If I tell you it was weird, you wouldn't believe me but trust me when I say It felt like stepping into cold water when I went through the opening. It's like a sensation I have never felt. In a split second, I went from being in the familiar school grounds to being here. My senses couldn't keep up. It felt like my mind lagged behind my body because everything was so sudden.
The air smelled different—it was sharp and earthy, with a hint of metal that stuck in the back of my throat. The ground under my boots was solid, wet, and lumpy, which was different from the academy's smooth floors. And the light… It didn't make sense. The sun was up high, and its light was just too bright and still, making the scenery look like a dream.
I tried to settle myself by taking a shaky breath. My classmates were already getting used to the trip as it was a normal field trip. Maybe it was. For them? Now I might be paranoid sometimes, but this time my gut is telling me something is off. I feel as if we are being watched by something or someone, because as soon as he came out of the portal, I felt a shiver in the back of my spine.
I get it that everything looked normal, sure. The endless field of grass stretched out before us, dotted with wildflowers moving in the gentle breeze, its beautiful. There were dark, massive trees on both sides of the horizon. They made a clear line between the safety of the open field and the wonder of the forest beyond. But something wasn't right; it was like a painter had made a scene that was too perfect to be true.
"Everything all right, Ethan?" Professor Calloway's voice pulled me from my thoughts. She stood beside me, her green eyes warm and steady, like she could see right through my nerves.
"I just…" I hesitated, looking for the words. "Doesn't something feel strange to you? Like, something isn't right here?"
She smiled, and she placed her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "It's normal to feel that way. This is your first time in a dungeon. But trust me, this is a lower-ranking one. You'll be fine if you stay together."
Now I get that she was trying to comfort me, but that didn't erase the pit in my stomach. But, I nodded; I didn't want to push it any further.
She turned back to the group, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "Listen up, everyone! This is a low-ranking dungeon. This is perfect for beginners, but that doesn't mean you should be careless. Stick together, follow Nolan's lead, and if you need help, I'll be nearby to help."
As always, Nolan stood in the middle and gave her his best, most sure-of-himself nod. His glowing blue eyes with faint lines of golden lightning showed his family history just as much as his stance did. "Got it, Professor. We'll handle this."
Lucas smiled next to him, and his ocean-colored eyes almost seemed to sparkle. "A piece of cake.
"Form up, everyone," Nolan ordered, his voice strong and authoritative with a hint of annoyance. "Ares kids up front with me and Lucas. Athena's strategists, watch our backs. Apollo's healers, stay behind and be ready to support."
We all fell into position, just as we'd been taught during countless drills. I stayed near in the back, flanked by the other healers, keeping an eye on the formation as we moved forward. As we walked toward the field's edge, the grass crunched softly under our boots.
That's when we saw them: small, wiry figures moving between the grass and bushes that were hard to see unless you looked very closely. Goblins. Their green skin had spots that made it look almost like the grass, but their quick moves showed who they were.
The goblins weren't just wandering randomly. They were gathering—roaming in small groups, picking at rocks and flowers. Their sharp eyes were shining for some reason that we don't know.
"Goblins," Nolan muttered, his tone flat. "Easy enough."
"Everyone, hold position," Nolan ordered, raising a hand to stop the group. His piercing gaze scanned the field, calculating. "Stay in formation until I say otherwise."
The goblins didn't seem to notice us yet, but you could feel the tension in the air. The student drew their weapons, and magic began to hum softly in their hands. Every move they made felt planned and careful.
My heart was pounding, the unease from earlier still bothering me. This was just the beginning, yet something about this dungeon doesn't feel like the "easy drill" Professor Calloway had promised.