"The wild doesn't care about strength—it tests your will to endure."
The next morning, Evanna stood in the castle's entrance hall, blindfolded and clutching Glow in her arms.
"This feels unnecessary," she grumbled, her voice echoing in the vast space.
Kael's voice, smooth and laced with amusement, came from somewhere behind her. "You'll thank me later."
"For what? Getting rid of me?"
He chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "You'll see soon enough. Trust me."
Evanna huffed. "Trust isn't exactly your strong suit."
There was no reply, just the sound of boots on stone as Kael walked toward her. She felt his presence close by, the air around her shifting slightly.
"Remember, Evanna," Kael said softly, his voice now closer. "This is not a punishment. It's a test. I need to know what you're truly capable of."
"And if I fail?" she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
Kael's pause was brief but telling. "Don't."
The journey was long and silent, the blindfold only adding to Evanna's unease. She stumbled several times, her hand brushing against Kael's arm for balance. He steadied her each time but said nothing.
Eventually, the sounds around her changed. The echo of the castle faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirp of birds. The air grew fresher, tinged with the earthy scent of moss and wood.
Finally, Kael stopped. "We're here."
Evanna felt the blindfold loosen, and as it fell away, her breath caught.
They stood in the middle of an abandoned village. Broken huts and overgrown paths spoke of a time long past. Vines twisted around crumbling walls, and the small forest beyond the village pulsed with life, both beautiful and menacing.
"What is this place?" she asked, turning to face him.
Kael's golden eyes gleamed in the sunlight. "Your task is simple. Survive here for three days."
"Three days?" she repeated, her voice rising. "Alone?"
He smirked. "Not entirely alone. You have Glow."
Glow barked softly, wagging his tail.
"Gee, thanks," Evanna muttered. "Do I get anything else? Food? Water? A weapon, maybe?"
Kael gestured toward a satchel he had placed on the ground. "There's a knife and a waterskin. The rest is up to you."
Evanna crossed her arms. "You're serious."
"Completely." He stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "This is more than a test of survival, Evanna. It's about control. You have a gift, but it's raw and untamed. If you're going to face what lies ahead, you need to learn how to harness it."
She wanted to argue but bit her tongue. There was no point. Kael had already made up his mind.
"Fine," she said, snatching the satchel. "But if I die out here, I'm haunting you."
Kael's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Noted."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving her standing in the ruins of the village.
The first few hours passed in tense silence. Evanna explored the area cautiously, Glow trotting at her side. The village, though abandoned, felt anything but empty.
She found a cluster of fruit-bearing trees near the forest's edge and picked enough to last a day or two. Glow sniffed the fruit before nudging one toward her, as if giving his approval.
"Thanks, expert forager," she said, rolling her eyes.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, the forest came alive with sounds—branches snapping, leaves rustling, distant growls. Evanna's grip tightened on the knife Kael had given her.
Glow suddenly stopped, his fur bristling as a low growl escaped him.
"What is it?" she whispered, scanning the shadows.
A pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the underbrush. Slowly, a beast emerged—a massive cat-like creature with sleek black fur and elongated fangs.
Evanna's heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay still. "Easy," she murmured, her voice calm and steady.
The beast stalked closer, its movements slow and deliberate. Glow barked, but Evanna placed a hand on his back, quieting him.
She crouched slightly, meeting the creature's gaze. "I'm not here to hurt you," she said softly.
The beast paused, its ears twitching. For a moment, it seemed to hesitate, its head tilting as though trying to understand her.
Taking a risk, Evanna slowly extended her hand, palm up. The beast sniffed the air, its glowing eyes narrowing.
"See?" she whispered. "I'm not a threat."
To her astonishment, the creature let out a low huff and stepped back, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as it had appeared.
Evanna let out a shaky breath, her knees threatening to give out. "Well, that was fun," she muttered, glancing down at Glow.
The fox-beast wagged his tail, clearly unfazed.
"Of course, you're fine," she said, shaking her head.
As night fell, Evanna set up a small makeshift camp near one of the sturdier huts. She didn't dare light a fire, afraid it might attract unwanted attention.
While searching for more fruit earlier, she had stumbled upon a small rabbit caught in a snare. The poor thing had been trembling, its fur matted and dirty.
She had freed it without hesitation, cradling it gently in her hands.
"You're lucky," she had said, stroking its soft ears. "I guess I'll call you… Hopper."
Now, Hopper sat in her lap, nibbling on a piece of fruit as Glow curled up beside them.
"Well," Evanna said, glancing up at the star-filled sky. "One day down, two to go."
As she closed her eyes, the distant growl of a beast echoed through the forest, louder and closer than before. Evanna's grip on her knife tightened as she whispered to herself, "Stay calm. Just stay calm."