The mission's creeping closer, and our training's been going better than I ever imagined. I can feel the excitement buzzing in my chest, a wild energy that makes my hands itch for action.
But there's one thing that keeps nagging at me—I can't figure out Lucior. He's always off on his own, training alone, his face blank like he's hiding a whole world of secrets. I want to know more, but he doesn't give me a chance to even ask.
Eran gathered us yesterday and said we're leaving the academy three days before the mission to hit the perfect timing for the Den's gate opening. I couldn't help but ask why three days exactly.
"The mountain's massive, Vitrit," he said, his voice steady but heavy with warning. "And demons guard the Den to keep warriors out." I scrunched my nose, still curious. "Why not go seven or eight days early, then?" Eran's icy eyes locked onto mine, sharp as a blade. "Waiting outside the gate that long is just begging for death," he snapped. My stomach dropped, a cold shiver running down my spine, and I shut my mouth.
A few days ago, during training, Eran handed each of us a sword, its blade glinting under the sun like it was forged from starlight. "These were crafted for Kshatra members," he said, his voice brimming with pride as he held one up. "They channel your energy perfectly and are unbreakable. They're called Kswords." I gripped mine, feeling a surge of power as my energy flowed into it, the sword humming like it was alive, an extension of me. We trained hard, and everything clicked—our movements sharper, our strikes stronger, the air ringing with the clash of blades.
Today's the second-to-last day before we leave. Four days from now, the Den gate opens. Training went smoothly, but at the end, Eran pulled me aside. "Meet me in my room, Vitrit. Alone," he said, his tone low and serious. My heart skipped a beat, a nervous flutter in my chest, and I nodded.
When I stepped into his room, the air felt thick, charged with a strange energy that made my skin prickle. Eran stood by his desk, holding a red glowing book—The Arcane Ledger, its title pulsing like a heartbeat, casting faint crimson light across the room. He waved me over. "Come closer," he said, his voice calm but firm. I shuffled to his side, my eyes darting to the book. He asked for a paper from my body. I didn't hesitate—my Origami Clan power hummed as I focused, my right arm shimmering and folding into a delicate paper flower, its petals soft and glowing faintly. I plucked a single petal from the flower and handed it to him, the paper warm in my palm.
Eran set the book down, picked up a quill, and drew a strange symbol on the petal with red glowing ink that seemed to writhe on the surface, alive with power. "Put it back on your body," he instructed. I pressed the petal against my skin, feeling it melt into me, a warm tingle spreading through my arm.Then, pain exploded inside me. I gasped, my body transforming into paper, scattering into the air like a blizzard of white flakes, each piece shimmering with a faint red glow. An enchantment surged through them, binding them together, a searing heat coursing through every fragment. My vision blurred, my heart pounding, and then—after what felt like an eternity—my body reformed with a sharp snap.
I stumbled, catching my breath, my skin feeling lighter, stronger, like I was made of steel. "What… what just happened?" I stammered, my voice trembling. Eran's eyes glinted with a mix of pride and caution. "That was the Adamant Tome," he said. "A rare Origami Clan enchantment to harden your paper body. Now your paper can cut through mountains—if you have the energy to wield it." I clenched my fists, the new strength coursing through me. I felt unbreakable, like I could face anything.
The next morning after meeting offlia she wished good luck and adviced to trust on each other we leave the academy.
Eran , me, ryoshi, akriya , and lucior stood at the base of Crimsonfang Mountain, its jagged peak piercing the sky like a blade. The air was crisp, and my teammates' eyes sparkled with excitement, their Kswords gleaming at their sides. I felt it too—a fire in my chest, ready to take on whatever this mountain threw at us. Our training had boosted our confidence, and we were ready.
If I had to rank us by power, Lucior's the strongest after Eran. He doesn't train with us, but I've seen him practicing alone—his dash is a blur, lightning crackling around him, and his thunder attack hits with a boom that shakes the ground, sparks flying like a storm. It's incredible, but it makes me wonder why he keeps his distance.
Eran stepped forward, his cloak billowing in the wind, and began explaining the climb. "This mountain is 16 kilometers high," he said, his voice cutting through the morning chill. "The first four kilometers are safe—people can visit for necessities.
The next eight kilometers belong to the tribes. They don't let outsiders in, and their area is protected by a special shield, a technique only they know. Normal demons can't enter, but the upper four demons—ancient beings that existed before the Den's creation—can. They've been inactive since the Second Human-Demonic War 25 years ago, though.
"He paused, his gaze sweeping over us.
"Every 10 years, the tribes perform a ritual with an ancient book, the day before the Den opens. It's to thank their goddess for protection and life, a sacred tradition tied to the Den's origins—their ritual channels the goddess's power to unlock the Den's gate, a pact which is written in a book that they use for ritual.
That's the only day they allow warriors into their area to reach the Den for weapons to protect humanity. Their shielded region is the safest place to rest at night—no normal demons can get in.
" He pointed higher, his expression darkening. "Beyond those eight kilometers lies the Dark Forest—the most dangerous area. That's where the demons live, hunting warriors to protect the Den's weapons." I tightened my grip on my Ksword, the weight of his words sinking in, my heart racing with a mix of fear and determination.
We set off up Crimsonfang Mountain, the first four kilometers stretching ahead of us like a warm-up. Eran led the way, his steps steady, while the rest of us followed, Kswords strapped to our sides, the morning sun filtering through the dense trees.
The air was cool, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the path was wide enough for us to walk side by side. It felt almost peaceful, like a hike with friends, but I knew better—this was just the calm before the storm. Still, my new strength from the Adamant Tome made me feel lighter, like I could take on anything, and I couldn't help but grin as I glanced at my teammates.
As we climbed higher, a rustling in the bushes made my heart jump. I froze, my hand flying to my Ksword, my eyes darting to the shadows. "Did you hear that?" I whispered, my voice tight. Ryoshi turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Hear what, Vitrit?" I swallowed hard, my pulse racing. "I… I think something's following us. Like a demon or something." akriya snorted, not even looking at me, his voice cold. "You're imagining things, vitrit." I glared at him, my cheeks burning, but the rustling came again—closer this time. I spun around, ready to summon a paper blade, but… nothing. Just a rabbit darting up a tree, its tiny claws scratching the bark.
I let out a shaky laugh, my shoulders slumping. "Okay, maybe I'm just jumpy," I muttered, but I couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on my back. I spotted a tree heavy with bright red fruits, their skins glistening in the sunlight. "Hey, let's grab some of those!" I called, already jogging over. Ryoshi smirked, following me. "Only if I get the biggest one," he said, his tone teasing. We started climbing the tree, laughing as we tossed fruits down to the others. I used my Origami Clan power to fold a paper hand, stretching it up to pluck a fruit from a high branch, and tossed it to Eran, who caught it with a rare smile.Then I noticed Akriya standing a few steps away, his hands glowing with a soft green light. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a small tree from the ground, its branches sprouting rapidly, heavy with fruits. He stepped onto a branch, plucking several at once with a quiet chuckle, tossing them down to us with ease. I stared, wide-eyed—his power was amazing! Even Lucior joined in, though he stayed on the ground, slicing a fruit in half with a quick flash of lightning from his hand, the air crackling with his power. "Show-off," Ryoshi muttered under his breath, loud enough for Lucior to hear. Lucior's eyes narrowed, a spark of electricity flickering at his fingertips. "Say that again, time boy," he growled, stepping closer. Ryoshi's hand twitched toward his own Ksword, his jaw tight. "I said, you're a show-off," he repeated, his voice icy. I jumped down between them, holding up my hands. "Guys, come on! We're supposed to be a team!" They glared at each other for a moment longer before Lucior turned away, muttering something I couldn't hear, and Ryoshi scoffed, biting into his fruit.We kept moving, the tension between Ryoshi and Lucior simmering like a storm waiting to break. The first four kilometers passed quickly, the path winding through the forest, the sounds of birds and rustling leaves keeping us company. I munched on my fruit, the sweet juice dripping down my chin, but my eyes kept scanning the shadows, still half-expecting a demon to leap out.
Nothing came, though, and as we reached the four-kilometer mark, I caught my breath at the sight ahead—the tribes' shielded region shimmered just in front of us, a faint golden barrier rippling in the air like a mirage, marking the edge of their territory. A mix of relief and anticipation surged through me. We'd made it through the easy part, but the real challenge was about to begin.