The forest began to thin as we walked, sunlight cutting through the thick canopy in golden streaks. Each step felt lighter than the last, the air losing some of its oppressive weight. Yet, even as the trees began to give way, Grimwood's presence lingered in the back of my mind. It wasn't a place you simply left—it followed you, a shadow in your thoughts.
Sten led the group, his sharp eyes scanning the ground as he moved with a predator's precision. He barely spoke, relying on subtle gestures to guide us through the dense brush and uneven terrain. It was clear why the others deferred to him out here—he was in his element, reading the forest like a book only he could understand.
Bjorn trailed just behind him, his massive axe resting on his shoulder. Viggo stayed in the center of the formation, his shield raised and ready, while Astrid took the rear, her bow in hand, an arrow nocked and waiting. Ingrid walked near Emery and me, her staff glowing faintly as she moved with a calm confidence that put even me at ease.
It wasn't long before we encountered goblins. The first was alone, skulking near a cluster of trees. Before I could even react, Astrid's arrow found its mark, burying itself between the goblin's yellow eyes. She didn't stop moving, her gaze already scanning for the next target.
A short while later, we came across a group of three goblins scavenging near the trail. Sten was on them in an instant, his twin swords slicing through the air with lethal precision. Bjorn's axe followed, cleaving one in half with a single swing. Viggo finished the last with a powerful thrust of his sword, his shield raised to deflect any counterattack that never came.
The fight was over in moments. The kids moved like a well-oiled machine, each action precise and coordinated. Ingrid didn't lift a finger—she didn't need to. She stood back, calm and composed, her staff more like a symbol than a weapon.
I watched in awe, my own battles replaying in my mind. Compared to them, I felt clumsy, unprepared. These kids weren't just strong—they were efficient, disciplined, lethal. It was humbling and frustrating all at once.
"Did you see that?" Emery whispered beside me.
I nodded. "Yeah. They're… incredible."
---
Bjorn had explained it all the night before, breaking down the puzzle that was Grimwood. The forest wasn't just a random expanse of trees—it was a dead zone, a no-man's-land caught between two worlds.
To the north lay Zhalkaar, the land of the Orcs. Bjorn had spoken of them with barely concealed disdain, calling them cruel and cowardly in equal measure. They ruled over the goblins, sending them into Grimwood as scouts to search for Nords who might be trying to cross into their territory.
The first goblin I'd killed? Bjorn believed it was a messenger, sent ahead to survey the forest. The three I fought after that had been a search party, likely tasked with following up. But their ambush had failed, and there had been a fourth goblin hiding in the shadows. That one had escaped, reporting our location and drawing the larger group down on us.
Bjorn explained it all so casually, but his words carried an undercurrent of frustration. The Orcs and their goblins weren't just an annoyance—they were a constant threat, always probing, always searching.
To the south was Halgard, the Nord land Bjorn and the others called home. It was a land of clans, each ruling its own territory with relative autonomy. The Wolf Clan controlled the lands closest to Grimwood, but they were just one of many clans spread across Halgard.
Bjorn spoke of the Wolf Clan with pride, describing their stronghold, Vargshold, as a bastion of tradition and strength. It was there that Ulvenskola, the academy for warriors and Magi, was located. Bjorn, Viggo, Sten, Astrid, and Ingrid were all students, training to become Guardians—the protectors of their people.
Guardians. It was a word that carried weight when Bjorn said it. It wasn't just a job or a title—it was an identity, a calling. Guardians were chosen by the gods, marked by Qi or Mana, and trained to wield their power for the good of the clan.
The kids I was walking with weren't just students. They were in their final year at the academy, and this mission was their test. Watching them fight, it was clear they had earned their place here.
And me? I was just trying to survive.
---
The trees thinned even more, and I caught my first glimpse of the horizon beyond Grimwood. It was like stepping into a new world—rolling hills stretched out in the distance, the sun casting long shadows across the landscape. The air was cooler, fresher, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.
"We made it," Emery said softly, her voice filled with a mix of relief and disbelief.
Bjorn grinned, planting his axe in the dirt as he turned to face us. "Welcome to the edge of Grimwood," he said, his tone lighter than usual. "You're not out of danger yet, but at least you're not in there anymore."
Astrid snorted. "They wouldn't have made it this far without us."
Viggo gave her a pointed look. "They're still here, aren't they?"
Emery smiled faintly, but her expression was distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. I reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're okay," I said quietly.
"Yeah," she murmured. "For now."
I glanced at the others, their easy confidence a stark contrast to the weight pressing on my chest. I didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was clear: I wasn't going to let my guard down again.