The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the village in a warm, serene light as the final rays stretched across the horizon. Lera stood outside the orphanage, her arms folded loosely as she surveyed the children, her expression a mix of pride and apprehension. Beside her, Greaves leaned slightly against the gatepost, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings, while Darnell adjusted the straps of his gear with his usual relaxed confidence.
The kids bustled about excitedly, their voices filling the air as they made last-minute adjustments to their camping packs. Sparks was fussing over the straps of her bag, muttering something about balance, while Alistair helped Cross secure his quiver. Ox was crouched near the edge of the gate, double-checking his gauntlets with an expression of determination, and Zara stood off to the side, murmuring softly to Luna, who was tucked away within the glowing mark on her hand.
"Alright, everyone," Lera called, her voice gentle but firm. The kids immediately quieted, their attention snapping to her. "Before you head out, I want to remind you of a few things."
She stepped closer, crouching slightly so she was eye-level with them. Her gaze softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "Stay close to Darnell, listen to his instructions, and remember—this is an adventure, but it's also a learning experience. Be cautious, but don't be afraid to explore and ask questions."
"We got it, Miss Lera," Ox said, grinning wide. "Stick close, listen, and don't get lost. Easy."
"And no punching anything unless it's absolutely necessary," Sparks added, shooting him a teasing look.
Lera chuckled, ruffling Ox's hair. "Exactly. And remember, no matter what, we're always connected. If you feel unsure or scared, just think of us, alright?"
The children nodded in unison, their faces lighting up with reassurance at her words.
Greaves spoke next, his icy tone softening slightly as he addressed the group. "Keep your wits about you. The forest isn't a playground—it's alive, and it won't always welcome you. Stay sharp."
Darnell clapped his hands together, his grin breaking the serious tone. "And most importantly, don't forget to have fun! It's not every day you get to learn survival skills from the best, after all."
The kids laughed, their spirits lifting even further. "We'll make you proud!" Alistair said, his green eyes gleaming with quiet determination.
Lera stood, her gaze lingering on each of them for a moment longer. "Good. Now, go finish packing your bags and make sure you've got everything you need. No rushing, alright?"
"Yes, Miss Lera!" they chorused before scattering into the orphanage, their excitement palpable.
As the door closed behind them, Lera turned to Greaves and Darnell, her warm demeanor fading into something more guarded. Her gaze sharpened, and she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "Alright, now that they're gone—why do they have real weapons?"
Darnell raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin faltering. "Relax, Lera. The weapons are for practice, mostly. They're sharp enough and sturdy enough to get them familiar with the real thing. Trust me, they'll be fine."
Lera's expression didn't soften. "And earlier today—when I was in the village—I felt something. A tug in my chest, through the link I have with them. I've never felt it before, and it wasn't just worry. It was like they were… hurt. What happened?"
Greaves stiffened slightly, his icy aura flickering for the briefest moment. The temperature around him dipped noticeably before he reined it in, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "There was an… incident. At the blacksmith's."
Lera's expression darkened. "What kind of incident?"
Greaves hesitated, then spoke evenly. "Adventurers. They saw the kids, and they weren't exactly subtle about their… opinions on their existence. Made some harsh comments—enough to rattle them."
Darnell's easygoing demeanor vanished in an instant, his expression hardening. "What kind of comments?" he asked, his voice low.
"The kind that made Sparks and the others pull inward," Greaves said, his voice quieter now. "The kind that reminded them of how the world sees them."
Lera's fists clenched at her sides, and her eyes softened with a motherly ache. "Those children have endured enough. Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"I didn't see the point in worrying you further," Greaves replied. "It's handled. Sam and I made sure they knew they weren't welcome back."
"That's not enough," Lera said, her voice trembling with restrained anger. "Those children need to know they're safe. That no matter what people say, they have us."
"They do know that," Darnell interjected, his tone firm but gentler than before. "And they'll know it even more when they see how strong they're becoming. But we can't shield them forever, Lera."
"I'm not asking to shield them forever," Lera shot back. "I'm asking to give them a chance to grow without being crushed under the weight of someone else's hatred."
Before the argument could escalate, the door creaked open, and Cross stepped outside. His amber eyes were sharp, his movements quiet as he approached them. "Excuse me," he said, his voice calm and measured.
The three adults turned to him, their tension easing slightly at his presence. "What is it, Cross?" Lera asked, her tone softening.
Cross's gaze swept over them, lingering on each one before he spoke. "I heard what happened earlier. What those adventurers said."
Lera opened her mouth to respond, but Cross held up a hand. "It hurt. We're not pretending it didn't. But it doesn't define us."
His voice was steady, filled with a quiet strength that belied his small frame. "For one, we know we're here for something bigger—something they'll never understand. And two…" He hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly with something unspoken. "We're not really five years old. Not entirely, anyway. Our past lives… they're still a part of us. Barely there, but enough to remind us that we've faced worse."
The adults stared at him, stunned into silence by his clarity. Darnell let out a low whistle. "Kid, you're sharper than most adults I know."
Cross shrugged, his expression unreadable. "We'll be fine. Just don't get too worked up on our behalf."
Before anyone could respond, the other kids burst through the door, their camping packs slung over their shoulders and their chosen weapons secured. Sparks was grinning ear to ear, and Ox gave a thumbs-up as he adjusted his gauntlets. Zara's pack sat snugly on her back, and Alistair had his short sword and buckler strapped neatly in place.
Luna emerged from Zara's mark, settling on her shoulder with a soft chirp that caught everyone's attention. She tilted her head, her glowing eyes flicking between the adults and the kids before letting out a series of gentle, melodic noises.
Darnell chuckled, his grin returning. "Looks like Luna's calling the shots. Guess it's time to head out."
The kids gathered near the gate, exchanging quick goodbyes with Lera and Greaves. "We'll be back before you know it," Darnell assured them. "I'll bring them back just as they are—maybe a little smarter."
"You'd better," Lera said, her voice softer now. She crouched down, pulling each child into a quick hug. "Stay safe. And remember, no matter what, you're never alone."
As the group began to move, Sparks suddenly stopped in her tracks, turning to Darnell. "Wait! We should bring our eggs."
Darnell raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "Alright. But if you do, you protect them with your own power. Deal?"
The kids nodded eagerly, and they darted back inside to retrieve their eggs. When they returned, clutching the precious orbs to their chests, Darnell gave an approving nod. "Let's go, then."
With Luna perched on Zara's shoulder, the group set off toward the forest, the last rays of the sun dipping below the horizon.
The air shifted as they stepped beneath the trees, the thick canopy above swallowing the last hints of daylight. Shadows stretched long and deep, blurring the forest floor into patches of indistinct darkness. The group slowed instinctively, the crunch of their boots against the forest trail becoming more cautious, as if even the ground demanded their respect.
Darnell paused, raising his hand. "Alright, kids. Time to light up. Lanterns on." His voice carried low but clear, cutting through the growing quiet.
The children reached for their lanterns, fumbling to activate the light spells engraved on the polished surfaces. Sparks was the first to succeed, her coppery eyes catching the soft golden glow that spilled out into the dark. The others followed quickly, the faint lights bobbing as they hung from belts or packs.
Before Zara could activate hers, Luna stirred in her shoulder. A soft chirping sound emerged, catching everyone's attention. Zara froze, her fingers hovering over the lantern's clasp. "Luna?" she whispered.
The Bonolotl leapt from Zara's shoulder in a blur of pale light, landing first on Alistair's arm. The boy yelped, more surprised than hurt, as Luna bounded across to Ox, her glowing gills casting shimmering lavender light around her. Sparks let out a delighted laugh as Luna jumped to her next target, chirping with increasing excitement as she moved from Cross to Sparks, and then back toward the front of the group.
With a graceful leap, Luna landed on Darnell's broad shoulder, her light intensifying until it cast a soft but steady glow that illuminated their path ahead. She settled there, her small webbed feet gripping his shoulder as if it were a throne, her wide lavender eyes surveying the forest.
"Well," Darnell said with a chuckle, tilting his head slightly to look at Luna. "I suppose that solves our lighting problem."
Ox grinned, his amber eyes gleaming in the faint light. "Looks like she's claiming you, Darnell."
"Better you than me," Sparks added, smirking. "She almost knocked me over."
"Not on purpose," Zara said quickly, hurrying closer to the front to be nearer to where Luna had perched. Her expression was a mix of worry and fascination. "She's just… excited."
"Don't worry," Darnell said, reaching up to give Luna a gentle pat on the head. "No need for the lanterns for now. This little lady's more than enough light."
Alistar, walking behind the group, gave a quiet laugh. "I'd say she's outshining all of us."
Darnell motioned for the group to fall in line. "Alright, listen up. We're still on the outskirts of the forest, so there's no real danger here. But I want everyone on standby. That means no distractions, no wandering off, and no unnecessary noise."
He gestured to Ox and Alistair. "You two take the rear. Ox, keep your eyes open. Alistair, you're the extra set of ears back there. Anything feels off, you let me know."
Both boys nodded, Alistair gripping the hilt of his short sword with quiet determination while Ox adjusted his gauntlets, flexing his fingers.
"Zara, Sparks, Cross—you're in the middle. Stay close and keep pace. Cross, I want your eyes scanning the trees. Sparks, if anything weird happens, let me know right away."
"What about me?" Zara asked, her gaze flicking to Luna, who chirped softly on Darnell's shoulder.
Darnell gave her an encouraging nod. "Stay alert, and keep an eye on your little friend there. She's doing half the work already."
With that, Darnell took the lead, his confident strides guiding them deeper into the forest. The children moved into formation, their steps quiet and measured. The light from Luna's glow shifted with the sway of Darnell's movements, casting faint patterns on the bark of the trees and the soft moss that covered the ground.
The forest seemed to hold its breath as they walked. The faint rustle of leaves overhead and the occasional chirp of nocturnal insects were the only sounds, creating an almost eerie calm. The shadows stretched long and deep, their edges softened by Luna's glow.
They walked for nearly two hours, the rhythmic crunch of boots on the dirt trail becoming a comforting cadence. Despite the stillness, the children stayed alert, their eyes darting to every flicker of movement in the underbrush. Alistair glanced over his shoulder frequently, his grip on his buckler tightening at every snap of a twig.
Darnell finally raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. "Alright, everyone. This is the boundary."
The children gathered around him, their breaths visible in the cool night air. Darnell gestured to the trees ahead, their trunks growing closer together and their shadows darker. "Beyond this point, we enter the inner forest. That means the chances of running into something unfriendly go up. So, we camp here for the night."
He knelt down, clearing a small patch of ground with practiced efficiency. From his storage ring, he pulled out a stack of wood, a flint, and a few skewers of raw meat, their juices glistening in the faint light. The kids stared in awe, their eyes wide as they watched the items materialize.
"You've got a storage ring?" Sparks asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and envy. "How come you didn't tell us?"
Darnell smirked as he set up the campfire. "Didn't think it was important until now. Figured you'd rather see it in action."
Ox's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so cool! Can anyone get one of those?"
"Not anyone," Sparks interjected, her tone light. "You'd have to save for years to afford one. They're not exactly cheap."
"Or," Darnell added with a wink, "you can earn one. Maybe someday, when you're out there making a name for yourselves."
The kids settled around the fire as Darnell lit the kindling, the flames crackling to life and casting warm light over the clearing. The skewers of meat sizzled as he placed them over the fire, their savory aroma wafting through the air.
As they ate, their earlier nerves began to fade, replaced by quiet chatter and laughter. Sparks recounted her favorite part of the day in exaggerated detail, making Ox and Cross groan in mock frustration. Alistair listened quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips, while Zara watched Luna, who had curled up at her side, her glow soft and steady.
When the meal was finished, Darnell leaned back against a tree, his arms crossed. "Alright, time for some shut-eye. I'll take the first watch."
Cross raised his hand, drawing Darnell's attention. "Can I join you?" he asked, his voice steady. "I want to learn how to keep watch properly."
Darnell studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright, kid. But don't expect me to go easy on you. Keeping watch means staying sharp. No nodding off, no distractions."
Cross nodded, his amber eyes gleaming with determination. "I won't."
The others rolled out their bedrolls, the flickering firelight casting shadows across their faces as they settled in for the night. Zara was the last to lie down, her hand resting on Luna's smooth back as the Bonolotl curled up beside her.
As the children drifted off to sleep, the clearing grew quiet once more, the sounds of the forest taking over. Darnell and Cross sat near the edge of the camp, their eyes scanning the darkness.
"You're a quiet one, aren't you?" Darnell said, his tone light.
Cross shrugged. "Just paying attention."
Darnell chuckled. "Good. That's the first rule of keeping watch—always pay attention. You never know what's out there."
The two fell into a comfortable silence, the fire crackling softly behind them. The night stretched on, the forest alive with faint whispers of wind and distant calls of nocturnal creatures.