Night of beginnings 2

Chapter 30

The air had grown colder as the night deepened, the crescent moon now a sharp, pale sliver in the sky. Its light barely penetrated the thick canopy of trees, leaving the clearing bathed in shadows. Luna stood motionless for a moment, her practice sword still gripped in her hand, her chest rising and falling with the rhythm of her breath. The echo of Kaelith's words—"We won't just be fighting for ourselves"—still lingered in her mind, making the night feel heavier than it should have.

Around her, the others were beginning to wind down. Eris had thrown her sword over her shoulder and was already stretching, unbothered by the bruises she had accumulated during their mock fight. Asuna, leaning against a tree with a smirk still tugging at the corner of her lips, was eyeing Eris warily. She clearly wasn't the type to be impressed by her partner's boisterous nature.

Luna turned her gaze to Kaelith, who was silently watching them, her sharp blue eyes calculating. She had always carried herself with an air of calm authority, the kind of quiet strength that made you wonder what thoughts were always running through her mind.

"Good match," Kaelith said, her voice soft but commanding. "But don't get too comfortable. There's always more to learn."

Luna nodded, lowering her sword. She had known Kaelith wasn't the type to let anything slide. "We'll keep training. Every day."

"There's no choice," Asuna added, rolling her neck as if to shake off the tension. "The world isn't going to wait for us to catch up."

The words felt prophetic, almost as if Asuna already knew the kind of trials they would face. Luna didn't know if she should be reassured by her confidence or unsettled by it. After all, they had no idea what was coming, only that it was inevitable.

"Let's get some rest," Kaelith said, adjusting her stance as if ready to move. "We'll need our wits about us tomorrow. The trials won't be kind."

Luna was about to agree when the sharp cry of an owl echoed through the trees, cutting through the soft murmur of the night. Something shifted in the air, a subtle change that only those who had spent enough time in nature could sense. Luna instinctively tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword, her eyes scanning the darkened woods for any signs of movement.

Eris, who had been laughing moments ago, went still, her posture shifting to something more alert. Asuna's violet eyes flicked toward the woods, her expression hardening as she stood up straighter, preparing herself for whatever was coming.

Kaelith's gaze was already fixed on the tree line. Her staff was in hand now, its polished surface glinting faintly in the dim light.

"Get ready," Kaelith said softly, her voice cutting through the rising tension. "We aren't alone."

Luna's heart skipped a beat. She had known something was wrong. There had been a heaviness in the air, something oppressive, waiting to make its move.

A rustle broke the stillness, and then another. The sounds came from all around them, surrounding the clearing. Luna's grip tightened on her sword, her senses heightened as she reached for the power within herself, ready to react.

The first figure appeared in the moonlight, its shape obscured by shadows but its movements too deliberate to be anything other than intentional. Another followed, and then another—three in total, moving with stealth and purpose.

"Stay sharp," Kaelith warned, taking a step forward, her staff poised in a defensive stance. "They're closing in."

Luna's mind raced. Were these enemies? Or something worse?

Eris cracked her knuckles, her grin returning as she eyed the newcomers. "I've been dying for a real fight."

But Kaelith's expression remained unchanged. She had seen enough battles to know that not every confrontation was worth rushing into.

The first figure stepped forward, revealing a tall, hooded figure cloaked in dark fabric. The face was obscured, but the aura they emanated was unmistakable. Dangerous. Calculating.

"You're in the wrong place," the hooded figure said, their voice smooth, almost melodic, yet with an edge that sent a shiver down Luna's spine.

Kaelith's stance remained firm. "This is our territory. Leave."

The figure let out a soft laugh, and the sound made the hairs on the back of Luna's neck stand on end. "Is it? You've been here for too long. The world has changed, girl. And you're too late."

As the figure spoke, Luna felt something stir in the air. An energy—raw and dark—was beginning to coalesce around them, like a storm building on the horizon. The wind picked up, making the trees sway, and the shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally.

Luna's eyes darted to Kaelith, who gave her a single, sharp nod. Get ready.

Without warning, the hooded figure lunged forward, moving with unnatural speed. Luna's instincts kicked in, and she swung her sword to intercept the attack, but the figure vanished in a blur of motion, reappearing behind her in an instant.

She spun, barely catching the edge of the figure's blade with her own sword, the clash ringing out through the clearing. The force of the blow sent a jolt of shock through her arms, and she gritted her teeth, trying to steady herself.

Asuna was already in motion, her silver hair a blur as she moved toward the second figure, her speed almost equal to Eris'. The two exchanged swift, fluid strikes, the metallic sound of their weapons clashing filling the air.

But the figures weren't just skilled—they were coordinated. It became quickly apparent that these weren't ordinary assailants; they were a unit, trained to fight together. Luna could see it in the way they moved, in the calculated patterns of their attacks. This wasn't a random skirmish—it was a carefully orchestrated strike.

Kaelith raised her staff, chanting softly under her breath, and the ground beneath their feet began to vibrate. The earth rippled like water, and the air grew thick with the power she was channeling. A barrier of energy formed around the group, protecting them from the encroaching threat.

"You think your tricks will save you?" the hooded figure sneered, stepping back. "You are too small for the storm that's coming."

"We'll see about that," Kaelith replied, her voice unwavering.

The wind howled louder, and the shadows pressed closer, thickening around them like a suffocating fog. The battle had begun, and they were already caught in its grip. Luna's grip tightened on her sword once more, the adrenaline surging through her veins.

Tonight wasn't the beginning of something small—it was the beginning of something far greater, something that would change them all.

But no matter how dark the night seemed, they would face it together.

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