Dahlia begins traveling with the group of competitors, leaving the borders of the Dark Kingdom far behind. The journey takes them into an ancient, sprawling forest—a place where the trees seem to whisper secrets and the air feels heavy with unseen magic.
The competitors walk in clusters, talking, laughing, or strategizing. Everyone seems to have a buddy, someone they trust or can rely on. Everyone, except Dahlia. She lags slightly behind the group, her heart heavy with the whispers and glances directed at her.
"She's the one with light magic, isn't she?"
"Do you think she'll turn on us?"
"She doesn't belong with us."
The gossip stings more than she cares to admit. She pretends not to hear, keeping her head high and her expression neutral, but inside, the weight of her isolation grows heavier with each step.
One of the more arrogant competitors, a sorcerer named Aric, makes a snide remark loud enough for her to hear. "I don't know why they even let her come along. She's more likely to help the Celestial Realm than us." His laughter cuts through the air like a dagger, and a few others join in.
Before Dahlia can respond, another voice interrupts. Kael, the stoic warrior from the Frost Dominion, speaks up. "She hasn't done anything to you. Focus on the mission, not your petty comments." His words are curt, but they silence the group.
Dahlia gives Kael a small nod of acknowledgment, though he doesn't respond. She wonders if his defense was out of principle or genuine concern, but she doesn't dwell on it.
As night falls, the group sets up camp in a clearing. The fire crackles, and the competitors gather in their cliques, sharing food and stories. Dahlia sits alone, her back against a tree, staring at the stars. She can't help but think of Jane and the quiet hill they shared just before she left.
Liora, the cunning sorceress from the Dawn Empire, approaches her, offering a small loaf of bread. "You shouldn't isolate yourself too much. People like Aric are looking for reasons to push you out. Don't give them one."
Dahlia hesitates but accepts the bread. "Thanks. But I'm used to being alone."
"Maybe you shouldn't be," Liora replies with a sly smile before walking back to her group.
Later that night, as everyone sleeps, Dahlia is woken by the sound of footsteps. She spots Aric and a couple of his allies sneaking into the forest. Curious and wary, she follows them, careful to remain hidden. She overhears their hushed conversation about sabotaging the others to reduce competition, and her heart sinks when she realizes she might be one of their targets.
Before she can retreat, a low growl echoes through the forest. A massive, shadowy beast with glowing red eyes emerges from the darkness, drawn to their camp by the noise. Dahlia watches in horror as it lunges at Aric and his group, its claws glinting in the moonlight.
Despite everything, Dahlia can't stand by and do nothing. Summoning her light magic, she steps forward, her hands glowing with radiant energy. She manages to repel the beast long enough for Aric and his allies to escape, though they flee without so much as a thank-you.
As the beast retreats into the shadows, Dahlia collapses to her knees, exhausted. Kael, who had been keeping watch, arrives just in time to see the last flickers of her light magic fade away.
"You saved them," he says, his tone unreadable.
"They didn't deserve to die," Dahlia replies, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael offers her his hand, helping her to her feet. "You're stronger than they think. Don't let them break you."
____________
The first rays of sunlight pierced through the dense trees, casting soft beams of light that dappled the forest floor. Dahlia sat up in the makeshift camp, feeling the weight of the journey ahead pressing on her shoulders. Her eyes wandered to the group of competitors already stirring, packing their things in silence. The air was heavy with anticipation, but Dahlia felt a strange isolation despite being surrounded by others.
As the group began their trek, the forest seemed to stretch on endlessly. The silence between them was thick, each person caught up in their own thoughts. Dahlia's heart raced with uncertainty, wondering what would happen once they reached the Celestial Realm. Would she survive? Would she even be able to complete the mission?
The path wound deeper into the woods, and soon, they encountered a fork in the road. One path led into a shadowed thicket, while the other opened into a sunlit clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood a cart, laden with vibrant fabrics, trinkets, and glass vials of shimmering potions.
An elderly merchant, bent with age and draped in a faded cloak, stood beside his cart. His eyes lit up when he saw them approach. "Good day, travelers! Perhaps you're in need of something to aid you on your journey?"
Dahlia could see the desperation in his eyes. He didn't just want to sell his wares—he needed the business. But as the group drew closer, the atmosphere shifted, and Dahlia could feel the tension building.
Aric, always the first to step forward, sneered at the cart. He picked up a small glowing crystal, his fingers brushing over it with disdain. "This junk? You think we'd waste our time with this?" he scoffed.
Liora followed, grabbing a vial of shimmering liquid. "Do you even know what this is supposed to do?" She held the vial up, her tone mocking. "Trying to scam us, old man?"
The other Dark Wielders gathered around, laughing and taunting the merchant. Dahlia clenched her fists at her sides, anger simmering beneath her skin, but she said nothing. She knew better than to stand up to them—especially when they were so eager to humiliate someone.
"Please," the merchant pleaded, his voice trembling. "I don't want any trouble. I only want to make a living. Please, just take what you need, and leave me in peace."
But Aric wasn't done. He reached out with his hand, and a dark wave of magic crackled in the air. The merchant's eyes widened in fear as the dark energy swirled around Aric's fingers.
"Don't hurt me," the merchant stammered, his voice cracking with terror. "Please, I beg you. I know who you are... You're from the Dark Kingdom. I don't want any trouble."
Dahlia's anger flared as she watched the merchant cower, his face pale with fear. She wanted to say something, to stop this, but the words stuck in her throat. She could only watch as Aric and the others took what they wanted, laughing among themselves as they casually rifled through the merchant's goods.
"Pathetic," Aric muttered, tossing a handful of coins onto the cart before pulling out a few more trinkets. "Take it and get out of our way."
The group walked away, leaving the merchant standing there, still trembling. The dark magic that had surrounded Aric dissipated, but the weight of their actions lingered in the air.
Dahlia stayed back, walking toward the merchant as the others continued down the path. She knelt beside him, offering him a hand to help him gather the scattered items.
The merchant looked at her with wide, fearful eyes. "You… you're not with them?" he asked, voice shaky.
"No," Dahlia replied quietly, shaking her head. "I'm not." She helped him pick up the broken pieces of his cart, her movements gentle.
The merchant's hands trembled as he grabbed his belongings, his eyes darting nervously to the path where the Dark Wielders had disappeared. "I didn't want to anger them. I've heard stories of the Dark Kingdom's power… I didn't know if I'd make it out alive."
Dahlia stood silently for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. She wanted to tell him that she wasn't like them, that she didn't support what they had done, but she knew it wouldn't make a difference. He was scared, and nothing she said would ease that fear.
"Thank you," the merchant whispered, wiping a tear from his cheek. "You've helped me, even though you didn't have to. I can see your heart, child. It's different from theirs."
Dahlia gave him a small, bitter smile. "I don't have a choice," she murmured. "But I'm sorry for what they did."
The merchant nodded, his hands still shaking as he rifled through his cart. "I don't have much left to offer, but... this map," he said, pulling out a worn piece of parchment. "It's not much, but it shows the way to the Celestial Realm. I know you're on a quest, and you'll need it more than I ever will."
Dahlia looked at the map. It was simple, drawn with faded ink, but the markings seemed to indicate key points on the journey—possible safe spots, dangerous territories, and hidden routes. It was exactly the kind of help she needed, and she hesitated for a moment before accepting it.
"Thank you," she said softly, folding the map and tucking it into her pack. "You don't have to do this."
"I insist," the merchant replied, his voice soft but resolute. "Take it as a token of my gratitude. But be careful, child. The path you're on isn't one to take lightly."
"I will," Dahlia promised, though her words felt hollow. She had no choice but to keep moving forward.
The merchant gave her one last grateful smile before turning to his cart. "I should go," he said. "Before they return. Thank you again, and may the stars guide you."
Dahlia nodded, watching him disappear into the trees, his figure vanishing into the mist of the morning. She stood there for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. The journey ahead was going to be long, difficult, and full of choices she might not be ready to make.
As she turned to follow the others, she glanced down at the map in her hand. It felt like a small piece of hope in a world that seemed determined to crush it. The Celestial Realm awaited, and no matter how uncertain or dangerous it might be, Dahlia knew she had no choice but to continue on.
With a final deep breath, she tucked the
map into her pack and moved forward, knowing that each step would bring her closer to an uncertain future.