Ethan froze.
The scent was sharp, almost intoxicating. It wasn't just blood—it was fresh blood. His newfound instincts kicked in, his pupils dilating as his breath came faster.
Lena noticed. "You smell it, don't you?"
He clenched his fists. "Yeah."
Lena's expression turned serious. "Then we need to move. Now."
The Alleyway
They followed the scent through the school's back exit, leading them into a narrow alley behind the gym. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, and as they turned the corner, Ethan's stomach twisted at the sight before them.
A guy from their school—Jason Walker, a junior—was slumped against the brick wall, clutching his arm where a deep, jagged wound bled freely. His face was pale, eyes wide with panic.
But he wasn't alone.
Standing over him was a tall figure in a hooded black jacket, their face hidden in the dim light. And even though Ethan couldn't see their eyes, he felt them staring at him.
Something about them was... wrong.
Jason looked up weakly. "H-Help..."
Ethan's entire body tensed. His half-goblin instincts screamed at him. This wasn't a normal mugging. The hooded figure wasn't just some random attacker.
They were something else.
Something like him.
Lena stepped forward, her voice low. "You should walk away."
The hooded figure tilted their head, as if amused. Then they vanished.
One second they were there—the next, gone.
Ethan barely had time to react before—
WHAM!
A blur of movement—and suddenly the attacker was behind him, moving too fast for a human. A sharp kick sent Ethan stumbling forward.
His body reacted before he could think. He twisted mid-fall, landing on his feet in a low crouch. His golden eyes flashed, his instincts sharpening.
The hooded figure chuckled. "Interesting. You're still new, but you're learning fast."
Lena cursed under her breath. "They're testing you."
Ethan growled, his fingers flexing. "Then let's see how they like failing."
This time, he attacked first.
His body moved on its own, his speed blurring as he lunged at the figure—too fast for even himself to process.
The Flight has begun.....