He sees Lila.
She's surrounded by shadowy tendrils of magic that swirl like smoke, their movements erratic and dangerous.
In her hand, she clutches the anchor—a staff carved with intricate runes that pulse with silver and black light.
Around her, the wolves that she has made them behave like zombies move in unison, their glowing, empty eyes fixed on her.
They're digging trenches into the earth, carving strange symbols into the dirt as if preparing for a ritual.
The anchor's light pulses in sync with their movements, its power spreading like a web across the ground.
Ace's breath hitches as he takes in the scene.
The energy radiating from the staff looks overwhelming, like a dark storm brewing just beneath the surface.
Lila's expression is unreadable, but her aura is suffocating—an impenetrable wall of malice and purpose.
He pushes deeper into the vision, trying to gather more details. The wolves are marking the perimeter of the clearing with clawed precision, and Lila's magic surges with every new symbol etched into the earth.
Ace gasps suddenly his body jerking forward. The blue flames dissipate instantly, and he collapses, panting.
Kieran rushes to his side, catching him before he hits the floor. "Ace! Talk to me!"
Jun kneels beside them, his voice tight with concern. "What just happened? How are you feeling? You okay?"
Ace's breathing steadies, and he looks up at them, his eyes shadowed but resolute. "It's Lila. She has the anchor—it's a staff covered in runes. She's using it to… control the wolves. I saw them digging something… marking the ground. She must be preparing for something big."
"What did you say it looks like? Covered in runes?" Kieran asks .
"Yes"
"I saw that witch that your powers killed with something like that, Lila must have taken it after the witch died." Kieran adds pacing around. "Where is she?"
Ace's voice trembles but remains firm. "She's in a clearing, surrounded by black trees. The wolves… they're with her. All of them."
Jun's face pales. "You're saying she's gathering the wolves? For what?"
"I don't know," Ace admits. "But it's bad."
Kieran stands, his expression darkening. "Then we don't have much time. Whatever she's planning, we need to stop it before it's too late."
Jun nods reluctantly.
Ace pushes himself up, his legs shaky but his resolve unbroken. "Then let's get ready. We have to stop her—and destroy that anchor before it's too late."
Kieran's jaw tightens as he nods. "We'll need to move carefully. If her magic is anything like what you described, we can't afford to rush in blindly."
Jun straightens, his brow furrowed in thought. "We need to figure out what those symbols are doing. If they're fueling her power or protecting the anchor, we'll have to disrupt them first."
Ace rubs his temple, his breathing steadying as the vision begins to fade from his mind. "The symbols—they're forming a pattern, like a web around the clearing. They're not just random markings. It's like they're channeling energy into the anchor."
"Then they're key," Kieran says, his tone sharp and decisive. "Jun, you'll focus on breaking the pattern. Ace and I will handle the anchor."
"I don't think Jun should come , it's dangerous and you don..." Ace starts but Jun cuts him.
"I don't what? Have powers?! I can find my own way! Just focus." Jun says firmly.
"But..."
"There's no buts , Ace. You are not going anywhere without me! Period!" Jun yells.
Ace doesn't say anything more.
"So , I kind of read somewhere too," Jun says, his voice edged with concern. "What if the symbols are booby-trapped? If you disturb them, they might trigger something worse."
"That's a risk we'll have to take," Kieran replies. "If we leave them intact, we won't stand a chance against her magic."
Ace shifts uncomfortably, the memory of the anchor's overwhelming energy flashing in his mind. "It's not just the symbols. The anchor… it feels alive, like it's feeding off the wolves and the forest. Destroying it won't be easy."
Kieran's eyes soften as he looks at Ace. "I won't let anything happen to you. We'll do this together."
Jun exhales slowly, nodding in reluctant agreement. "Alright. I'll handle the symbols, but I'll need time. If anything goes wrong, you need to get out of there."
"We'll be fine," Kieran assures him. "Stick to the plan, and we'll all make it out in one piece."
Ace's fingers tighten around the edge of the table as determination replaces the lingering fear in his chest. "We're not letting her win. Not this time."
-
They move quickly, gathering supplies and weapons for the fight ahead.
Jun sketches out a rough map of the clearing based on Ace's vision, marking potential points of interest.
The tension in the room is palpable, but no one falters.
Kieran looks at both Ace and Jun . "This is it. Are you ready?"
They both nod, Ace's voice steady despite the knot of nerves in his stomach. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Jun adjusts the straps of his pack and glances between them. "Let's move. The longer we wait, the stronger she seems to get."
Without another word, they set out, the weight of their mission heavy but unyielding in their hearts.