Into The Forest

The morning sun rose steadily, painting the skies in soft hues of gold and blue as the dojo slowly stirred to life. The crisp air carried a sense of change, though no one quite knew why yet. Mono sat on the porch of the main hall, polishing his sword methodically. The blade gleamed in the morning light, reflecting his focused expression. Raiba wandered over, stretching as he yawned.

"You're up early," Raiba said, plopping down next to Mono.

Mono shrugged. "Something feels different today. I just want to be ready."

Raiba chuckled. "Ready for what? Another day of drills? You know Sensei always keeps us guessing."

Before Mono could respond, the sliding door to Sensei's quarters opened, and the man himself stepped out, his presence commanding but calm. The rest of the disciples began to gather as Sensei motioned for them to come closer. Within moments, Josei, Tokira, and Hito joined them, forming a semi-circle around their teacher.

Sensei scanned their faces, his expression unreadable as always. "Today, we begin a new phase in your training," he said. His voice was steady, carrying an air of authority. "You will go into the forest."

A ripple of surprise passed through the group. They exchanged glances, their curiosity growing.

"The forest?" Josei asked. "What for, Sensei?"

"For your first beast hunt," he replied plainly. "You've trained hard, but training within the safety of the dojo walls can only teach you so much. Now, you must face the real world. The forest is alive with challenges—beasts that will test your skills, your instincts, and your ability to work together."

Raiba's eyes lit up with excitement. "Finally! I've been waiting for something like this."

Tokira frowned slightly. "Is it dangerous?"

"Yes," Sensei said without hesitation. "That's the point. But I wouldn't send you if I didn't think you were ready. Stay vigilant and trust your training."

Mono straightened his posture, his grip tightening on his sword. "What kinds of beasts are we hunting, Sensei?"

"Seed-tier beasts, mostly," Sensei said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "But the forest is unpredictable. There's always the chance of encountering something stronger."

Hito grinned, unable to contain his excitement. "Like a Sprout-tier beast? That would be something!"

Josei shot him a sharp look. "Don't even joke about that, Hito. If we run into a Sprout-tier beast, we're in serious trouble."

"Relax, Josei," Hito said, waving a hand dismissively. "We've got this. Besides, Sensei wouldn't let anything happen to us."

"Confidence is good, Hito," Sensei said, his voice calm but firm. "But overconfidence can be your downfall. Remember that."

Hito's grin faltered, and he nodded. "Yes, Sensei."

"Now," Sensei continued, "you have the morning to prepare. Gather your weapons, supplies, and anything else you think you'll need. Meet me at the gates when you're ready."

The disciples bowed in unison before scattering to their quarters. Mono walked briskly to his room, his mind racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension. This was what they had been training for, yet the unknowns of the forest loomed large in his thoughts.

---

In his room, Mono laid out his gear: his sword, a small knife, a pouch for food, and a water flask. He checked and re-checked everything, making sure it was all in perfect condition. As he fastened his sword to his belt, he heard a knock at the door.

"Mono, you ready?" It was Josei.

"Almost," he replied, opening the door to find her standing there, fully geared up. "What about you?"

"I think so," she said, though her tone betrayed a hint of unease. "What do you think we'll run into out there?"

Mono shrugged. "Sensei said Seed-tier beasts, so probably nothing we can't handle. But still... it's the forest. Anything could happen."

"Exactly," Josei said, folding her arms. "That's what worries me."

Mono gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine. We've trained for this."

She nodded, though the uncertainty didn't leave her eyes. "Let's go find the others."

---

Out in the yard, Raiba and Hito were comparing their weapons, each trying to outdo the other with boasts about their skill.

"My sword's sharper," Raiba declared, holding it up to the light.

"Doesn't matter," Hito shot back. "It's not the sword; it's the person holding it. And I'm the best."

Tokira rolled his eyes as he approached, his expression as stoic as ever. "If you're both done showing off, we should head to the gates. Sensei won't wait forever."

"Yeah, yeah," Raiba said, sheathing his sword. "Let's go."

The group gathered at the gates, where Sensei stood waiting. He carried no weapons, but his presence alone was enough to command respect.

"Good," Sensei said as they approached. "You're all here. Before we begin, remember this: stay together, no matter what. The forest is no place for lone wolves."

They all nodded, and with that, the group set off down the dirt path leading to the forest. The journey was quiet at first, the only sounds being the crunch of their footsteps and the occasional call of a bird overhead. The towering trees of the forest soon came into view, their shadows stretching long across the path.

As they entered the forest, the air grew cooler, and the light dimmed beneath the thick canopy. The disciples walked in a loose formation, their eyes darting to every movement in the underbrush.

"This place feels alive," Mono murmured, gripping his sword hilt tightly.

"It *is* alive," Tokira replied matter-of-factly. "That's why we need to stay alert."

"I can't wait to see what kind of beasts are out here," Hito said, his voice breaking the tension. "I bet I'll take down the first one."

"Or get eaten by it," Josei muttered under her breath, earning a snicker from Raiba.

The group pushed deeper into the forest, their senses heightened with every step. Occasionally, they would hear the rustling of leaves or the distant call of an animal, but nothing came into view. The forest was vast, its thick undergrowth and towering trees creating a maze of shadows and light.