The following days went by without incident. Life at the academy returned to its familiar pattern, with classes and training keeping everyone busy. Isshin, Rune, and Karin devoted themselves to refining their skills and mentally preparing for the tournament. Their comprehension of cultivation increased, and their teamwork improved daily.
A month or so afterward, there were rumors circulating about a new cave discovered up north. The academy promptly enough confirmed the rumors—a massive underground cave had indeed been discovered, and they planned to use it as a learning opportunity. Officially, it was so that they could teach students about monsters and raw cultivation materials. Unofficially, everyone was aware that it was a chance for the academy to use students as free labor under the guise of exploration.
However, precautions were being taken. If anything did happen, especially to students of noble blood, the academy would face consequences. So, each expedition group was carefully selected—groups of twenty students, a mix of first and second years, and accompanied by an experienced instructor.
Isshin, Rune, and Karin were all put in the same group with a few others. They spent a week training and then headed towards the cave with their instructor.
As they got there, a chilly wind greeted them at the cave's opening. The farther they went inside, the more profound darkness surrounded them. The teacher called forth a floating qi sphere—a dim white glow that floated in front of them, creating foreboding shadows on the rugged walls.
The party advanced in virtual silence, the tension broken by an occasional nervous giggle or odd whisper. The air in the cave was split by a shriek as a winged creature burst forth from the darkness, claws extended.
The teacher moved swiftly, calling upon a blade of ice in his hand and hurling it forth. The creature dropped mid-air.
And more came.
An entire cloud of bat-like creatures poured out of the darkness. Swords and spells were unleashed, and the cavern blazed in bursts of blue, gold, and crimson.
Isshin acted with speed and precision, utilizing his thunder-charged blows to cut through the mayhem. Rune concentrated on experimenting with his sword form, going for precision rather than strength. Karin charged her movement with qi, darting amongst the enemies and cutting them down with crisp blows.
The battle was short. The group worked together in sync well, and the cave was silent again shortly.
Breathing heavy, they moved deeper.
They finally reached a large chamber lined with sparkling crystal veins—raw qi crystals embedded deep in the stone. Their instructor inspected them with narrowed eyes.
These can be refined into high-grade qi pills," he grumbled. "This cave is worth more than they're letting on.".
Before she had time to move, something fell from the top—falling with a soft plop onto Karin's shoulder. She recoiled away with a scream of terror. It was a snake.
But it wasn't alone.
Still more came out of cracks and crevices—long, strong snakes, 7 or 8 feet long at least.
The teacher immediately moved in front of the students. "Stay back."
He lifted his hands and unleashed a mighty skill—"Thousand Freezes of Ice." Pointed icicles the size of spears erupted from the earth and shot towards the serpents, impaling some instantly. But more simply continued their relentless attack. The students joined in, doing what they could to help. "Karin—your left!" Isshin yelled, and she sidestepped just in time. Rune slew one that had assaulted a second-year student. The group fought with coordination and organization, and in a short but intense flurry, they eliminated the danger.
They stopped to catch their breath, the air still heavy with tension. They continued on, eventually coming to a massive cliff. There was only one way across—a narrow ledge carved into the side of the rock. Below was nothing but blackness—a bottomless abyss.
They crossed one by one, warily, staying close to the wall, eyes fixed straight ahead.
After they crossed, they saw movement in the distance—bigger, more powerful monsters moving further into the cave.
The instructor did not pause. "We've observed enough. We're returning."
The group reversed direction, edging their way back carefully. The ledge was even narrower going back. The air was quiet, the stillness crushing.
Then—thud.
A subtle weight shift. A stumble.
Isshin?" Rune shouted, looking about the ledge.
There was no response.
They ran to the edge—but it was too late. Isshin had fallen. Plummeted into the void.
Karin stiffened. Rune's heart thudded. The teacher held them up, face stern.
They remained standing there, motionless, gazing into space. Not a word was spoken. The shining sphere overhead pulsed, sending long, quivering shadows across them. And still there was silence from below. Isshin was gone.