The early morning air was crisp and cool as Aren stood in the central field with his teammates. Around them, other students gathered in clusters, whispering and exchanging wary glances. The announcement of the second trial had been sudden, giving them barely a night to rest. Aren's muscles still ached from the forest challenge, and he knew his friends were feeling the same.
Lyra was the first to break the silence. "They're keeping something from us. You can see it on the instructors' faces—they look tense."
Dorian nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Whatever it is, I'm ready. Let's get this over with."
Aren glanced around, noticing that not all the teams from the forest challenge had returned. The absence of some students weighed heavily on him, but he didn't dare voice his concern. He knew everyone was thinking the same thing—those who hadn't returned had either failed the trial or encountered something far worse.
The judge approached, his stern face reflecting none of the unease that the students felt. His wind hound padded silently beside him, its pale eyes fixed on the gathering. He raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent.
"Students, the second trial will take place in the deeper part of the forest," the judge announced, his voice unwavering. "Your task is to locate and secure three marked locations. Each point has been set with a challenge to test your teamwork and combat abilities. Completing all three objectives will guarantee your passage to the next phase."
Liora crossed her arms, murmuring under her breath. "They're sending us back in… after what happened?"
The judge continued. "However, be warned—the forest has become increasingly hostile. You will not only face corrupted beasts but also remnants of ancient guardians. These entities are stronger than ordinary beasts and will attack any intruders."
Aric frowned. "Ancient guardians? They're admitting it now?"
Aren exchanged a quick look with Lyra. Guardians—like the beast they had encountered near the ruins. The academy knew more than they were letting on.
"The trial will last two days," the judge added. "You must return before nightfall on the second day. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Pairings will be announced shortly."
Murmurs of discontent rippled through the students. Pairings again? After the unpredictability of the first trial, many were reluctant to join forces with unfamiliar faces.
Dorian muttered, "I don't care who we're with as long as they can hold their own."
Lyra remained silent, her eyes fixed on the judge. Aren could tell she was already calculating the risks, analyzing possible pairings. He admired her calm, analytical approach—it was a contrast to his own unease.
The judge gestured to an instructor holding a list. "Pairings are as follows: Team Valen with Team Rin."
Aren's heart sank. Kael Rin—the boy they had found unconscious after the forest trial. Dorian groaned, clearly not thrilled by the news.
"What are the odds?" Aric muttered, forcing a grin. "Guess we're stuck with the snake."
As the crowd dispersed, Kael approached with his Shadow Serpent coiled around his arm. His face was pale but composed, the remnants of his ordeal still visible in the faint bruises under his eyes.
"Valen," he greeted coolly, eyes flickering over Aren's group.
Aren nodded. "Rin. Are you okay after the forest challenge?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "I'll manage. I won't hold you back. Just don't slow me down either."
Dorian scoffed. "Confident as always. Hope your snake can actually fight this time."
The Shadow Serpent hissed, and Kael gave Dorian a sharp look. "You'll see soon enough."
Lyra cut in before tensions could escalate. "We're wasting time. Let's plan. If we're paired, we need to coordinate."
Kael seemed to appreciate her practicality and nodded. "The deeper forest is filled with caves and ravines. I've scouted the maps—they're less about open combat and more about navigating tight spaces. My Serpent can scout ahead, sense movement underground."
Liora added, "My Ice Wolf can mark paths and freeze narrow entrances if needed. It'll give us a chance to control the terrain."
Dorian huffed. "And I'll smash anything that gets too close. Simple enough."
Aric gave a thumbs-up. "Fire and ice together—nothing will stand a chance."
Aren stayed quiet, mulling over their plan. His thoughts kept returning to the guardians. If the academy had known about the ancient beasts all along, why hadn't they warned them during the first trial? What was the real purpose of sending students into danger?
Kael glanced at Aren, his expression unreadable. "Your beast—Sharu. It's… different."
Aren tensed, but Kael continued. "I saw it during the forest trial. That power—it wasn't just speed or strength. It felt… ancient."
Aren looked down at Sharu, who was watching Kael warily. "He's strong. That's all that matters."
Kael didn't press further, but Aren could see the curiosity burning in his eyes. Lyra motioned for them to move. "Save it for the trial. Let's focus on getting ready."
As they gathered their supplies and prepared to head out, Aren couldn't help but feel the weight of what was coming. The second trial wasn't just about survival—it was about unraveling the truth behind the forest's corruption. And this time, they wouldn't just be fighting beasts—they'd be confronting the shadows of the past.
The sun barely broke through the thick canopy as they entered the forest, the atmosphere colder than usual. Sharu stayed close to Aren, his ears twitching at every sound. Kael's serpent slithered ahead, blending into the shadows.
Lyra's Shadow Falcon took to the sky, circling above to scout for any threats. Liora whispered to her Ice Wolf, which began marking the ground with frost, creating a subtle path for them to follow.
Dorian cracked his knuckles, smirking. "Let's hope these guardians are as tough as they say. I could use a real fight."
Aren shared a glance with Lyra. He wasn't as eager. The deeper they went, the stronger the sense of foreboding became, like a dark presence watching from the shadows.
Kael suddenly held up a hand, signaling them to stop. "Something's moving underground. Big. It's circling us."
They formed a tight circle, ready for anything. Aren could feel his heart pounding, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Then, without warning, the ground beneath them rumbled.
A massive beast burst from the earth—a guardian with stone-like scales and eyes that glowed with a crimson light. It roared, shaking the trees, and the forest itself seemed to tremble in response.
Aren didn't hesitate. "Stay together! Focus on its legs—if we can destabilize it, it'll be easier to take down!"
As they engaged the guardian, Aren couldn't help but wonder—how many
more of these ancient creatures lay in wait? And what were they guarding so fiercely?