Chapter: 10
Daniel moved through the trees with the grace of a shadow, each leap silent and precise. His sharp eyes swept across the forest floor below, scanning for any signs of movement. The night was alive with the distant echoes of conflict—shouts, blasts, and the occasional thud of bodies hitting the ground. But here, among the dense foliage, it was eerily quiet.
His gaze caught on a lone flag standing upright in a small clearing. It swayed gently in the breeze, untouched and unguarded.
"Well, that's... suspiciously convenient," Daniel muttered, a crooked smirk forming on his lips.
He dropped silently to the ground, landing in a crouch. Rising to his feet, he approached the flag with deliberate caution, his senses on high alert for traps or hidden enemies. His footsteps were light, barely disturbing the forest floor. But as he reached out to grab the flag, nothing happened—no explosions, no sudden attacks.
"Huh," Daniel said, examining the flag as if expecting it to transform into something else. When it didn't, he shrugged. "Guess it's my lucky day."
He leaped back into the canopy, finding a sturdy perch against a thick tree trunk. Nestling the flag securely against his chest, Daniel snapped his fingers with a casual flick of his wrist. The air shimmered faintly, a transparent barrier forming around him and the tree, protecting him from any would-be attackers.
"Might as well let the others tire themselves out," he murmured, leaning back against the tree and closing his eyes.
The forest remained calm for several minutes, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Daniel's breathing slowed, his body relaxing into a state of rest, though his mind remained alert.
That peace, however, was short-lived.
The distant sound of shouting reached his ears, growing louder by the second. Cracking one eye open, Daniel peered down to see a group of about fifteen student hopefuls gathering at the base of his tree. They were arguing amongst themselves, their voices a mix of frustration and determination.
A boy threw a rock at the barrier, watching as it bounced harmlessly to the ground. Another launched a small burst of energy, which fizzled out on impact.
"Really?" Daniel muttered, his voice carrying a faint edge of annoyance. Sitting up slightly, he leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand as he observed their futile attempts.
"Get down here and fight us!" one of the students shouted, glaring up at him.
Daniel yawned dramatically, closing his eyes again. "You've been at this for what, twenty minutes? Why not save yourselves the embarrassment and just give up?"
"We're not leaving without that flag!" a girl snapped, her tone defiant.
Daniel cracked one eye open, his smirk returning. "You're adorable when you're mad," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But there's one of me and fifteen of you. Doesn't that tell you anything?"
The girl's face twisted in anger. "It tells me you're bluffing."
"Bluffing?" Daniel echoed, his tone soft and teasing. "Alright, then. Prove me wrong."
With a shout, five students charged at once. One wielded a fiery blade, another hurled shards of ice, and the others relied on sheer brute force, their abilities flaring to life.
Daniel sighed, raising a hand lazily. "Your funeral."
The air shimmered again, and invisible bursts of force erupted outward, slamming into the charging students. They were flung back like ragdolls, crashing into trees and skidding across the ground. The sharp crack of impact was followed by groans as they lay unconscious.
The remaining students froze, their bravado faltering. Nervous glances passed between them as they hesitated, unsure of their next move.
Daniel leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he peered down at them. His tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to his words. "That was your first and last warning. Don't make me repeat myself."
The clearing fell silent, save for the rustling leaves and the faint groans of the fallen.
Finally, a boy with short blonde hair stepped forward, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "Look," he began, his voice shaking, "we don't want any trouble. We just need a flag to pass the test. You've already got yours. Can't we… negotiate?"
Daniel raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Negotiate?" he repeated, his voice laced with amusement. "Alright, I'll bite. What exactly do you have to offer me?"
The boy hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "Uh… we could owe you a favor? Or maybe—"
Daniel cut him off with a chuckle, shaking his head. "Let me stop you right there. You don't have anything I want." He leaned back against the tree, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. "If you're smart, you'll take your friends and leave while you still can."
The group exchanged uncertain glances, their earlier confidence now completely shattered.
"We should go," someone whispered.
"But the flag—" Another protested
"There are other flags!"
Reluctantly, the remaining students began retreating, their voices fading into the distance.
Daniel exhaled deeply, leaning his head back against the tree trunk. "Finally," he muttered, his voice low and tired.
The forest grew quiet once more, the stars above casting faint patterns of light through the canopy. Daniel closed his eyes, letting the stillness wash over him.
But the peace didn't last. A distant explosion rumbled through the forest, shaking the ground faintly. Daniel's lips twitched into a small smile.
"Sounds like Sarah's having fun," he murmured, standing and adjusting the flag on his shoulder.
Effortlessly, he leaped to another branch, climbing higher for a better vantage point. Settling into a sturdy perch, he snapped his fingers again, recreating his barrier.
"Now," he said softly, closing his eyes once more. "Where was I? Oh, right—sleep."
Hearing another explosion Daniel opened a single eye. "I wonder what the others are doing?" Daniel muttered.
Another explosion echoed in the distance, accompanied by faint, manic laughter. Daniel opened one eye, his expression deadpan.
"Never mind," he sighed, shaking his head.
Chapter 10: End