The aftermath of the battle left the group uneasy. The corrupted warg's body had faded into mist, leaving behind nothing but disturbed ground and the faint, lingering scent of decay. Lance wiped sweat from his brow, his gryphon ruffling its feathers with a low screech.
Kael's serpent curled around his arm, its dark scales glinting in the dim light. He glanced warily at Lance before speaking.
"We can't keep fighting each other. Someone's clearly setting us up."
Lance scoffed, though his tone was less hostile.
"No kidding. But why us? Why target the top students?"
Aren stepped forward, his eyes narrowed in thought.
"Maybe because the academy relies on us to deal with threats. If we're divided or distracted, the real enemy can act without interference."
Lyra folded her arms, her falcon peering at the spot where the warg had been.
"Whoever is doing this knows how to manipulate both people and beasts. The corrupted energy doesn't just happen on its own."
Dorian grunted.
"Then we need to find out who's behind it. No more running in circles. If someone's trying to mess with the academy, we hit back."
Aric scratched his head, his Salamander yawning despite the tense atmosphere.
"But how do we find them? We've been chasing shadows since this started."
Liora spoke up, her Ice Wolf sitting attentively by her side.
"If we want answers, we should start by figuring out how the corruption spreads. The seals are supposed to contain it. If they're being tampered with, there must be traces left behind."
Mira appeared from the treeline, having heard the end of their conversation.
"You're right, Liora. I just received a report from another patrol—there's been an unusual gathering of beasts near the north watchtower. They seem agitated, almost as if being herded."
Aren's gaze sharpened.
"Could that be related to the seals? Maybe someone's trying to concentrate corruption in one place."
Mira nodded.
"It's possible. I need your teams to investigate. But be careful—if it's a trap, don't engage without backup. I'll send a message to the other instructors to reinforce the watchtower."
Lance glanced at Kael, his animosity tempered.
"We'll work together this time. No more infighting."
Kael smirked.
"Just don't slow me down, Vermilion."
Dorian rolled his eyes.
"Let's move before they change their minds."
---
As they approached the northern watchtower, the forest grew dense and quiet. Even the usual chirping of birds had ceased. A prickling sensation crawled up Aren's spine, and Sharu pressed closer to his side.
Lyra's falcon soared ahead, scouting the path. Suddenly, it let out a piercing cry, circling back. Lyra's eyes widened.
"It saw something. A large group moving together."
Dorian tightened his grip on his spear.
"Corrupted beasts?"
Lyra shook her head.
"No...humans. Several of them."
Aren signaled for silence as they crept closer. Peering through the foliage, they spotted a group of figures in dark, tattered cloaks gathered near the base of the watchtower. Several corrupted beasts surrounded them—wolves, bears, and even a massive, tusked boar.
One of the cloaked figures stepped forward, raising a hand. A swirling black mist formed around him, and the beasts snarled, their eyes glowing with crimson light.
"Witness the power of the dark resonance," the figure intoned. "The academy will fall, and with it, the era of harmony between beasts and man!"
Lance cursed under his breath.
"Dark resonance? What are they talking about?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Some kind of twisted beast control. If they can amplify corruption, they can manipulate the creatures directly."
Aren felt his pulse quicken.
"We need to stop them before they unleash those beasts on the academy. But we're outnumbered."
Liora glanced at Sharu, her voice calm but urgent.
"If Sharu's resonance can disrupt their control, it might buy us time."
Aren looked down at Sharu, who seemed to sense the gravity of the situation.
"Think you can do it?"
Sharu gave a determined yip, his silver fur shimmering faintly.
---
Aren signaled to the others.
"We'll hit them fast. Kael, Lance, flank from the sides. Aric, Dorian, hit their center. Lyra and Liora, support from a distance. Sharu and I will disrupt their resonance."
With coordinated precision, the group moved. Aric's Salamander spewed a wave of fire, forcing the cloaked figures to scatter. The boar charged toward Dorian, but his Shockwave Lion intercepted, releasing a concussive roar that sent it skidding backward.
Lyra's falcon unleashed a shadowy whirlwind, blinding a pair of wolves, while Liora's Ice Wolf froze the ground, causing one of the cultists to slip and fall.
Aren and Sharu focused on the lead figure, whose hands glowed with dark energy. The man smirked, directing a massive bear toward them.
"You can't stop the awakening! The shadows will consume all!"
Sharu released a burst of silvery light, and the bear halted, shaking its head as if disoriented. The cultist's eyes widened.
"What... What is that power?"
Aren didn't waste time.
"Now, Sharu!"
The small beast let out a piercing howl, the sound cutting through the corrupted resonance like a knife. The nearby beasts hesitated, their aggression fading. The cultist stumbled, clutching his head.
"No! You're disrupting the harmony! This shouldn't be possible!"
Lance's gryphon swooped down, snatching the man's staff and snapping it in half. The dark mist dissipated, and the remaining beasts fled into the forest, freed from their control.
Kael grabbed the cultist by his collar, pinning him against a tree.
"Who sent you? What's your goal?"
The man laughed weakly, blood trickling from his mouth.
"It's too late... The seal of harmony is already faltering. Soon, the primal heart will awaken... and darkness will reclaim the world."
His body went limp, the remnants of dark energy flickering before fading completely. Lance cursed, kicking the ground.
"Damn it. Another dead end."
Aren looked at Sharu, his mind racing.
"If they're targeting the primal heart... it must be some central point keeping the entire forest's balance intact."
Liora nodded slowly.
"If that's corrupted, it wouldn't just threaten the forest—the whole region could fall into chaos."
Mira's voice cut through their contemplation as she arrived with reinforcements.
"What happened here?"
Aren filled her in on the encounter, his concern evident.
"They mentioned the primal heart. Do you know what it is?"
Mira's face paled.
"It's a legendary core deep within the forest, believed to be the source of the forest's balance. If it falls, the corruption could spread uncontrollably."
Dorian let out a frustrated growl.
"So they're not just attacking at random—they're aiming to break the heart itself."
Mira set her jaw.
"Then we'll prepare for the worst. We'll mobilize every capable fighter. If the primal heart is their target, we'll make sure they don't reach it."
Aren couldn't help but glance at Sharu, whose abilities seemed inexplicably linked to the seals.
Whatever lay ahead, one thin
g was clear: this was no longer just a simple challenge. They were about to face the true darkness lurking within the forest's heart.