It started with a map and a warning.
"Students," said Professor Elric, waving a glowing scroll, "you are to navigate the Moonwood boundary as a team. No solo wanderings. No spell-flinging unless prompted. And absolutely no entering the Rift Glade."
Naturally, Kael grinned.
Naturally, Elior wanted to go home.
"I don't like the woods," he muttered, eyeing the silver-leafed trees that shimmered like they were whispering secrets.
"Relax," Kael said, adjusting his satchel. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"You always say that before something explodes."
"And yet you keep standing next to me."
"That's because you keep dragging me into danger."
Kael smirked. "You're welcome."
---
The forest air was thick with old enchantment. Spells clung to the leaves like mist. Occasionally, a root shifted or a bird chirped in three-part harmony. The students wandered in groups, taking notes, measuring leyline energy with floating compasses.
Kael didn't measure anything.
He followed a trail of glowing mushrooms because he "felt like it."
Elior followed him, because of course he did.
And that's when it happened.
A shimmer in the air. A ripple of strange heat.
Elior felt it before he saw it—something tugging at his magic, pulling at the thread of his emotions.
"Wait," he said, grabbing Kael's sleeve. "Do you feel that?"
Kael turned just as a shadow passed through the clearing.
Then—
Boom.
The ground cracked.
Elior yelped as his feet were swept out from under him and he tumbled—right into Kael. The two of them landed in a heap beside a ring of ancient stones pulsing with wild magic.
"Okay," Kael groaned. "That wasn't me."
"I know!" Elior snapped. "It's a distortion zone. The leyline's too active—this place was supposed to be sealed!"
They scrambled to their feet. The air shimmered again.
And then suddenly—
Elior couldn't feel anything.
No warmth, no heartbeat, no emotion.
He froze.
"Kael," he said, voice barely a whisper. "I can't feel my magic."
Kael stepped closer, alarm flaring behind his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"It's gone. It's just… gone."
Kael didn't hesitate. He grabbed Elior's hand—tight, grounding—and said, "Look at me."
Elior did. Kael's grip was warm, solid. Too real to be lost in this strange, empty numbness.
"You're still here," Kael said. "You hear me? You're still here. We're getting out of this."
Elior nodded shakily.
Together, they backed out of the stone ring.
With a flicker of sound, the air shifted. The numbness faded. Emotion came rushing back like a tide.
Elior gasped—and a burst of clover and poppy petals exploded from his palm.
"Okay," he croaked. "Okay, I can feel again. That was awful."
Kael looked like he might throw up. Or punch something.
"That zone—" Kael muttered. "It eats magic. Like a void. Why would the professors send us near that?"
Elior shook his head. "I don't think they meant to. Something's wrong with the boundaries."
Kael was quiet for a moment.
Then he said, "You panicked. And still pulled us out. That was... brave."
Elior snorted. "I squeaked like a field mouse."
"Sure, but a heroic field mouse."
Elior gave him a look. "If you ever write that in a report, I'll hex your hair green."
Kael grinned. "Noted."
---
Back at the academy, Professor Elric was not pleased to hear they'd strayed into a destabilized zone—though he seemed more annoyed than concerned.
"You're lucky the Rift Glade didn't swallow you whole," he grumbled.
Kael smirked. "But what a great learning experience, right?"
Elior elbowed him in the ribs.
Elric gave them both detention.
---
Later that night, while scrubbing enchanted ink off cauldron shelves for their punishment, Kael said, "You know… you were kind of cool today."
Elior looked up. "You mean sweaty and screaming?"
"I mean calm under pressure. Sharp. You didn't wait for someone to fix it—you acted."
Elior flushed. "Why are you being nice to me?"
Kael leaned casually against the wall. "I'm not. I'm just… stating facts."
A pause.
Then Kael added, "Also, I think you're weirdly growing on me."
"Like mold?"
"Exactly like mold."
Elior threw a sponge at his face.
It hit him square in the mouth.