"Nothing."Leo sighed, crouching on his haunches with his mouth wide open as loud pants echoed through the dense forest. He had been walking since morning, and it had long dawned on him that expecting to reach the Night by afternoon had been a stupid prediction—possibly the most stupid he'd ever made.
The endless stretch of trees confirmed a grim truth: he hadn't even left the Green Mountains. It was frustrating—painfully frustrating.
Seeking refuge under the shade of a massive oak, Leo sniffed the air, desperate for any scent—humans, elves, dwarves, anything that could help him procure a horse.
"Still nothing," he muttered, nose wrinkling at the myriad smells of forest flora and fauna. The disappointment was carved into his face, all the more evident in his human form. Closing his eyes, he allowed the sweat to trickle freely down his cheeks, taking deep breaths to cool off.
"Gotta keep moving," he muttered, crouching to shift into his panther form once more.
Nothing happened.
Leo stared down at the human limbs that greeted him and cursed. "This hasn't happened in a long time," he muttered, resting his back against the tree. "Why did she even do this?"
The silent forest had no answers. A yawn escaped him—long and tired. "When was the last time I slept?" Another yawn followed. Before he could even think about it, sleep dragged him into its depths.
"It seems you are forgetting something."
Leo's eye opened in a dream-like darkness, blinking rapidly as he searched for the voice.
"Am I dreaming? Where am I?" he called out.
Silence.
"Who's there?" he asked again.
Finally, a voice replied, soft and sharp.
"For a student, you can be quite forgetful."
A low growl rumbled in his throat. "Unbelievable. Is that all you have to say, teacher?"
A melodic laugh rang out.
"What else am I supposed to say?"
"An apology would be a good start," Leo snapped. "And where are we?"
"Your consciousness," Alicia replied calmly. "And I don't see what I should be sorry for."
"Never mind. Just send me back."
"Why would I do that?" Her voice grew playful. "You're not done with your lesson."
"I've seen my mana signature. What more is there?"
"Really?" Alicia sounded amused. "Like I didn't already know. I came to see it for myself."
"Then ask away. What color?"
"A bright azure," Leo answered with pride.
A pause.
"Interesting," Alicia murmured. "It resembled a signature I saw once before."
Leo's ears perked, but she said nothing more.
"Time to see your progress."
"Damn!" Leo jerked upright, blinking into the darkness. "This isn't funny! I have an event tomorrow!"
"Was making sure the coast was clear," Alicia said, her voice distant. "What I'm teaching you could get both of us killed."
Leo's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Because the people who used these techniques are now extinct," she said calmly.
Leo raised a brow.
"Okay—almost extinct," she amended with a grin.
"Proceed," she gestured.
"How exactly? You can see signatures too?"
"I've been tracking mana since before you were born," Alicia said, folding her arms. "How I see it shouldn't concern you."
Leo shrugged and focused. Taking a deep breath, he repeated what he had done the night before. Threads of mana surged into his core, filling him with warmth and radiating energy. He exhaled slowly. A calm wave washed over him, and his perception shifted.
"Interesting," Leo whispered. Everything glowed—trees, rocks, even Alicia. Her aura shimmered a deeper shade of blue than his. Her body pulsed with mana in thick, vibrant concentrations.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Alicia's voice cut through the calm.
"You've done well," she added, clapping.
Leo grinned at the compliment but quickly turned serious.
"Before we go, a few questions."
"Go ahead."
"How did you enter my dreams?"
Alicia's smile widened. "I'm a succubus haunting the dreams of young men."
Leo rolled his eye. "For an ancient mage, you're incredibly immature."
"Just lightening the mood. At least now you're not trying to kill me."
"Seriously."
"Fine. It's a type of telepathy my mother taught me. Sadly, I can't teach you."
"Alright," Leo said, moving on. "What exactly are you?"
Alicia paused, eyes narrowing.
"Not the time."
"Why not?"
"You're not strong enough," she said flatly. "The knowledge you seek would only place a bigger target on your back."
Leo bit back a retort. He'd seen her strength firsthand. Arguing wouldn't help.
"I need to get stronger."
"Will that be all?"
He nodded. Together, they walked until they reached a small clearing.
"Keep your guard up tomorrow night," Alicia said, her voice laced with concern. "I have a feeling Draghyr might still pay the Phoenix another visit."
Leo nodded, though he doubted it. Security would be at its highest—every Immortal-ranked mage, over two hundred assassins from the Night, and thousands of guards patrolling all four kingdoms.
"Still, don't get too comfortable."
"Very well. See you at the Valor Ball, teacher."
"Tomorrow night then." She smiled, raising two fingers as a golden portal opened.
"Finally," Leo muttered.
Crouching low, he shifted into his panther form. With one last glance at Alicia, the midnight blue beast leaped through the portal, racing through meadows until he stood before a towering obsidian gate.
"It's good to be home."
---
Elsewhere...
A castle steeped in malevolent mana loomed beneath a crimson sky.
A dark green-armored knight knelt before an ominous throne.
"You sent for me, my lord."
"RISE!" the thunderous voice of Draghyr shook the very walls.
The knight stood, silent.
"The time has come, Komodo," Draghyr rumbled, leaning forward with a wicked grin.
"For our race to walk the Forever Realm once more."
Komodo bowed, a red tongue flickering from his helm. "Your will is my command, master."
His smile widened, revealing rows of sword-like teeth.
The chaos had begun.