Location: Mistpine Nature Reserve – School Trip
The team had almost forgotten what normal felt like.
Hiking trails. Bonfires. A little peace.
Kael (stretching): "Nice to fight mosquitoes instead of monsters."Zayn: "Statistically, mosquitoes are more dangerous."Jett (grinning): "I'm dangerously charming, too, but no one's running from me."
🟨 Rayna rolled her eyes. 🌸 Lyra chuckled.
Later – Campfire Circle
Jett juggled marshmallows on fire sticks, telling a wild (and mostly fake) story about how he saved a kid from a runaway ATV.
Jett: "So there I was, shirt ripped, storm in the background—"
???: "Did you catch it with one hand or two?"
The voice came from behind the group. A girl in a black hoodie, sharp smile, silver hair, and amber eyes.She wasn't a student—but somehow, she fit right in.
Jett (grinning): "Depends. You impressed either way?"
She smirked.
Girl: "That depends. You always burn your marshmallows or just your ego?"
The others watched cautiously—but Jett was very into the banter.
Jett (offering her a seat): "Name's Jett. You?"Girl (smiling): "Call me… Nyra."
Elsewhere – In the Woods
A strange energy pulsed through the trees. Wildlife fled. Shadows twisted unnaturally.
Zevor (monitoring remotely): "Unusual surge detected. Proximity—Jett's location."
Back at Camp
As the others drifted to bed, Jett and "Nyra" remained by the fire.
Jett: "You've got a vibe. Mysterious. Dangerous. I like it."Nyra (leaning closer): "Careful, Jett. You might like it too much."
Her eyes glowed for just a second—amber flashing red.
And deep in the trees, something massive stirred… drawn to her presence.
Mistpine Forest – Midnight
The campfire had burned low. Jett still leaned back on a log, grinning as "Nyra" sat closer.
Jett (smirking): "So… mysterious forest girl shows up, laughs at my jokes, and hasn't tried to eat me yet. That's progress."
Before she could answer, a voice cut through the trees.
Rayna: "You're late for patrol check-in. Zevor's getting twitchy."
Rayna stepped into the clearing, arms crossed.
Nyra's eyes narrowed. The air grew cold.
Nyra: "Who's this?"Jett (nervous laugh): "Rayna, this is Nyra. She's… cool. Mysterious. Definitely not a threat."
Rayna (dryly): "Right. And I'm the Tooth Fairy."
Nyra stood—her body glowing with dark energy. Her hoodie tore apart, revealing void-slicked armor and claws crackling with corrupted energy.
Nyra (snarling): "You always ruin things. He's mine. Back. Off."
Chains of shadow shot from her hands, wrapping around Jett, pinning him to a tree.
Jett (struggling): "Okay! Not into this kind of flirting!"
Rayna: "You're seriously jealous? Of me?"
Nyra raised a claw—ready to strike.
Rayna (flat): "Relax. I'm not interested in him. I'm interested in stopping you."
Nyra's eyes flickered with rage. Then she smiled.
Nyra: "Too late."
She snapped her fingers—chains surged toward Rayna, ensnaring her too. In a flash of shadow and wind, they vanished.
Back at Camp – Seconds Later
Kael burst into the clearing, weapon drawn. Lyra and Zayn close behind.
Kael: "Where are they?!"Zayn (scanning): "Void signature—just disappeared off the grid."Lyra (quietly): "She took them."
Kael's hands tightened into fists.
Kael: "Then we're getting them back."