Chp 16: The Hunt in the Shadows

The forest loomed before the heroes like an endless expanse of dark, twisting trees and tangled undergrowth. Today, they were not in the castle or on the training grounds but deep within the wild, where danger lurked behind every gnarled trunk. Accompanied by Anthar and Lira, the group set out on a monster-hunting expedition, their hearts heavy with duty and adrenaline pumping through their veins.

For over half an hour, the forest was alive with the sounds of clashing steel and ferocious roars. The heroes, armed with real swords that gleamed in the filtered light, fought orcs and goblins that scurried through the underbrush. They clashed with the brutal wolftains—spiked wolves that stalked in packs. Anthar and Lira kept vigilant watch at the periphery, their eyes scanning the dim light for any sign of a rare creature, such as the mystic lion—a legendary beast whose power could rival that of the knights themselves.

As the skirmish wore on, the roar of battle began to fade. The group, battered yet victorious over the lesser foes, started to relax.

"Maybe it's safe now," Amy suggested, wiping blood and sweat from her brow, her voice tentative with relief.

Lira exchanged a meaningful glance with Anthar. "We'll take a short break," she said firmly. "But remain alert—the forest is never truly quiet." With that, Anthar and Lira decided to leave the immediate area, confident that the bulk of the lesser monsters had been driven off.

However, as the others began to relax, Jackson's face contorted with seething anger. Unable to bear the thought that he had failed to make an impact—unable to kill even a goblin with his feeble magic—he stormed away from the group.

"I can't stand this," he muttered fiercely. "I can't even kill a goblin… What use am I?"

Without waiting for any response, Jackson plunged deeper into the forest. His heavy footsteps pounded against the soft earth as he sought to prove himself, even if his comrades had, in spirit, abandoned him.

It wasn't long before the others noticed his absence.

"Jackson?" Grey called out, his voice echoing among the rustling leaves. But no answer came.

A murmur of concern spread among the group. Amy's eyes widened with worry. "He's not here—he must have gone off on his own!"

Tension thickened as they searched for him. Finally, near the base of a steep, moss-covered hill, they discovered him. Jackson lay prone on the ground, his face pale and his eyes wide with terror. Worse, he was near a clearing where an awe-inspiring scene unfolded: a mighty mystic lion, its majestic mane interwoven with an almost supernatural glow, was feasting on the remains of three fallen wolftains.

Frozen in terror, Jackson stared at the creature as it slowly advanced. In a desperate burst, he tried to scramble to his feet, but his legs betrayed him, and he tumbled backward down the slope. His heart pounded in his ears as he clutched at the earth, desperate to escape the beast's predatory gaze.

"Move, Jackson!" Grey shouted urgently from higher up the slope, his voice slicing through the chaos. But the terrified youth remained immobilized, paralyzed by fear and self-doubt.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Grey quickly called out, "Aria, attack with your spirit power—now!"

Aria's eyes flashed with resolve as she summoned the high spirit of fire. With a graceful and determined motion, she raised her hands, and a massive fireball burst forth, hurtling toward the mystic lion. The brilliant orb of flame soared past the beast by mere inches, leaving a trail of incandescent light in its wake. The lion paused, its predatory gaze narrowing as if reassessing this unexpected threat.

Seizing the opportunity, Grey, Anthony, and Amy rushed down the slope to form a protective circle around Jackson.

"Stay back, Jackson!" Anthony barked, pulling the trembling boy into a tight huddle. "We're here. Don't do anything rash!"

Together, they positioned themselves as a shield, their real swords glinting in the low light as they prepared for the creature's next move. The mystic lion's eyes burned with ferocity as it charged toward them, its powerful strides shaking the ground. The heroes launched a coordinated attack—their swords slicing through the air in unison, and spells flaring with raw energy. Yet each blow barely nicked the creature; its hide was as impervious as stone.

Desperation gripped them when the lion let out a deafening roar that sent shockwaves through the clearing, tossing the heroes backward. Grey, blood streaming from a split lip, struggled to regain his footing. "We need to change our approach!" he cried out, his voice laden with urgency.

"Attack with spirit swordsmanship!" Aria insisted, her voice echoing above the chaos. "Combine it with your aura—let's focus all our strength together!"

With renewed determination, Grey, Anthony, and Amy stepped forward as one. They raised their real swords, channeling the power of their spirits and the faint aura within Grey. Their combined assault finally managed to cut shallow wounds into the mystic lion's thick hide. The creature roared in pain, its massive frame trembling, yet it still fought on.

In a flash of savage brutality, it lunged toward Grey. Its claws swept through the air, narrowly missing him but leaving a searing pain along his arm when it grazed his skin.

"Damn it!" Grey cursed under his breath.

Meanwhile, Aria's resolve hardened. "I won't let you harm any of us!" she cried, summoning another surge of fire. A larger, more powerful fireball erupted from her hands, colliding with the mystic lion. The impact was cataclysmic—a burst of light and heat that sent shockwaves across the clearing. The beast staggered, its roars turning to pained whimpers.

As the battle reached a fevered pitch, Anthar descended swiftly from above. With a single, decisive slash of his real sword, he struck at the mystic lion's neck. The blow was catastrophic: the beast's head was severed in a gruesome arc, its dying roar echoing among the trees.

However, the respite was short-lived. Amid the chaos, the heroes realized with a sinking dread that Jackson was nowhere to be seen. Panic gripped their hearts as they searched frantically among the fallen leaves and twisted undergrowth. Finally, at the base of the hill, they found him—kneeling in a darkened clearing, his face ashen, his body trembling with a mixture of fear and despair.

"Jackson!" Grey cried, rushing forward. "Are you hurt?"

Jackson's voice was barely a whisper, choked with sorrow. "Why… why only me? Am I the only one in this world cursed by the gods?"

Amy knelt beside him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Jackson, you are not useless," she said softly. "We all have our struggles. You must believe in yourself. We—everyone—need you."

But Jackson could only stare blankly ahead, his thoughts clouded with despair.

As dawn broke over the castle, the heroes gathered once more in the courtyard. Though weary and scarred, they carried within them the burning determination to forge ahead—to become true protectors of Guardia against the encroaching darkness.