Campfire Trials & Spirit Watchers
Location: Mistwood Expanse – Ancient Guardian Ruins – Nightfall
The sky above the forest ridge dimmed into layers of indigo and ash-gray. A thin crescent moon peeked through the clouds, barely illuminating the moss-laced trees that creaked softly in the wind. Near the ruined circle of ancient stones, Kael finished setting up a compact barrier ward while Liora arranged herbs along the camp's perimeter—a quiet ritual for clarity and focus.
Anay stood nearby, watching the silent rhythm of their hands, learning even without instruction. His own bedroll was laid out neatly, gear sorted just like Liora had shown him. The light from the spirit lanterns cast long shadows between them, soft and flickering.
Kael leaned back against a rock, tossing Anay a canteen. "First day of the real world. Thoughts?"
Anay caught it easily and took a sip. "The city was loud. This place is... different. Like it's waiting."
"It is," Liora said quietly. "This forest watches everything. Listens to the ones who enter."
Anay tilted his head. "You make it sound alive."
Kael cracked a faint smile. "That's because it is."
But before any of them could speak again, the air shifted.
A sudden silence fell.
No wind. No insects. No leaves rustling.
Anay stiffened.
From the far side of the stone circle, dark shapes slipped between trees—low, snarling forms with luminous violet eyes. Wolves. But not ordinary. Their bodies flickered, half-solid, half-shadow. Spirit wolves.
Three. No, five.
Anay rose in a breath, hand going to his side instinctively. Kael and Liora stood frozen for a second—not in fear, but in something else. Anay glanced at them, puzzled.
Kael's hand gripped his blade, yet he didn't draw. Liora's brows furrowed deeply, her hand hovering near her vine-wrapped dagger.
The wolves growled, spreading around them.
Anay stepped forward.
"I'll engage first."
Kael didn't stop him.
As the nearest shadow wolf leapt, Anay ducked low and pivoted, landing a swift strike with his elemental pulse. The creature dissipated into mist with a sharp yelp. Two more came from the sides, and Anay moved smoothly, sweeping one back with a burst of wind and flipping over the other with a clean arc of spiritual force.
He didn't summon anything greater. He didn't need to.
Within moments, all five wolves were gone, melted into black vapor.
Anay stood breathing softly, his stance relaxed.
Silence returned, then a breeze passed through.
Kael nodded. "Well done."
But Liora didn't speak.
Anay looked at her. Her expression was still, but her jaw was tight. She turned and walked to the far side of the camp.
Anay followed a few steps, cautiously. "Something wrong?"
She didn't turn back. "I should've acted."
Kael answered from behind them, more casually, "You froze. It happens."
Liora clenched her hands. "Not to me."
The firelight danced between them. Anay stood still.
He said nothing more. Not out of fear, but respect. And perhaps understanding.
They let the night settle back in, silence growing deeper.
But something had shifted.
Not in the forest.
Among them.
The Wild Will Break or Build You
Location: Mistwood Expanse – Temporary Camp
The shadow wolves had long since vanished, their scorched and slashed remains dissolving into mist as if they were never truly real. The forest fell quiet again, save for the low crackle of a newly lit fire near the old stone circle. The trio had set up camp as the sky turned a dusky amber.
Kael crouched beside the flames, sharpening a blade of wind crystal while roasting skewers of seasoned root meat over the fire. Liora, however, sat on a moss-covered stone some distance away, her expression clouded, fingers tightly clasped.
Anay sat across from Kael, watching the fire flicker between them. His mind was still replaying the fight.
The beasts had attacked fast — too fast — but what struck him more wasn't the battle… it was the way Kael and Liora had hesitated.
They had watched.
Letting him fight.
Testing him.
And he'd held his ground. His form clean. His instincts sharp.
But why had Liora looked almost… frustrated?
Kael broke the silence.
"First blood in the wild. You held up."
Anay nodded, voice quiet. "But… you didn't help."
Kael smirked, tossing him a roasted skewer. "Wouldn't be a test if we carried you through it."
Liora's voice came, low and sharp. "But he still made four mistakes."
Anay turned, surprised.
She stood and walked forward, eyes cold as ice.
"You flared your energy too soon. You pivoted on your back foot before committing to the strike. You let the second wolf circle around you for five full seconds—"
"I was aware of it—" Anay began, but Liora cut him off.
"You knew, but didn't act. Awareness isn't enough if it doesn't lead to execution."
Anay's shoulders stiffened. He wasn't angry. Not quite. But something in him bristled.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Easy, snow queen. Let the boy eat first."
Liora inhaled, steadied herself, then walked past them both. She stopped at the edge of the ruined stone circle and looked up at the sky.
Anay took a bite, chewing slowly. The food was decent. Tangy with forest herbs. But his mind stayed on Liora's words.
Was she right?
Probably.
But it didn't stop the sting.
Kael spoke again, quieter this time. "She trains harder than anyone I've ever met. Lost more than most. You'll understand in time. For now, take her lessons seriously."
Anay didn't respond at first. Then he looked up.
"I want to be trained. No holding back."
Kael smiled. "Good."
Location: Morning – Mistwood Ridge – First Training Cycle
The next day began before the sun rose.
Kael whistled sharply through the camp.
"Up! On your feet, warrior-boy. This forest doesn't wait for your dreams."
Anay groaned but got up, shaking off the cold. Liora was already awake, her cloak off, arms bare, vines coiled softly around her wrists like living bracelets.
Today, the real training began.
"Lesson one," Kael said, tossing a weighted wooden rod at Anay. "Endurance under spiritual pressure."
He clapped, and a pulse echoed from his chest — a wind crystal burst. Suddenly, the air grew heavy, as if gravity itself had doubled. Anay staggered.
"What is—"
Liora walked calmly through it. "This is our natural field. If you can't stand in it, you'll die outside the cities."
Anay gritted his teeth and rose.
Kael gestured to a distant boulder. "Carry that up the ridge. Then back down. Don't drop it. And don't use your powers."
"What—"
"Run."
Hours Passed – Noon
Anay's shoulders burned. His lungs felt like they were being scrubbed with fire. But he didn't stop.
He carried the boulder again and again, slipping in mud, stumbling over vines, nearly collapsing once.
Liora watched silently, arms crossed.
Kael occasionally shouted, "Back straight! Chin up! That rock's your new girlfriend!"
By the fifth trip, Anay's knees buckled—and he fell.
But instead of hitting the ground, a vine caught his back. Liora stepped beside him.
"You didn't complain once."
Anay panted, "Wasn't worth the energy."
She helped him up gently. Then whispered, barely audible:
"Good."
Evening – Campfire Again
The night was quieter.
Kael taught him breathing patterns—how to regulate aura with each inhale. Liora showed him how to listen, not just with his ears, but with his skin. How spiritual beasts disturb wind currents. How silence sometimes screams.
By the end of the night, Anay lay staring at the stars.
Tired.
But fulfilled.
To be continued…