Night had fallen over the academy, casting long shadows that danced in the flickering lamplight. Aren lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts too restless to allow sleep. Sharu was curled up beside him, the rhythmic rise and fall of his tiny chest a comforting presence.
The weight of their discovery pressed on Aren's mind. The corrupted beasts, the failing seals, and the academy's evasiveness—it all pointed to something much bigger than he could grasp. He couldn't help but wonder if his bond with Sharu was more than just fate—it felt almost like destiny.
A soft knock at the window pulled Aren from his thoughts. He sat up, peering into the darkness. A pair of familiar amber eyes met his—a signal from Lyra. Quietly, he slipped out of bed, opened the window, and let her climb in, followed closely by Aric and Dorian.
Aric gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry for the late-night visit. We couldn't sleep."
Dorian huffed, crossing his arms. "Like hell I'm going to sit around doing nothing. We need to plan our next move."
Lyra nodded. "I saw a few of the judges heading toward the forest earlier. They were carrying something wrapped in cloth—looked heavy."
Aren frowned. "They're preparing for something. Maybe they know the core seal is weakening."
Before anyone could respond, another knock came, this time at the door. Liora's voice whispered from the other side. "Aren, are you awake?"
He quickly let her in, and she slipped inside, looking just as tense as the others. "Mira just sent me a message. She found something important."
They hurried to the library, careful to avoid the patrols. Mira was waiting in the back, surrounded by books, her eyes bright despite the late hour.
"I think I've found a clue," she whispered, showing them a map. "This is a rough layout of the forest's seal network. There are five primary points, and the core seal is in the center. The problem is, this map is at least a hundred years old—some of the landmarks have changed."
Aric scratched his head. "So, we could be looking for something that doesn't exist anymore?"
Mira shook her head. "The core seal is near the old temple ruins. If the seals are breaking, that place is the epicenter."
Dorian slammed his fist into his palm. "Then that's where we go. Tonight."
Aren hesitated. "If we go now, we'll be breaking the lockdown. We'll be expelled if we're caught."
Lyra's expression hardened. "If we don't go, there might not be an academy left to expel us from. We can't just sit by while the forest falls apart."
Liora glanced at Sharu. "If Sharu's energy can stabilize the core, we need to get him there. The longer we wait, the worse it'll get."
Aren took a deep breath. "Alright. We'll head out. But we'll need to be careful—the judges are already suspicious."
Mira handed him a small vial. "This is a suppressant. It'll mask Sharu's energy for a few hours, just in case they're tracking him. Use it sparingly."
Aren nodded. "Thanks, Mira. If we're not back by morning—"
She cut him off. "You'll be back. Just be careful."
---
Sneaking out of the academy was easier than they expected—most of the guards were focused on the forest entrance. Aren led the way, Sharu padding softly beside him. The air was heavy, saturated with an unnatural stillness.
They moved through the dense underbrush, guided by the map Mira had sketched. Dorian stayed at the rear, keeping watch, while Lyra's falcon scouted ahead. Liora walked beside Aren, her Ice Wolf's ears twitching at every sound.
As they reached the first marker on the map, a low growl echoed through the trees. Dorian's lion bristled, growling back.
"Something's nearby," Dorian muttered, tightening his grip on his spear.
Aric glanced around, his Salamander's flames dimming to a cautious glow. "Corrupted?"
Before Aren could answer, the ground trembled. From the darkness, two shadowy forms appeared—a pair of corrupted bears, their eyes glowing with an eerie green light. Their fur was matted, and blackened veins pulsed beneath their skin.
"They're guarding the path," Liora whispered.
Dorian grinned. "Then we just have to move them."
The bears charged simultaneously, but Aren reacted first. "Sharu, hit them from the side!"
Sharu darted to the left, his silver light slicing through the shadows, forcing one bear to veer off course. Aric's Salamander followed up with a torrent of flames, scorching the ground and leaving a burning trail.
Lyra's falcon dove, striking at the second bear's back, while Dorian's lion launched a shockwave, staggering the creature. The bears retaliated, one swiping at Liora's wolf, but it nimbly dodged, retaliating with an icy breath that froze the ground beneath the beast's paws.
Aren called out to his team, "Drive them back, but don't waste too much energy! We can't afford to be exhausted when we reach the temple."
It took several coordinated strikes, but the corrupted bears finally collapsed, their bodies dissolving into dark mist. The group paused to catch their breath, scanning the area for more threats.
Dorian wiped sweat from his brow. "That was too close. If every point is this well-guarded, we're in for a fight."
Aren took a step forward, his determination renewed. "Then we'll fight. We've come this far—we can't turn back now."
They pressed on, the path growing steeper as they neared the center of the forest. Ancient trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. A strange hum vibrated through the air, growing louder with each step.
Finally, they reached the clearing where the temple once stood. Now, it was nothing but crumbled stone and overgrown roots. In the center, a massive stone slab marked the core seal, pulsing faintly with a sickly green light.
Liora knelt by the stone, brushing away moss. "It's weakening fast. We need to act before it breaks completely."
A sudden howl pierced the air—a sound that resonated with pure malice. From the shadows emerged a colossal corrupted wolf, its body warped and twisted, far larger than any they had seen before. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and dark mist seeped from its maw.
Aren stepped forward, steeling himself. "This is it. If we can't beat this thing, the seal will break for good."
Sharu growled, his fur bristling as silver energy crackled around him. Lyra moved beside Aren, her falcon landing on her shoulder.
Aric set his jaw, his Salamander flaring with renewed vigor. "Then let's put it down. Together."
As the corrupted wolf lunged, the forest seemed to hold its breat
h. They would face this beast, protect the seal, and uncover the truth—no matter the cost.