Into the Forest

Five days had passed since the battle. Five days that felt like an eternity.

The first three were a blur—Avi's body had been trapped in some kind of coma while his mind wandered off to a dream-like training realm. In these dreams, things made sense. A young knight, precise and fluid with his daggers, moved with the ease of someone who had all the time in the world. Avi tried to mimic him, but he mostly fumbled and ended up flat on his face. But patience was key, or so he reminded himself. He spent days in that strange trance, trying to teach his hands to perform what his brain knew was impossible… not yet.

When he finally woke up, his body felt as though it had been hit by a freight train. The first voice he heard was Ken's, cracking a joke about Avi's dramatic recovery. Emily was there too, sitting quietly at his side, looking as though she hadn't slept in days. The meeting with Alex followed soon after, and it became clear they were stepping into something that still eluded their understanding.

Two days later, Avi was back on his feet, worse for wear but mostly healed. Standing under the cold morning light, he gripped Shadowfang in his hands. The daggers felt awkward, like trying to play the piano with oven mitts on. No matter how many times he practiced, they were still foreign to him. He tightened his grip, frustration bubbling up. The knight in his dreams wielded Aura effortlessly. He, on the other hand, could barely hold onto it for more than a few seconds before feeling like he had just run a marathon.

But he wasn't ready to give up. Not yet. He pushed the frustration aside. It wasn't about speed; it was about control. And he was only beginning.

The courtyard buzzed with tension when Alex started briefing them. His voice was steady, calm—like he was the one in charge here. They listened intently as he laid out the situation.

"We don't know what's happened," Alex said, scanning the group. "Whether the school has changed or if we've been transported somewhere else, we're in the dark. The only way to get answers is to find the school's entrance. It's our only landmark. If we find it, we'll understand more about this place—and the forest surrounding it."

The northern forest loomed ahead, shrouded in mist, like it held secrets of its own.

"No one knows what's in there," Alex added, his voice lower. "It could be helpful, or it could be hostile. Either way, we need to proceed with caution. Ken, Emily, Avi—your team is the most well-rounded, so you'll be leading the mission. Stick together, and don't take unnecessary risks."

Ken flashed his usual grin, patting his shield. "Don't worry, Alex. I'll babysit my kids here."

Emily, ever quiet, stared intently at the dark forest as though she could see something they couldn't.

Avi nodded, gripping the daggers tighter. The weight of the task felt heavier than it should have, but he didn't let it show.

The northern forest was far larger than Avi had expected. The trees were towering, their roots twisting like ancient serpents beneath the earth. Moss covered the trunks, glowing faintly in the dim light. It felt as though they had stepped into another world—one that didn't play by the rules they were accustomed to.

Ken led the way, shield firmly strapped to his back. Every few steps, he paused to scan the shadows. "This place is... something else," he muttered under his breath.

"I've never been in a place like this before," Emily whispered, awe in her voice. "It's like walking into a dream."

Avi trailed behind, his eyes darting around. There was something about this place that felt oddly familiar, as though he had seen it before in a different life. Every twist in the path, every rustling leaf tugged at the edge of his memory, but he couldn't quite place it.

Ken turned back, brow furrowed. "Avi, you good? You've been quiet."

"I'm fine," Avi lied, though his head pounded like a drum.

They pushed forward, the forest growing denser. The trees seemed to close in on them, the air thickening, heavy with the scent of damp earth and something else—something... alive. Avi's headache pulsed in rhythm with the forest. He couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't alone.

Suddenly, the silence shattered with a low, deep, and menacing growl. Shadows shifted, and a sleek, wolf-like creature emerged from the trees, its three glowing tails whipping around like angry snakes, its claws gleaming in the muted light.

[lvl 2 Spirit Wolf]

"Positions!" Ken barked, raising his shield.

Before anyone could react, the wolf lunged forward with terrifying speed, its glowing eyes locked onto Emily.

Without hesitation, Emily raised her staff, and a dome of light enveloped her. The wolf's claws scraped against it with a crack, but the shield held firm.

Ken was already charging in, shield raised. "Reinforce!" he shouted, and his shield glowed with a vibrant light. The wolf's claws slammed into it, but Ken stood his ground, sliding back only a few inches.

Avi watched, trying to focus. The wolf's glowing tails lashed through the air and then spun toward him with a deadly growl.

Not today.

Avi gripped the daggers, his body moving on its own. The first tail came at him, but he ducked low, slicing with Shadowfang. The wolf yelped as his blade severed part of its tail. It staggered back, but Avi didn't wait to admire his handiwork.

The wolf wasn't done. Its claws shot toward his side, but just as he prepared to dodge, a shield of light surrounded him. The blow hit with enough force to knock him off balance, but he managed to stay on his feet.

"Thanks," he muttered, chest heaving. He glanced up just in time to see the wolf regrouping, eyes burning with fury.

The energy, Aura—he felt it again. The knight from his dreams wielded it like second nature. He wasn't there yet, but he had to try. He focused, drawing the power into his blades. He felt unmeasurable power surging from his chest, through his arms, and then into the daggers, and then—

Nothing. The energy fizzled out before it could even take form.

The wolf didn't give him a second to process. It saw an opportunity and struck. Its claws raked across his shoulder, tearing through his armor. Pain flared, but he pushed it aside. He couldn't afford to be distracted now. He couldn't rely on Aura—not yet.

"Avi, move!" Ken shouted, smashing his shield into the wolf's side and sending it tumbling away.

Avi staggered back, eyes narrowing. This was his shot. The wolf was focused on Ken, leaving its side exposed.

With a burst of adrenaline, he charged, feet pounding against the earth. He closed the distance in a heartbeat, driving Shadowfang into the wolf's side. It howled, collapsing as its glowing tails flickered and then went still.

The forest fell silent once more.

Ken stood beside him, breathing heavily, but a smile tugged at his lips. Emily was already moving forward, staff glowing faintly as she checked on him.

"You okay?" she asked quietly.

Avi nodded, even though his shoulder still burned. "I'll live."

Emily didn't wait for him to say more. She raised her staff, and he felt the warmth of healing energy wash over him. It wasn't a complete fix, but it dulled the pain and stopped the bleeding. His limbs felt heavy, but at least he could move. He placed the now-dead wolf in his inventory; maybe they could get something from it if they brought it back to the base.

As Emily worked, Avi reflected on what had just happened. He had felt Aura, but he hadn't been able to use it—not yet, not the way he needed to. It was like trying to lift a heavy object before his muscles were strong enough. But he'd get there. He wasn't done yet.

Ken slapped him on the back, grinning. "Good job, Avi."

Avi didn't respond right away. He was still lost in thought, but he appreciated the sentiment. The forest was quiet again, but the air felt tense, as though they were just beginning to uncover what it had in store for them.

They didn't stop to rest. The northern edge of the forest came into view, and a massive stone gate emerged in the distance.

"What... is this?" Emily whispered, taking a cautious step forward.

The gate was unmistakably familiar. Its shape reminded Avi of the entrance to their school, only this one was huge, taller and more imposing. The stone pillars rose high on either side, etched with intricate designs. The runes on the gate pulsed with a faint, steady light, as though alive, resonating with some hidden power.

Avi reached out instinctively, his hand brushing the air in front of it. A smooth, cold barrier stopped him. It hummed with energy, vibrating slightly as though something massive lay just beyond it.

Ken tapped his shield against the barrier, the metallic sound muffled. "Figures. Another barrier," he muttered, frustrated but not surprised.

Avi didn't answer. There was something unsettling about this gate, something that made him feel like they hadn't seen anything yet.

Emily stepped closer, studying the runes. Her brows furrowed as she traced the patterns with her eyes. "This… doesn't feel new. It's like it's been here for ages, buried under time."

As he stood there, staring at the gate, a sudden, sharp pain lanced through his head. It hit like a jolt, forcing him to stumble back. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he was no longer aware of the present surroundings. Images flooded his mind—random flashes of strange portals, shifting runes, and a young knight holding a dagger. The weapon changed, transforming into a bow, then a spear, and finally, a sword. Each shift was rapid, too fast to grasp or make sense of, and the images flickered before him like a disconnected dream. The pain intensified, becoming unbearable.

"Avi!" Emily's voice pierced through the haze, laced with concern.

He grabbed his head, his body swaying. He struggled to stay upright, but the pain was overwhelming. His knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, breathing through clenched teeth.

"I'm fine," he forced out, though the words felt weak. "Just… a headache."

Emily was already beside him, her staff glowing as she began casting a healing spell. She muttered an incantation, and warmth spread over him, but it was futile. The pain didn't subside. The headache only seemed to deepen, gnawing at the edges of his consciousness.

"Damn it," he groaned, frustrated and helpless. Emily's healing magic couldn't reach the source of it.

"We need to go back," he managed to say, his vision dimming. He could barely hold himself up anymore.

Ken looked between Emily and him, his expression hardening with resolve. "We can't afford to risk it. Let's get him out of here."

With their support, he stood, but it was clear he wasn't in any condition to continue. The barrier behind them hummed faintly, like it was alive and watching, as if the gate itself didn't want them to leave. He couldn't help but feel the strange sensation that they had just stepped into something much larger than they could comprehend.

"We'll figure this out later," Ken said, his voice calm but firm.

They turned away from the gate, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. Whatever this place was, they weren't ready for it yet. Not while he was still weak. The headache was a harsh reminder that he wasn't as strong as he thought he was—there were forces at play that he didn't understand, and he couldn't rush into this blindly.

The return journey was uneventful at first. But as they neared the castle, the air grew heavier, an oppressive stillness settling over the forest.

The ground trembled beneath their feet, the subtle vibration quickly growing stronger. The air itself seemed to thicken, pressing against them as if the forest were holding its breath. Leaves rustled, but there was no breeze—just an unsettling silence that stretched on too long. Then, from the trees ahead, it emerged.

A bear. But not like any bear he had ever seen.

[lvl 5 Forest Guardian Bear]

It was enormous—its mass so overwhelming that it seemed to dwarf even Ken. Its fur was a dark, unnatural hue, and jagged, rocky spikes protruded from its back. A fiery core within its chest pulsed with an eerie rhythm, glowing bright as if something ancient and dangerous stirred inside. The moment he laid eyes on it, he could feel his stomach drop.

This wasn't just an animal. It was a force of nature, something older, darker, and much stronger than anything they had faced before.

The bear let out a deafening roar that shook the very ground, and with a ground-shaking charge, it was upon them.

Ken moved without hesitation, stepping forward and raising his shield just in time to take the brunt of the bear's collision. The force of the impact sent Ken skidding back several feet, his boots dragging against the earth as he fought to hold his ground. But the bear wasn't done—it swiped its massive claws at him, forcing him to step back again.

"Emily, behind me!" Ken shouted through gritted teeth, his shield vibrating under the sheer force of the assault.

Emily barely had time to react before the bear slammed into Ken again, her hands trembling as she tried to cast shields to protect him. But the bear's assault was relentless. Each time it struck, the shields shattered, the magical energy dispersing in a dazzling, useless display.

He stood frozen, his body rigid, his head pounding as though it were splitting open. His vision blurred in and out of focus, and every sound seemed muffled, distant. He could barely make out Ken's shouts and Emily's frantic voice, but they felt like they were coming from far away—like he was underwater, unable to reach them.

"Avi! Help!" Ken's voice barely reached him, but the desperation in it cut through the haze of pain in his head. But he couldn't move. Every time he tried to focus, the throbbing pain in his skull intensified, and his limbs refused to cooperate. He could feel the sweat dripping down his face, but he was too numb to do anything about it.

He could only hear faint sounds—Ken's grunts, the bear's roars, the crackling of Emily's failed shields. Everything was muted, as though he were trapped in a fog that refused to lift. He felt like he was standing in the middle of a nightmare, unable to escape, helpless to do anything but watch.

Ken, ever the protector, noticed he was barely standing and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him behind him, keeping him out of harm's way. He shielded him with his own body, taking the full brunt of the bear's attack while trying to keep him safe. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't stop. He just kept pushing forward, never letting go, never leaving him behind.

"Avi, stay behind me!" Ken grunted, practically pulling him along like a ragdoll, keeping him shielded from the bear's vicious strikes.

He wanted to say something, anything to help, but the words wouldn't come. He could barely even think clearly through the storm of pain in his head. His body felt like dead weight in Ken's arms, and he hated it. He hated being this useless.

Emily was doing her best, casting barriers to protect them and heal Ken as best she could, but even her magic was struggling under the bear's overwhelming power. Each barrier she summoned shattered with a loud crack, the force of the bear's blows far too strong for her to handle alone.

"Avi, stay with me!" Ken shouted again, pulling him along, forcing him to move as he continued to take the brunt of the battle.

He could see Ken's shield cracking from the repeated hits, his stance growing more strained with each passing second. The bear was relentless, and they were slowly being worn down.

Then, in a moment of desperation, Emily's voice cut through the noise—tired, but determined.

"Stay back!" she shouted to both of them. "I've got one more shot."

He could barely focus on her, but he saw her raise her staff, sweat streaming down her face as she chanted urgently. Her magic flared, and a massive fireball erupted from her staff, roaring toward the bear. The fire struck it head-on, flames licking at its rocky hide, engulfing the creature in an inferno of fire and heat.

The bear roared in pain, stumbling back as the fire crackled against its skin. For a moment, he thought it might finally go down. But the fire didn't do as much damage as they'd hoped. The bear was tough—its thick, rocky hide absorbed much of the damage, though it was visibly shaken by the attack.

For just a moment, the bear hesitated, giving them the opening they desperately needed.

"Now! Go!" Ken barked, his voice hoarse and strained. "Run!"

With no time to waste, they scrambled to retreat, moving as quickly as they could. The bear didn't pursue them immediately, perhaps confused or injured, but they knew they couldn't let their guard down.

Once they had reached a safe distance, Ken dropped to one knee, gasping for air. His shield was battered, his armor dented and scraped. "What... was that thing?" he asked, his voice ragged.

"Seems like a guardian," he managed to rasp, barely able to speak through the pounding headache. "Meant to keep us in—or keep something out."

Emily sank to the ground, breathing heavily, her staff still clutched tightly in her hand. She looked exhausted—her magic had taken a heavy toll on her, and he could see the strain in her eyes. "We're not ready for this…"

For once, he couldn't argue. He could barely focus enough to form a coherent thought.

Ken let out a tired chuckle. "But what was that, Emily? I've never seen anything like that from the supports."

Emily flushed with embarrassment, avoiding his gaze. "I'm still learning," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I didn't know if it would work. I just... observed the properties of elements and... experimented to see if I could create something like that."

Ken blinked, taking a moment to process her words before giving her an approving nod. "Well, it worked. You saved us."

He couldn't help but chuckle weakly. "That's still better than my ultimate skill—'headache attack.' It just makes me useless and watch from the sidelines."

The tension between them broke, and both Ken and Emily gave it a light laugh, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

But Avi couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. With body felt like lead, and every step was a struggle. As the world swam before his eyes, he slumped against Ken. Without missing a beat, Ken scooped Avi up effortlessly, cradling him against his chest like a kitten. His strong arms held Avi gently but securely, as if he were something precious, and Avi found himself too tired to argue.

Emily gave me a small, teasing smile. "You're really going to let him carry you like that?"

"I think I've earned it."

"Don't get too comfortable, Avi. I'm not your personal taxi."

The three kept moving through the forest, but this time, Avi didn't mind being carried. The battle had drained them all, and he wasn't about to argue when Ken offered to take the load. Sure, he muttered about Avi's weight under his breath, but Avi could tell he wasn't really complaining. They were alive, and that was enough for now.