while I was still weak. The headache was a harsh reminder that I wasn't as strong as I thought I was—there were forces at play that I didn't understand, and I couldn't rush into this blindly.
The return journey was uneventful at first. But as we neared the castle, the air grew heavier, an oppressive stillness settling over the forest.
The ground trembled beneath our feet, the subtle vibration quickly growing stronger. The air itself seemed to thicken, pressing against us as if the forest were holding its breath. Leaves rustled, but there was no breeze—just an unsettling silence that stretched on too long. Then, from the trees ahead, it emerged.
A bear. But not like any bear I'd ever seen.
[lvl 5 Forest Guardian Bear]
It was enormous—its mass so overwhelming that it seemed to dwarf even Ken. Its fur was a dark, unnatural hue, and jagged, rocky spikes protruded from its back. A fiery core within its chest pulsed with an eerie rhythm, glowing bright as if something ancient and dangerous stirred inside. The moment I laid eyes on it, I could feel my stomach drop.
This wasn't just an animal. It was a force of nature, something older, darker, and much stronger than anything we had faced before.
The bear let out a deafening roar that shook the very ground, and with a ground-shaking charge, it was upon us.
Ken moved without hesitation, stepping forward and raising his shield just in time to take the brunt of the bear's collision. The force of the impact sent Ken skidding back several feet, his boots dragging against the earth as he fought to hold his ground. But the bear wasn't done—it swiped its massive claws at him, forcing him to step back again.
"Emily, behind me!" Ken shouted through gritted teeth, his shield vibrating under the sheer force of the assault.
Emily barely had time to react before the bear slammed into Ken again, her hands trembling as she tried to cast shields to protect him. But the bear's assault was relentless. Each time it struck, the shields shattered, the magical energy dispersing in a dazzling, useless display.
I stood frozen, my body rigid, my head pounding as though it were splitting open. My vision blurred in and out of focus, and every sound seemed muffled, distant. I could barely make out Ken's shouts and Emily's frantic voice, but they felt like they were coming from far away—like I was underwater, unable to reach them.
"Avi! Help!" Ken's voice barely reached me, but the desperation in it cut through the haze of pain in my head. But I couldn't move. Every time I tried to focus, the throbbing pain in my skull intensified, and my limbs refused to cooperate. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face, but I was too numb to do anything about it.
I could only hear faint sounds—Ken's grunts, the bear's roars, the crackling of Emily's failed shields. Everything was muted, as though I were trapped in a fog that refused to lift. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a nightmare, unable to escape, helpless to do anything but watch.
Ken, ever the protector, noticed I was barely standing and grabbed me by the arm, dragging me behind him, keeping me out of harm's way. He shielded me with his own body, taking the full brunt of the bear's attack while trying to keep me safe. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't stop. He just kept pushing forward, never letting go, never leaving me behind.
"Avi, stay behind me!" Ken grunted, practically pulling me along like a ragdoll, keeping me shielded from the bear's vicious strikes.
I wanted to say something, anything to help, but the words wouldn't come. I could barely even think clearly through the storm of pain in my head. My body felt like dead weight in Ken's arms, and I hated it. I hated being this useless.
Emily was doing her best, casting barriers to protect us and heal Ken as best she could, but even her magic was struggling under the bear's overwhelming power. Each barrier she summoned shattered with a loud crack, the force of the bear's blows far too strong for her to handle alone.
"Avi, stay with me!" Ken shouted again, pulling me along, forcing me to move as he continued to take the brunt of the battle.
I could see his shield cracking from the repeated hits, his stance growing more strained with each passing second. The bear was relentless, and we were slowly being worn down.
Then, in a moment of desperation, Emily's voice cut through the noise—tired, but determined.
"Stay back!" she shouted to both of us. "I've got one more shot."
I could barely focus on her, but I saw her raise her staff, sweat streaming down her face as she chanted urgently. Her magic flared, and a massive fireball erupted from her staff, roaring toward the bear. The fire struck it head-on, flames licking at its rocky hide, engulfing the creature in an inferno of fire and heat.
The bear roared in pain, stumbling back as the fire crackled against its skin. For a moment, I thought it might finally go down. But the fire didn't do as much damage as we'd hoped. The bear was tough—its thick, rocky hide absorbed much of the damage, though it was visibly shaken by the attack.
For just a moment, the bear hesitated, giving us the opening we desperately needed.
"Now! Go!" Ken barked, his voice hoarse and strained. "Run!"
With no time to waste, we scrambled to retreat, moving as quickly as we could. The bear didn't pursue us immediately, perhaps confused or injured, but we knew we couldn't let our guard down.
Once we had reached a safe distance, Ken dropped to one knee, gasping for air. His shield was battered, his armor dented and scraped. "What... was that thing?" he asked, his voice ragged.
"Seems like a guardian," I managed to rasp, barely able to speak through the pounding headache. "Meant to keep us in—or keep something out."
Emily sank to the ground, breathing heavily, her staff still clutched tightly in her hand. She looked exhausted—her magic had taken a heavy toll on her, and I could see the strain in her eyes. "We're not ready for this…"
For once, I couldn't argue. I could barely focus enough to form a coherent thought.
Ken let out a tired chuckle. "But what was that, Emily? I've never seen anything like that from the supports."
Emily flushed with embarrassment, avoiding his gaze. "I'm still learning," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I didn't know if it would work. I just... observed the properties of elements and... experimented to see if I could create something like that."
Ken blinked, taking a moment to process her words before giving her an approving nod. "Well, it worked. You saved us."
I couldn't help but chuckle weakly. "That's still better than my ultimate skill—'headache attack.' It just makes me useless and watch from the sidelines."
The tension between us broke, and both Ken and Emily gave it a light laugh, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
But I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. My body felt like lead, and every step was a struggle. As the world swam before my eyes, I slumped against Ken. Without missing a beat, he scooped me up effortlessly, cradling me against his chest like a kitten. His strong arms held me gently but securely, as if I were something precious, and I found myself too tired to argue.
Emily gave me a small, teasing smile. "You're really going to let him carry you like that?"
I tried to grin, but it was weak. "I think I've earned it."
Ken just snorted, his tone dry. "Don't get too comfortable, Avi. I'm not your personal taxi."
But the way he held me, so effortlessly and tenderly, told me all I needed to know. I was safe. We were safe, for now.
We kept moving through the forest, but this time, I didn't mind being carried. The battle had drained us both, and I wasn't about to argue when Ken offered to take the load. Sure, he muttered about my weight under his breath, but I could tell he wasn't really complaining. We were alive, and that was enough for now.